apple pie?

Dinner parties in Mozambique. . .who would have thought?

After a normal workweek here in Quissico, which was wonderful compared to the craziness I had been living the past two months, I decided to host a small dinner party Saturday for some friends. People decided to come Friday night as well, so we had an impromptu dinner that night as well. On the menu Friday; stir fry with rice noodles and cold beers.

Stir-fry: garlic, onion, carrot, green pepper, cabbage, peanuts, and a homemade teriyaki sauce, served over rice noodles. Yummo.

Saturday I spent the entire day in the kitchen, and loved it. I really miss having people over for dinner, cooking for/with friends. Food just brings people together. It's a lovely thing. My friends hung out around the house, having a relaxing day, we watched some movies, listened to some music and ate. On the menu Saturday was; cinnamon sugar crepes for breakfast, (no lunch really) dinner was bruschetta and good cheese from Americaland for appetizers, a big salad, garlic bread, cheese tortellini with sautéed veggies in a pesto sauce, and mini apple turnovers for dessert.

I used to burn oatmeal in college. I’ve come quite far.

This week has started off with not a spark, nor bang, but with a fizzle. The president has come to visit Quissico. . . wahoo. (note the sarcasm). This man has not done great things for Mozambique, yet people REVEARE him. I understand its important to show respect for our elected officials, but not in a corrupt system, with a corrupt person. Anywhooo…. Many of my coworkers went to a town to the south on Sunday to receive him, there was singing, dancing, and sleeping outdoors. Only to turn around, drive back here, and welcome him again here in town. Why people didn't just wait to welcome him here, I don't understand.

I was holding a meeting with my REDES counterpart when he arrived in Quissico. Mind you, this man did not get in a car and drive the hour it takes to get here. . .nah, he did it up in style. My counterpart and I watched his three, yes three, HELICOPTERS land on the airstrip (I can see it from my porch). Lua was confused about the noise, and ran around like a goof trying to figure out where it came from. My counterpart and I just shook our heads at the ridiculousness of it all. The amount of money he spent on those three helicopters could have fed the town of Quissico for a month. It’s just infuriating where money goes. The hospitals need mosquito nets for a big distribution? Nah, the president needs to pave the road to his beach house in Bilene. Infuriating.

Town was a hot mess yesterday, just people everywhere, a massive caravan of trucks/SUV’s and such, police escorts, people dressed in their finest. Cool and all, but not on a Monday when there is stuff to be done. I didn't spend much time in town, just went for a quick shop, chat with Tia Julia, and meet with Naira – the new volunteer in town. She’s lovely, German by descent, but has lived in different parts of the world. She’s 18, and will be living in this town, in the small house I was temporarily in for the next year of her life working with Acomuza. Its nice to have a friend. We had dinner together yesterday at my house.

I haven’t been alone since Thursday. Which is very strange for me. Its nice to have someone to talk with, but I’ve also learned how much I love my “me” time. Being alone to do things like read, type blogs, workout, drink tea etc. I love having guests, and I really enjoy cooking for people, and I am happy to have an open house. I just enjoy my alone time as well. Who would have thought, I join Peace Corps and find out that I like alone time. That was my biggest fear when I joined. That I’d be alone with no friends somewhere. Hahahah!

Anyway, my day went well here in Mozambique. I had my REDES meeting this morning, and then went to the hospital afterwards. On Monday my counterpart for REDES, Rosalia, and I planned out the entire month of September with the various sessions that fall into the theme of HIV. The session this morning went wonderfully, unfortunately only one girl showed up… this is a big problem we have been having as of late – lack of attendance. I don't know how else to motivate the girls. We have planned sessions that open with a song or game, then the actual informational part of the meeting, then some time to work on arts and crafts… I even made the incentive for whoever doesn’t miss a meeting gets a cake! So if anyone has suggestions about how to keep people involved, specifically young girls, please let me know!

At the hospital I have been busy working with my counterpart on the issue of “buscas”. When the Peer Educators go out into the field to find those who have stopped treatment of ARV’s/ haven’t been coming to the hospital for their next consults. Some of the time people have phone numbers, so I am able to call them and encourage them to return to the hospital. More often than not, people do return, because they feel they are being though of as an individual. So that's a small victory. For those patients that don't have a phone number, we fill out “busca cards” which specify who the patient is, the neighborhood they live in, and are taken at the end of each day by a Peer Educator in that locale. The problem we have right now, is the lack of Peer Educators in certain neighborhoods. . . something we are working on. I’ll keep you all posted on developments for that.

I got back home later in the afternoon, having stopped in to Dona Julia’s shop (as always). When I got home, I was surrounded by the neighborhood kids (again, as always) and we had a cool info session about the world map I have here. I quizzed them all about where countries are, how far they are, what languages they speak, what the people look like etc. it was great. Then my neighbors girls hung out a bit longer (the girls are part of the family who has adopted me), my hair was braided, we talked over a range of topics; gay marriage, shoes, pregnancy, food, family, pets, etc. haha you never know where the conversation will go with them!

Nothing special for dinner tonight. Just some cereal and a movie while I get some work done.

Only a few more days until my wild adventure/travels to the NORTH!

(I’m excited)

xoxo

t