election week

Hello and happy Monday to all! 

Sorry about my last blog post, I am chalking it up as just a bad week, getting over being sick, and a lot of big life changes here in Moz. Overall, my experience here (while at some moments, truly devastating) has been life-changing and amazing. I love my life here, especially in Quissico, and wouldn't trade these past years for anything.

That being said, I had a wonderful weekend, spent with two close friends. Nothing spectacular, just hanging out, enjoying time together, trips to the market, cooking great food together, and funny movies. What else does one need?

This week in Mozambique it is elections. The big day to be held on Wednesday, the 20^th. . . I know I have posted a few articles on my facebook page about the current political climate, and will post a few links at the end of this post, if anyone cares to take a look at some news articles. The best information I find is online at “@Verdade” a main Mozambican news journal. Basically, the opposition party, RENAMO, has cut off the central part of Mozambique, forcing nearly all transportation to come to a halt, burning busses, raiding military posts, unnecessary killings etc.  They have recently demanded that the election be cancelled, and have begun to dig a huge crater in the road to prevent any transportation.

Here in my town, it is all FRELIMO support, I have never seen a RENAMO flag, t-shirt, hat etc. . . just the eruption of FRELIMO support in this past month, growing as the election day comes. They have songs, dances, cars with flags hanging off of them, posters everywhere. It's a lot. Imagine a US political rally, now put it on steroids, and make it last for a month. One of the frustrating things with all of this, is much like in the states, people have noooo idea what they are voting for/supporting. They just jump on the bandwagon, without question, and put their blind support into whatever it is the masses are doing. It's a chance to win a free t-shirt, or a flag, or whatever. . . but without concern about what they are actually supporting.

Most of the news I have read, and seen on TV has shown that the people of Mozambique don't want another war to break out, issues like this are between the two male-driven, political parties. It's a “dick wagging” contest to be honest. Who’s is bigger, who can get more power, who can be the wealthiest -Without any regard to those lives that are affected. TV intervies I have seen of local people in the central, when asked if they want a war, or where their support lies, they say they have none, and just want their lives to continue normally. Although they have no particular political affiliation, this matter is still highly personal, and you can sense the weariness and anxiety about the whole thing- this is their country, their history rearing its ugly head – they are concerned that the world is going to judge them based on the acts of few. This country has already been through so much, a revolutionary war, then a civil war – the last thing they need, is this nonsense.

Switching to happier news-

I am getting sitemates! After a year and a half of being the only American in Quissico, we are about to receive two more! They will be teachers at the secondary school here, not sure what subjects, or where they will be living. . .but come December 6^th, we will have two more “mulungu’s” here in town. Wild. I have been in correspondence with them through some emails, and they seem like lovely gentlemen – who lucked out to have such a cool site! Seriously, Quissico is one of the best places I’ve been in this country, and couldn't imagine being placed anywhere else.

            -I have not forgotten Naira, she is a lovely girl, who I am very happy to know, however she is German, so there are still cultural barriers there - ones that we enjoy talking about and exploring throughout the days, so I don't mean to discount her by any means, but it will be interesting to have people from my own culture so close by.

I had my site visit from my APCD (assistant peace corps director) this past Friday. It was a nice day, was at the hospital for a bit, went to Acomuza, then down to Despertai, had smoothies for lunch at my house, went and explored town, caught up on the gossip with Dona Julia, and made a nice dinner for us all here at my house. . . oh wait, that's my everyday life here. Haha either way, I think it was nice for Rachel, my boss, to see me in action. She had great words of support, and it was nice spending time with her one-on-one.

Applications are almost done for graduate school, I have some people looking over my statement of purpose, letters of recommendation are being turned in, my resume has been updated, transcripts sent in, and the GRE’s taken… this is actually happening.  Wow.

Plan b – if I don't get into graduate school, I have been doing a lot of research on Ashram’s in India. I want to study yoga at the feet of a Guru that could lead me to higher clarity, a deeper spirituality, and a greater understanding of life.

“it is health that is the real wealth, and not pieces of gold and silver” – Mahatma Gandhi

lua's new favorite spot in the house. . . spoiled girl

Some sites to catch up on the on-going's in Moz.

http://www.averdade.org/

http://www.aljazeera.com/Services/Search/?q=Mozambique