BIG FISH

I.love.the.fish.market. I mean there are fish…..and then there are fiiiiish. A group of us headed over there one afternoon, and immediately became a bit overwhelmed. Once the vendors there see a group of Americans, they start yelling and rushing toward us trying to get us to buy their food. They really do have everything at the fish market – shrimp, lil fish, big fish, clams, like everything. I’m not a big seafood eater, but it was the first time I tried a piece of shrimp. It wasn’t like allll that but I kept on eating ‘em. I never say no to food. So anyway, the way it works is – you buy all the food you want, then go to the other side of the market where they have tables. You choose a table and have your food prepared. It’s a fun atmosphere – lil overwhelming if its your first time – but then you learn how things move. I’ve been there about 4 times now, and every time its something new, but ya know…I can’t complain! Once YOU come to visit me we’ll go there together

yummmy

I don't eat these but apparently they're amazing

us waiting patiently for our food....=)

and THAT's how we roll!


Random story

Mozambicans can be really nice – and I saw that on my chapa ride from Maputo back to Chongoene. So when the chapa driver stops at a busy “paragem” (stop) there’s people there selling snacks, bananas, and drinks. Me being the naturally always hungry girl, bought some cookies. I was sitting in the back row with three other young girls, and they wanted the same cookies I had……but I bought the last ones. I felt kinda bad, so I gave each of them two cookies. They were so happy, and just smiled at me. Ya know Nana loves the kids. About an hour goes by and I had taken a lil snooze, and right when I opened my eyes one of the girls says, “mana, queres comer?” – “sister, do you want to eat?” I mean she already had the plate with a chicken leg and pasta ready, so I happily said “obrigada” and ate it. It was just such a nice gesture, especially coming from kids that age. They were so sweet. So yes ppl – even though Mozambicans can get rowdy sometimes…there are some that really go the extra mile to lend a helping hand. And Im glad she did lend a hand bc I was dreaming about chicken anyway…..


What every American girl Needs in Moz

This is a list comprised of ideas from me and my hot mess friends living in moz. Take it from us – we know what every girl here needs!

1. Nail polish – they do sell it here but most of them don’t have OPI. So I mean definitely bring your favorite colors. When you first get to site most of you will have plenty of down time – so use that to paint your pretty toes.
2. Make up – I assume if you regularly wear make up you wouldn’t forget this one. Its important to have if you use it! Its hard to find make up unless you’re in Maputo or another big city
3. Jewelry – Don’t bring anything here that you wouldn’t cry about loosing – but definitely bring your favorite necklaces and bracelets, bc its what makes you, you! You don’t have to be as conservative as Peace Corps says you have to be – its really important you keep your personal style. No need to change who you are……walk the runway with pride.
4. Batteries – batteries……….
5. Leggings
6. Cute underwear – SOMEtimes its ok to wear the granny panties when you’re like hiking or something…..but its ok to wear your cute undies….you’ll feel good about it at the end of the day.
7. Leave in conditioner – (because Mona said so)
8. Tampons WITH the plastic applicator – PC doesn’t have those
9. Hair straightener – IF you have room, you’ll appreciate it.
10. Sports bras
11. A decent sized mirror – you will not find many mirrors here. They just aren’t used like that.
12. Eye brow pluckers

PACKAGES AND LETTERS

Ok this is just a QUCIK lil message to those back in America land – SEND ME STUFF. I know we all get busy and whatnot…..but imagine not having sunbelt granola bars, or sour patch kids, or a new journal to write it. And PPL I have down times on some days and would LOVE to read your letters. Some of you all don’t like writing letters but it means a lot to me….so pleeeeeeeeeeeease send more! And thank you to those who already have! Nana loves u.

Work is getting underway!

So I work for an organization called AREPACHO - Agricultural Association for the Reduction of Absolute Poverty and to Combat HIV/AIDS of Chongoene. These are a few pictures of an event we had last Friday. All of the activistas in my org (about 135) received new kapulanas in celebration of National Woman's Day. It started at about 8:45 in the morning, but that doesnt stop ANYONE from getting up, strapping on a new kap, and singing in perfect pitch. Yup....that included ME. I was trying to keep a "low" profile - which never happens - but they immediately spotted me out. "Mana Nana, ven aqui, queremos dancar!" which means, Nana get out that chair and shake what ya momma gave ya - just kidding. It means, come here, we want to dance. So I started dancing and taking pictures at the same time. It was alot of fun and gave me a chance to ATTEMPT to speak and learn the names of all the activistas. That may never happen, but its a start. Hope you enjoy the pics!

sing it momma, sing it

Here is Ms. Ivete, the Project Coordinator at Arepacho. funniest woman ever.

