Wow time flies!!

I’ve noticed my blog entry frequency is directly related to my access to my power outlet in my house. Yes, that is a singular outlet. It’s usually not a problem to use it but we’ve had my host grandmother living in our living room (again) for the past week and I feel a bit awkward trying to get around her to plug something in. She’s blind- it adds a bit of a challenge to the situation. Anyway, my computer is now charged and I have a few updates to make. First week of model school over and done with!! And I’m actually done teaching- all I have left to do is help lead a review lesson and proctor a test. I gave my last lesson today on HIV risks and preventions- the most awkward lesson I’ve ever has to present for sure, trying to explain breast milk and masturbation to eighth graders who don’t speak English. Needless to say, it was a fun 45 minutes and I’m definitely more comfortable talking about touchy subjects with my students.
So this last week was a bit rough in the weather department. It rained all day everyday for an entire week. It was insane because the rain wasn’t only constant but so heavy. The town I’m in is practically all soft dirt so with the rain, the mud was inches thick everywhere, so not only were all my clothes soaking wet for a week but also covered in mud. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted a dryer in my life. Thankfully the sun came out yesterday and I got to wash and dry a few key items for this week.
I named my spider (with seven legs) Stan. And he has two new spider friends that frequent my room (Cynthia and Sylvester). You know cabin fever (or something of that nature) has kicked in when you start naming the bugs and creatures that live in your room with you…
I saw two baby goats being born today! Amazing! On my way back from language class I stopped for a bit and watched them try to walk. They didn’t have too much success if that mama wasn’t helping them along. So adorable.
Today was Mae’s (my host sister) 16th birthday so we made American pizza, which actually turned out pretty great. My whole family was so excited to try it. Even if they didn’t love it they were still so into the fact that it was American food, not Mozambican, and therefore it just tasted better on principle. I’m thankful because as a cook I need a lot of practice. You know you’re cooking in Mozambique when you cut open a pepper and worms fall out but it doesn’t phase you. Or cockroaches crawl in and out of your oven while you’re baking pizza. These things have become routine for me. Speaking of cooking, I learned how to make cheese! And it’s delicious. Next is the home brewing lesson.
So almost two months here in country and it seems as though most things have become routine and I’m not noticing the craziness of daily life anymore. Lack of running water (or clean water for that matter), tractors driving down the main road, trying to hitch a ride on said tractors, people stopping on the side of the road to pop-a-squat (aka urinate in the middle of the street because they have decided waiting is too inconvenient). I did however take note of the peacocks trying to cross the road in Maputo, or trying to turn down a street to find a restaurant but instead saying “I don’t think it’s this one because there are men with guns.” Also my normal wake time is now 5am, which is absurd in relation to American time, but here 5am is normal and refreshing. Plus I get to see a beautiful sunrise every morning. I’m also spoiled in regards to the sunset, which sets behind my house, overlooking the rolling hills of Swaziland.

"Are we in South Africa?"

I was in three different countries this week!! We made the all-day-long hike up the mountain (if you can really even call it that…) where Mozambique, Swaziland and South Africa all meet. The day started out with a run and doing laundry, then 5 of us made the walk out of town. We definitely took the long way out, but it was gorgeous so no complaints. After about an hour and a half we came to a house- it was the weirdest thing (I thought). A food delivery truck was in the driveway and we could see they had a whole farm of animals. Three huge dogs ran from around the corner toward us, but they were harmless and adorable- the first non-mutts I’ve seen since coming here. Then a young girl came from around the corner of the house, and when she spoke in English we were all shocked. She was from South Africa, and in my confusion of how far we’d walked already, I asked “Are we in South Africa?” Apparently that was the funniest thing anyone had heard all day. But really, who knows how far the boarder really was, and it’s possible that there wouldn’t be a well defined country boarder… Needless to say, she said no so we continued on our hike. Another few hours of hiking (and beautiful views) we made it to our destination. For the record, there was not a well-defined boarder into South Africa. It was pretty cool to stand on the mountain and look around in all different directions and see three different countries. I can’t say that’s something I often have the opportunity to do. One for the record books for sure.
Also this weekend, I went with Lisa into Maputo and got dreads. Yes, dreadlocks (sorry mom). It took 8 hours from start to finish! But totally awesome and I love them. When in Africa!!
I started model school today- an adventure to say the least. It’s great to finally get in front of real Mozambican students who don’t yet know much English, but it was still so challenging. The students here are much different from those in the states. They’re taught to copy, memorize, and regurgitate, so trying to involve them in my lesson was a bit tough- like pulling teeth. It was the longest 45 minutes of my life. But I’m learning and I can only go up from here. Even through my frustration I’m told I had a good presence in front of the class, so at least I have my silver lining ;)
On a great note for the day I’m officially in the intermediate medio language level, meaning I know just enough to pass the language test and swear in! I had myself a bit worried about learning enough, so the confirmation today was a great relief.

