Thanksgiving

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.