Went up to Mapinhane, Inhambane for thanksgiving this year- it was fantastic. Totally worth the 12hour trip.
I spent tuesday with a few of my favorite volunteers as they got ready to go back to AmericaLand. I'm so happy for everyone going home but it can be so tough also. I'm going to miss them all so so much.
Wednesday i set out for Mapinhane- it's a smally town on the EN1 in northern Inhambane. The ride up was actually pretty great- I made some new friends, watched a group of men devour a goat head, eyes and all, got caught in a thunderstorm, and yet still made it to alice and aj's house before dark.
Thanksgiving was great- thursday morning was just 6 of us, we woke up early (do we ever not wake up early?!) and got to cooking. Alice made about 30 batches of cornbread for cornbread stuffing (which was sensational), while the rest of us drew posters explaining how to use the bathroom. Around 3 more people started to arrive. We bought a turkey and proceeded to get it drunk. I'm not talking a couple sips of wine, the boys poured several shots of gin the turkey's throat. Poor thing just passed out! (for the record, you're suppose to get a turkey drunk before you kill it- not exactly sure why but you're suppose to).
By 6, everyone was there- we were 28 people with representation from America (or course), South Africa, Mozambique, and Italy. Carl, our PC country director also came, which was awesome. The director of the school where we were cooking and sleeping said a few words thanking us for inviting her, and then we began. Simultaneously, the termites came out in full force. Thousands of termites were swarming the lights above us and landing in our food. You literally could not take a bite without brushing 2 or 3 away. We ended up moving outside to eat, among the mosquitos. We went around the group and said what we were thankful for- it was fun to listen to people in English, Portuguese and Italian. Some were serious, about how we're thankful for each other and the last two years together, and some were more light hearted, like how we're thankful our boss bought us two cases of beer for the occasion. Then, the puppy that a pcv had brought with her, got bit by something- spider, scorpion, centipede we're unsure- and was yelping and crying and shaking. We didn't think he'd live through the night- swollen tongue and difficulties breathing- but he did.
The power went out at 10pm so we were almost all asleep by 1030. Up at 5 to clean and eat some delicious leftovers that the termites hadn't gotten to. Pecan pie in the morning = heaven!!
By 6 people were on their way back home, and it was so sad to say goodbye. AJ started playing his guitar and singing and to be honest, I wasn't sure I was going to make it out of there without crying hysterically.
I can't believe it's all coming to an end! Yeah, i'm staying a third year, but everyone who I arrived with are leaving. My Peace Corps family is breaking apart. I'm definitely looking forward to next year with my new job and my fantastic roomie Scooter, but it's still tough to watch my other besties go.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Namaacha
I moved! At the end of last week, I finished up teaching, said goodbye to my students and fellow teachers, had a fabulous party with my REDES girls, and moved to a new town.
The end of teaching was completely bittersweet. It felt great to be done teaching, finished lesson planning and grading, but I'll really miss a lot of my students. They were difficult a lot of the time, but to see them learning was so rewarding. And funny story- my last day with them, one of my favortie students gave me an apple. An apple. Yes, that may seem normal for the states, but it's definitely not normal here. Apples are so expensive, and can't be bought in my town, and to give presents to teachers (not trying to solicit grades) is unheard of. I felt so special- she was such a great student and I really hope that she gained at least something from my classes.
My REDES girls helped throw a going-away party for me which was so much fun! We made t-shirts from the money they made selling jewelry, cooked delicious food all afternoon to make a wonderful feast (I had no idea 20 tiny little girls could consume that much food!!!), and sang and danced the whole day. I loved watching them let loose and have fun- so many of my girls have pretty structured and difficult lives at home so I enjoy giving them some freedom. And, corny I know, seeing theirs smiles. I will miss them so much.
Wednesday, I finished packing and then gave all my extra little things to my neighbor kids. They had a box of toys they would play with everyday - jump ropes, my-little-ponies, tennis balls, frisbees - so each kid got at least one thing to take home. After all my things were packed up and loaded into the Peace Corps car, I said goodbye to all the kids and my empregada Christina, and left Hokwe behind.
Namaacha is amazing! It's been forever since I've been here but it was a great homecoming. The area is so beautiful- lush and green and hilly. My new house is wonderful, and I have a great new roommate, Abby (3rd year PCV on her way back to the sates). I haven't really started my new job yet- it's a pretty busy time for Peace Corps with training new volunteers and sending my group home- but I can't wait to get things rolling and get into working.
This is definitely a huge change for me - new town, new house, new job, new roomy, new everything. I won't be working so much on a community level, I'll be working more with PCVs and PC staff, developing sustainable youth development projects, but I'm sure I'll have more crazy stories and adventures to share in the coming months.
The end of teaching was completely bittersweet. It felt great to be done teaching, finished lesson planning and grading, but I'll really miss a lot of my students. They were difficult a lot of the time, but to see them learning was so rewarding. And funny story- my last day with them, one of my favortie students gave me an apple. An apple. Yes, that may seem normal for the states, but it's definitely not normal here. Apples are so expensive, and can't be bought in my town, and to give presents to teachers (not trying to solicit grades) is unheard of. I felt so special- she was such a great student and I really hope that she gained at least something from my classes.
My REDES girls helped throw a going-away party for me which was so much fun! We made t-shirts from the money they made selling jewelry, cooked delicious food all afternoon to make a wonderful feast (I had no idea 20 tiny little girls could consume that much food!!!), and sang and danced the whole day. I loved watching them let loose and have fun- so many of my girls have pretty structured and difficult lives at home so I enjoy giving them some freedom. And, corny I know, seeing theirs smiles. I will miss them so much.
Wednesday, I finished packing and then gave all my extra little things to my neighbor kids. They had a box of toys they would play with everyday - jump ropes, my-little-ponies, tennis balls, frisbees - so each kid got at least one thing to take home. After all my things were packed up and loaded into the Peace Corps car, I said goodbye to all the kids and my empregada Christina, and left Hokwe behind.
Namaacha is amazing! It's been forever since I've been here but it was a great homecoming. The area is so beautiful- lush and green and hilly. My new house is wonderful, and I have a great new roommate, Abby (3rd year PCV on her way back to the sates). I haven't really started my new job yet- it's a pretty busy time for Peace Corps with training new volunteers and sending my group home- but I can't wait to get things rolling and get into working.
This is definitely a huge change for me - new town, new house, new job, new roomy, new everything. I won't be working so much on a community level, I'll be working more with PCVs and PC staff, developing sustainable youth development projects, but I'm sure I'll have more crazy stories and adventures to share in the coming months.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)