Storms Away!!

I’m currently sitting through a lightning storm that’s been going on for about five hours at this point. It’s crazy! Growing up I didn’t experience many thunder storms but I absolutely love them (unless I’m trying to get home and scared of being hit by lightning- otherwise they’re great). It was an interesting walk home from Lisa’s house this evening- the lightning had started but for the time being the rain had slowed so I tried to get home quickly. I saw my first snake!! Scary when it’s pitch black outside and the only lights are my head lamp and flashes from the sky, and here goes a snake across the road in front of me. Thankfully he didn’t notice me and just continued on his way. When I got home, I walked into my room and was greeted by a frog that proceeded to jump around my room and hide under my bed. My host brother and sister found it hilarious that I was anything but happy to have a new friend. After the fiasco of getting him out of my room was over, I started to patch up my windows so water doesn’t come in tonight. More fun times. The rain has been coming down!! And lightning is lighting up my room which is pretty cool. It’s almost like a strobe light there’s so much. Thankfully I don’t have a tin roof like most other PCTs- it makes it tough to sleep when the rain is coming down this hard.

Site Visit

This past weekend we went on site visit, which was such a fabulous break and an exciting experience! I went up to Inhanbane province to visit a Moz 12 English teacher (I’m Moz 14 if I haven’t yet made that reference- we’re the 14th group to come to this country). We had a blast! The first day was spent traveling and then relaxing on the beach. The next few days were spend exploring the site of the volunteer I was visiting and learning about her job, her school, her home, how she got water to her house (because, of course, no running water here), where she goes to buy food… all the necessities. Her site was beautiful- right on the water, coconut and mango trees everywhere, sand roads, beautiful starry nights. It was all wonderful. I took my first bath outside- that was interesting. Me with my bucket and a head lamp in the backyard under the stars- what a site. At least the water was warm. It was a nice break from training and the constant work and activity that goes on here. My Portuguese definitely suffered a bit but I’m sure I can make that back up.

I learned to cook!!

End of week three we had a cooking day with our language groups- it was quite the experience! Five Americans, five host mothers/sisters, one current PCV and one teacher all working together to make chema, cove, and matapa, kill a chicken (kudos to Alice for killing it with the ridiculously dull butter knife- you’re stronger that I am), scrape out coconuts for leite de coco, and crush (or “pilar”) peanuts down to a fine powder. The finished products were amazingly delicious, and I learned a lot about every bit of the process, but I have a feeling I won’t be doing a lot of cooking like that once at my site- it took about 6 hours from start to eat time! I don’t have that kind of patience yet. Maybe eventually…
I’ve officially lost my ability to sleep in, which stinks. Without fail, by 6am I’m out of bed and doing something, be it jogging or studying or just wandering around. I think it’s all the chema I’m eating- I have way too much energy. That and the roosters that crow at all hours of the night.

Today was an AMAZING day, again. We spent all of today, like yesterday, learning about Permaculture and how to implement what we learn these two days at site. I have never been more excited about dirt and water in my life! I can’t wait to start a garden at my house and one in my community. It’s a simple technique that we’re learning, and it’s a great way to integrate ourselves into our communities in a way other than through our primary project (i.e. teaching). Also I’ll get to eat fresh veggies anytime I want!

Funny moment from this week- I was caught outside during a lightning storm, raining like crazy- and I was locked out of my house when I finally got home soaking wet. I had to run through the abandoned mansion that lives behind my house and through its deserted courtyard as lightning was flashing above me… slightly scared for my life but all worked out in the end. There ARE creepy crawlies that go bump in the night- I encountered more than I care to remember earlier this week. I do not plan on walking around after dark unless I absolutely have to. The word for thief in Bantu is “ninja” and this word alone has supplied many of us with constant jokes and entertainment (thank you Sam for dressing up as the ninja in our play- unforgettable). Parabens! (meaning congrats) is my new favorite word. Oh, and Presidential elections were held this week- the whole country practically shuts down for the day- no kids have school and many people don’t have work. It’s been interesting to learn a bit about Mozambican politics so far, and I’m interested to see how these next few weeks shake out.