November 2, 2012

Let’s see. I wanted to talk about our class the other day. We had a practicum. Our adopted moms made sure we know how to iron, wash clothes by hand, pound peanuts, light charcoal, shave coconut, and peel pumpkin leaves. Then weather started going crazy. It was sunny all morning but the clouds moved in really fast (I ran home and grabbed my rain jacket thank goodness) and it looked pretty spooky. While we were cooking, it started to pour! I could not believe it, it was even hailing! We were at my friend, Tram’s, house and there are no windows in her living room. As expected, there was no electricity so we were shouting at each other in the dark over the loud roof and avoiding the leaks throughout the house. The steaming hot pumpkin leaves with coconut milk and onions on top of rice was delicious though! Peace Corps picked us up in a car and we got a ride home, which was great! They take care of us. 

 Language class.

 Looking into Tram's kitchen before the rain.

Yesterday we went to a family planning clinic. I was so impressed with everything they did there and pretty happy that I could understand a lot of what was going on! They have a group of teenagers that learn about HIV/AIDS and teach other students their same age about teen pregnancy and safe sex. One girl was 16 years old and so mature! I didn’t know places like that existed here. It makes me happy to see Mozambicans work towards a better future. Peace Corps is just here to help out. 

We just had a language speaking test and wow I did terrible! I really need to practice more. Learning another language is hard lol but let’s see. We’re going on site visits this week! We just found out on Wednesday but I completely lucked out and I’m going to one of the northern provinces of Mozambique! Because the U.S. government doesn’t given Peace Corps that much money, not that many people were able to travel up north so I’m pretty happy I have this opportunity. I’m leaving noon today to Maputo where we’re going to spend the night in a hotel. Saturday morning we’re flying up to Nampula (2 hour flight. Mozambique is twice the length of California!) and then me and another volunteer (Lisa. I’ve never really talked to her so it’ll be nice to get to know other people!) will then go to the province of Zambezia. I’m visiting a current volunteer named Annie in Invinhia. We’re not returning to Namaacha until next Thursday so I hope I have internet access while I’m visiting the volunteer. I want to know how the election turns out! Have fun voting everyone :)