I also work at two "escolinhas" or preschools, one in the town of Fidel Castro and the other in my home town Chongoene! I absolutely love children - grant it they're a handful - but they really put a smile on my face.

More pics of work to come! Hope everyone back home is fabulous..until next time =)

Time is a goin people.....

Tears and Sweat
It is sooooooo hot here in chongoene, hotter than “normal” (but thank the heavens "winter" has arrived) And I know its not just me, bc other ppl living in Gaza province have said the same thing - its hot ppl. So hot that when I was sitting at the internet café the other day - I felt trickles of sweat crawl down my back like I was standing under a waterfall. Gross. Just gross. I’ve learned to carry a little towel or handkerchief with me so that my face doesn’t glisten like a hot pepper, but lately that hasn’t done a thing. And then I look at other ppl and they’re literally not sweating like I am. I mean - Mozambicans sweat but not like me. I can’t imagine how other people manage the heat - like volunteers living in Tete. Apparently Gaza isn’t nearly as hot as Tete. Ughh…..I’m suffering people. Then there’s days when I have no energy to do anything, but its too hot to stay in the house. Even when your’e really sick or have a cold, you cant just sit in your house and take a nap - you will sweat……. and then start crying bc the heat is unbearable. Then after you cry you have to dry your tears - but wait, why dry them bc the sweat will just start again, and you’ll look like you never even stopped crying. Sad times ppl….sad times.


Sex Convo
Probably one of my favorite conversations so far in moz was talking to my good friends Celso, Nino and Dino and sex. It was actually good practice. Since I’m a health volunteer, I have to be comfortable with talking about sexual topics with people in the community. I don’t really know how the conversation started out, but I think we were talking about Americans and HIV/AIDS. So that led into them asking a lot of questions. I told them, “seriously, if you have any questions just please ask me, or if you guys need condoms I have them just ask.” that opened up a whole new door of questions - “Is it good to wear two condoms? I don’t like to go get HIV tests bc the hospitals aren't nice. If I have sex with a woman after she had an abortion and we don’t use a condom - will I die?” some of these questions may sound funny to you - but that’s the reality sometimes here. Sometimes, people just don’t know. I used this as an education moment. Sex is not always an easy topic to talk about but its necessary. I was happy to be answering their questions - we had moments when we laughed about certain things, but they really were happy that we were having an open conversation. I even used a banana and a peel to demonstrate how to use a condom effectively, it was great. Next time you should definitely join us.
You are a dancing queen!
Ok So, ya know how in the states being inappropriate in public is absolutely not ok? well nooooot so much here. Me, Mallory, Emily, and Caitlin are walking in Shoprite minding our own business when all of a sudden one of the workers starts dancing to house music that was playing in the store. He looked a hot mess. a hott mozambican mess. More like a fool actually. I was trying not to laugh but he was just so entertaining. And of course, the aisle I needed to go in was EXACTLY where he was dancing. And of course Caitlin was like, “I wonder which bottle of oil is better?,,,,,,hmmmm, which one is better?“ Im like, “girl, I wish I could tell you but I’m so distracted by this clown to my left….and its getting to be a lil awkward.“ So we left that aisle, but of course he was like, “You want dance with me ha? Come help me.“ I replied, “I don’t speak English, sorry” And THAT worked like a charm, (even though he knew I was American bc I'm always up in shoprite) I love the culture here sometimes, Mozambicans have the RIGHT to dance whenever and wherever….who says its ever inappropriate? I mean, the next time anyone in Americaland sees someone doing a version of the tootsie roll while spread eagle, just simply stare and applaud. Go Shoprite.

The best things in life are….
1. KFC! Yup that’s right. There is a KFC that is opening up in xai xai…and um I’m excited - r Back at home, I’d never be excited to go to KFC, but the fact that a slice of Americaland is making its way to my neighborhood is absolutely fantastic. I hope their biscuits are up to par, and that the chicken tastes just as good as it does back home.