Vida em Namaacha

"If I just breathe, let it fill the space between, I´ll know everything is alright." - Michelle Branch, "Breathe"

Life in Namaacha is becoming normalized. I know my way around Bairro B and how to get to the places I need to go- mainly the market, the agencia where I use internet on a very slow computer, my friends houses, health class, and of course, the barracas (bars). Haha, just kidding. But not really… There are definitely limited places where large groups of volunteers can go to hang out.
2nd week seemed to go by much faster than week one, now that I have language basics, a stronger relationship with my host family, and the establishment of a daily routine. I wake up at 630 to the sound of roosters. Theyre everywhere. The 1st week, Id wake up when they started at about 3am but now, I just tune them out until the sun is actually out. I take a bath first thing (tomar banho), then eat mato-bicho (breakfast)- almost always fried eggs, bread, and tea (or instant coffee). Language class is from 730 to 930 and from 3-50, always held at one of our homes. We rotate every week and its interesting to see how different our lots are… Some homes have running water or gas stoves or indoor toilets, although mine certainly does not.
My lingua class, as of yesterday, was the smallest language group with only 3 of us. The teachers and classes were rotated yesterday based on how well we did on our first test. Id like to think Im in an average to high group, but who knows. My Portuguese definitely still sucks :)
Health class is from 10-1230 with a lunch break that is usually 1 or 1.5 hours, depending on the day. Some days I need to bring my lunch, which tends to be an ordeal because Mozambicans do not just have already prepared food waiting to be eaten. After class, I usually hang out with other volunteers, walking around (passeando) which is quite the pasttime here. Its probably culturally equivalent to just ´chilling with friends.`
On Sundays, I go to church with my family. Its a lengthy experience- approx 3 hours, but also very culturally rich and different from anything Im used to. They spend an hour singing in small groups, another hour collecting donatios in conga-line dancing and singing formations.
The weather here is rather unpredictable, sometimes violently rainy and windy at night. It is also amplified by the tin roof over my head, so sometimes I feel (as another voluteer described it) as if I am stewing in a giant pot. Lets not mention the plethora of animals that trek around on the roof as well, particularly when Im trying to sleep. When it rains, the roads turn to mud that cakes to your shoes and weigh your feet down when youre walking to class. Its also been colder than I expected, certainly colder than San Diego... But then again, we were warned that Namaacha has a microclimate similar to that of Swaziland, and not to expect the same throughout the rest of Moz.
In Mozambique, theres no such thing as different types of food. Food is food and if youre picky, this country is not for you. Salad and french fries for breakfast is entirely possible, especially if you happen to mention to your mae that you really enjoyed having them for dinner last night. Some things you can expect every meal: rice, pasta, or xima (a disgustlingly tasteless mush of corn adn flour that looks heartbreakingly like mashed potatoes). Xima is the one thing I have informed my host family that I intensely dislike, by the way. Theres always a type of protein as well, be it chicken (freshly killed in the backyard, of course. Also something on my training to-do list), goat, rarely beef, or peixe (fish that is most of the time fried and contains a million annoying bones). Oh, or bologna. Yes, bologna, and of a suspiciously bright shade of red too. Most veggies, aside from salad, are cooked in the rice or sauce to the point of absolute softness (read: no nutritional value). Some volunteers have had stomach problems, but Ive been okay.
I cannot wait to get to my own site and make fried rice! And spicy ramen, does anyone want to send me some more? Thatd be great, thanks. Ive also had multiple cravings for the strangest things, particularly skittles, goldfish crackers, cheezits. (Hint hint)
My mailing address is on a previous blog post (I dont have it on me right now)
and my PHONE NUMBER is 258 820 653 968. Its cheapest via google, and skype is 2nd best. Call me!! I would love to hear from you. I havent had time to keep up with anyone via internet, unfortunately.
Until next time, take care!