Happy Holiday season (continued)
I hope that everyone had a safe, and joyous Christmas, a
nice start to Hanukkah and Kwanza and something fun planned for New Years Eve!
I journeyed about 3.5 hours north of my site to a remote
town called Cumbana Agricola, a very “matu” (in the bush) site about a 5km walk
off of the EN1. I had some friends stay at my house the night before to break
up their travel time, so we all awoke on the 24th, had some French
toast and coffee, then hit the road – stopping in Maxixe to buy provisions like
water, food, booze etc. this was a BYOeverything kind of event, so we wanted to
be prepared.
We all hopped in a chapa (there were enough of us that we
just ended up renting it out) that took us to the turnoff to the town. From
there a friend of our fellow PCV who had a car to take us right to his house
met us! Talk about the importance of ‘knowing a guy’ haha that walk would have
been a killer with all of our luggage, food and water.
Our friends house is no bigger than mine, but a big difference
is that he doesn't have energy any of the time, his neighbors have a small
generator, so they can have a few lightbulbs at night, but my friend relies on
solar panels and such to charge his computer and cell phone. It made me think
about how fortunate I’ve been in this experience to have energy the entire
time. Yes it isn’t always reliable, especially during the hot season, but I do
have it a majority of the time, which allows for my refrigerator, electric
kettle, and my computer to function. What can I say, I’m spoiled haha!
But back to the Christmas celebrations. . . words cannot
describe the beauty that lay before us at Cumbana Agricola. . . I have a
spectacular view of the lagoon and ocean at my site, but my friend can see the
ocean from his front porch. Its about a 30 minute walk down to the beach, and
you will not encounter a single soul on the walk or on the beach. Beautiful
clear blue water, fun waves to play in, and lots of wood nearby so we could
build a very big bonfire. Not a shabby way to spend Christmas if you ask me.
The stars at this place were incredible. . . now, I’ve seen
some amazing stars here in Mozambique, and in South Africa – but being this far
removed from any sort of power source, city, etc. . . .it was humbling just how
beautiful the night sky was. There was even a full moon the one evening, so we
had our own natural light on the walk back from the beach. I used a friends
“bug hut” (a mesh tent with no rain-fly) to camp, so I had a perfect view of
the stars and moon when I went to bed each night.
We spent a few days there, just soaking in the sun and surf,
enjoying spending time with one another. There was a Yankee Swap for gifts,
lots of good food (all cooked on an open fire) and plenty of wine to go around
- all in all, a very different, but very fun Christmastime celebration.
I traveled to Inhambane City on my return south, and spent a
day or two there before coming back to site. Its nice to be home, but there
isn’t much to do here really . . . everyone is traveling for the holidays and
its raining a good bit (welcome back rainy season!). I remember last year at
this time being here at my house with my Mom – still a bit new at this Peace
Corps thing, so exploring town was equally as fun for her as it was for me. If
only she could see me now, my house finally a home, I have good friends and
family in town, and I finally feel that I have a grasp on this crazy life here
in Mozambique.
I’ll be spending New Years Eve with Dona Julia and family,
like last year – and I believe that my sitemates will be joining me in the
festivities. I am really looking forward to it, and will be baking lots of
goodies today to take with me to the party. I’m thinking and apple crisp, maybe
some sugar cookies, and a banana crumble? Thoughts or suggestions are welcome!
Oh, one last thing-
and I hate to leave a post with a sad note . . but. . . Lua had her
puppies while I was gone. Apparently there were only three of them, and all
were stillborn. I discovered their bodies buried in my front yard when I came
home. Lua is now much skinnier, and I think is going through a doggy version of
depression. She sleeps a lot of the time, and really doesn't like to be very
far from my side. She hasn't been eating much, which worries me. . .so I’m
keeping a close eye on her, giving lots of hugs and smoochies, and hoping for
the best.
Tomorrow is New Years Eve, not my favorite holiday by any
means, but here in Mozambique I’ve had a nice time of it, and am hoping for a
good year as well. This new year will bring a lot of changes to my life, the
end of my Peace Corps adventure, hopefully the start of graduate school, and
all sorts of new adventures to come. I appreciate all you faithful blog readers
for sticking with me through this experience, and hope that you are enjoying it
as much as I am!
A big bear hug, and sloppy smooch from Lua and I for your
midnight countdown this year! I’ll be there next year with my party hat on to
celebrate!
Boas Entradas! Happy New Year! Feliz Novo Ano!
-t
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