Bruised and Battered, Far From Broken

Seeing as how tomorrow is the one year mark in Mozambique, I guess it’s the perfect time for a little reflection. If you asked me what I expected out of my Peace Corps service before I left the United States, I’m pretty sure my answers would have been pretty typical: learn a new language, experience a new culture, make new friends, travel, learn to cook, read some books, change the world, and so on.

I’d say for the most part, I’m right on track. Portuguese (more or less), check. Learning about Mozambican culture, check. New friends (Mozambican, American, and more), check. Read books, check. Learn to cook…..ehhhh….

As far as travelling goes, I definitely feel like I have experienced Mozambique. Two weekends ago, I had a whole new adventure on my way to Ribaue. The easiest/cheapest way to get there is via train. There were two options for tickets: 2nd and 3rd class. I’m sure you’re all asking the same thing I did, what happened to 1st class? I never got to the bottom of that question, just that it definitely doesn’t exist and hasn’t existed for a while. Anyway, wanting the true experience (or 2nd class being sold out, I don’t really remember) I rode 3rd class. I didn’t have to sit by any goats or anything so it really wasn’t all that bad. I just spent all my time in the dining cart snacking. Paying 25 Meticais (about 70 cents) for one of the best egg sandwiches to secure a place to sit is a price I will happily pay. My only question is, since there is no 1st class, why not call each class one higher? Add it to the list of things that just don’t make any sense. I just can’t wait to explore S. Africa in December!!!!

Change the world. Hmm, I just think that one was just a bit too ambitious. I think I’ve changed Esther’s world, so that’s a success, right?

So, there are some things that have happened since I’ve been here that were completely unexpected. Being paired up with Esther has made “roughing it” in Mozambique a breeze. I honestly believe that if Peace Corps advertised our lives together absolutely everyone would join. Bad days are easy to weather when you’re in such great company. I also never thought I would be diagnosed with arthritis at the ripe age of 23. Shooting pain in my hips eventually made walking without a limp impossible. A couple of specialists and a cocktail of meds later I’m seeing some improvement. I’m even thinking about jumping on the exercise boat again. Don’t worry, Mom, I promise to ease back into it. Making new friends was a goal, but I don’t think anyone could anticipate meeting such winners. You know you’ve made some real friends when you’re willing to hitchhike 600km each way to spend a weekend celebrating someone’s birthday. And…becoming a godmother!!!! Woo hoo!!!! To my little (used loosely) Kellen Verners, I can’t wait for the second I get to squeeze those chubby chubby cheeks. Btw, I’m still waiting on that photoshopped pic Marti =).

The next class of Mozambique volunteers (Moz 15) arrived yesterday. They will be headed to Namaacha in a couple of days to start their three months of training. It’s so bizarre to think us 14ers are going to be the “experienced” ones here. Have we even learned that much? Could we possibly offer any good advice? I really hope the answer is yes. I’m heading down to training Thanksgiving week to help out and would really like to be able to offer some words of wisdom. Well, success or no success, at least we will all get to enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving meal together. =)