Written Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Hello everyone! I trust that the week is off to a good start?

So after a weekend of torrential downpours, no energy, hanging out with the puppy dog, and just taking it easy, yesterday was a busy enough day to make up for the two days of rest.

The plan yesterday was to get to Inhambane City to get my packages sent in the mail! I was up early to catch a chapa out of Qussico to Maxixe (about a 2.5 hour trip depending) all went well there, I switched into a different chapa in Inharrime, and made it safely to Maxixe. I met up with a friend there, and we took the ferryboat over to Inhambane City (about a 20 minute ride or so depending) – mind you there is only one large ferryboat that runs back and forth, so you either wait for that one, or you get in one of the smaller ones (which can be a bit tricky, stay tuned). So we waited for the big one, and proceeded to cross over to Inhamabne City.

Found the post office with no problem, and had a lovely hour and a half long conversation/argument with the people there. I ended up having to pay almost 2,000 Mtz to get both of my packages. The cost for postage/customs – not sure why I paid those, seeing as those who sent them, already paid for postage and everything that was 700Mtz. The cost for picking up the packages at the post office (a usual fee that everyone pays) was 170Mtz each, and then the cost for transportation to get to Inhambane City and back – round trip about 230Mtz.

I argued a good point with the customs officer there, and the lady working the post office.  . . they understood that I am a volunteer and don’t receive much money to be here. They also had no idea why my items went to Inhambane City rather than my PO Box in Inharrime. I gave them my number and told them to call if they get any answers from their boss about this. So in the meantime – either hold off on packages, or send them to the original mailing address of the Peace Corps office in Maputo. There PC will pay up to 400Mtz in the customs/postal fees. And I just need to get down to Maptuo to get them, or have someone traveling up through Moz drop them off.

I tried getting some answers from PC about all of this, and they really didn’t have any for me. Hence why I was so frustrated on Friday. It seems that this is a totally new law/regulation, to force people to pay to pick up their packages. Prior volunteers did not have to pay, and it is really quite strange.

But anyway, enough griping about the silly postal system here. I GOT PACKAGES!!! YAYYY!!!! Thank you SO SO SO SO SO much!

To my wonderful Aunties – these gifts mean the world to me, and were so thoughtful. I cant say enough how appreciative I am. Everything I could have imagined or asked for were in those two boxes, including some things I would have never thought of. I am so lucky to have such caring people in my life. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I tried sending post cards to each of you, so please let me know if you get them!

So after opening my packages in the post office and being so so happy (its less conspicuous to put things in a plastic bag/purse than carry around a big box) we walked around the city for a bit. My friend was looking into buying a gas tank for her stove. I will be inheriting an electric stove – that I like, but would prefer gas. But the cost of the tank/gas and transportation of said item is expensive and difficult. It’s easier to just use an electric stove and just not cook when there isn’t energy (like this entire past weekend) haha. Ahh life in Moz- gotta love it.

So for our return trip to Maxixe across the bay, we decided to travel on the one of the smaller boats. Entering the small craft, in my graceful manner (sarcasm) I tripped, and rolled my left ankle/foot. It immediately swelled up, giving me a lovely knot the size of a golfball on the top/left side of my foot, just bellow my ankle bone. Needless to say, the boat ride back sucked. I threw up over the side of the ship from the amount of pain I was in, but managed to keep the tears in. After arriving back in Maxixe, I hobbled off the boat, and with the help of my friend, made it to a small place in the market to sit/eat and rest my foot. The woman working the small stand saw my foot, and immediately gave me ice – super considerate of her – and luckily I had a Ziploc bag in my care package that I used to keep it on my foot. Needless to say, I’m in a considerable amount of pain still today, and the chapa rides home were not fun.

I found a seat in the very back corner where I wouldn’t have to get in/out and worry about people climbing over me. I got home with no problems, and went and had dinner with Angela and Sota. Again, luckily, Sota had an ice pack in his freezer/fridge thing, and I was able to ice it again – he also gave me some pain meds, and an icy hot patch. Not sure if the patch really does anything for bones/sprains, but it felt good to use overnight.

The swelling has dissipated to my entire foot, not just the golfball thing near my ankle. It’s a bit black and blue, but I can walk on it slowly without considerable pain. I’m chalking it up as a semi-severe sprain, will wrap it when I leave the house today, and try to keep off it/keep it elevated. If it doesn’t clear up by Thursday/Friday, I’ll take myself to the hospital here.

It’s always an adventure with me!

I was supposed to go out into the campu today with my one organization, but that consists of walking all day through loose sand. I decided it would be better not to do so. I am going to try and help Angela today organize things for this Saturday – we are painting a mural with our REDES group, and a group from Xai Xai. It should be a good time. I am also going to start organizing my things to pack/move. . just two weeks now. My my, where the time is going. Its going to be very strange to see Angela go. . . not sure I want to think about it at the moment.

But I have big plans for the house! I want to put in some more shelving for spices/a pantry type thing, re-arrange the rooms a bit, and am thinking of trying to have a small garden in front of the house. . .but I think that’s going to depend on the puppy dog.

Again – thank you so so so much for the packages. They had everything I could have ever wanted in them and more. It is such a great feeling to know that you all are thinking of me. Thank you.

Always-

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