(this was written last saturday morning, july 13th)
Greetings
from Namaacha! It has been a while since I've said that, hasnt it?
Almost
a year has passed since I was in training here in this beautiful, yet very
chilly, part of southern Mozambique called Namaacha. I can tell that many
things have changed, including the HUB itself (our training center here).
Permanent structures have been put up, new things installed and it seems to be
a very streamlined system now. Way to go Peace Corps!
The
trip south to Namaacha started at Jasmin's site in Inharrime. I had gone to
spend one last night with her on Friday, we went to our usual chicken spot, had
some laughs, shed some tears, and just enjoyed the last moments together in
Inharrime. Seeing her house so empty, putting her suitcases in the car,
watching her say goodbye to her dog. . .it was a lot to handle. I cant imagine
that I will possibly be doing the same thing in a year's time. Maybe. . .as of
now, I am seriously considering extending my contract for another year. Why not
right? I like my work, I like this country, and its not like I have anything
that I need to rush home for.
So
we packed up the personal car our association let us use for the trip
(winning!) and headed south, stopping at my house to grab my bag for the week,
and to drop off a nice wicker chair that I bought from Jasmin. (I'm probably
going to do a big rearrangement of my living room/kitchen/dining room space
when I return.) Anyway. . we were on our way to Maputo. Of course we had to
stop in Xai Xai to meet our driver's family, meaning we were also served lunch
and pop. Not a bad deal! Unfortunately we were pressed for time upon our
arrival in Maputo, as the chapa's for Namaacha stop running towards the later
part of the afternoon. Luckily we were able to catch one that left almost
immediately upon our boarding it. I loathe chapa's. Every fiber of my being
just goes into a negative place when I am so squeezed, cramped, sweaty and just
generally uncomfortable. Unfortunately it is the one of the only options of
transport to Namaacha, so I had to suck it up and deal. Luckily it only took
about two hours, and the Peace Corps driver met us in town to give us a boleia
back to the HUB (training facility).
I
was on my own here last night, a fellow 18'er is joining me for the week here
for PST, so that shall be a lovely time! I took full advantage of having this
nice little house to myself here, took a long bath (well, as long as a bucket
bath takes), made some tea, put on my wool socks and leggings, and snuggled up
in bed. The house here is very cute, and I am already liking the set-up for the
week. I was fortunate enough to meet a few new volunteers last night, and from
what I can tell the group seems to be very diverse. I am truly looking forward
to meeting all of them.
Work
wise, Wed, Thurs and Fri of last week were VERY BUSY. I am throwing together
the REDES workshop that is to be held in Quissico the weekend after my return
to site, then I have my mid-service conference in August, followed by the big
Amizava Festival in my town. Sheesh!
Send
me some good thoughts and some good vibes :) they are always appreciated.
Quick
shout-out to my Mom; it was her birthday on the 12th of July. WOOOP! Happy
Birthday Momma. Wish I could have been there to celebrate with you!
xoxox
always
t
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