Trees of Africa.
Just like I discovered when I moved to Portugal back in 2006, it takes about 3 months to settle in and start to feel comfortable. My first month was super busy with work, travelling around getting things sorted with Mary and seeing all the new sites (AKA beaches). That month was mixed with lots of hospital visits for my gross infection, trying to get a grasp on the new vocabulary I should use so they understand me (small things like saying telefone instead of telemóvel etc), understanding their way of talking, getting to know the way things work in the working world (which requires a lot of patience) and generally finding my way around the town/ market and my kitchen-- dun dun duuun!
The second month was filled with writing reports and trying to find a work space. Spending my birthday with random (but amazingly lovely) strangers at the best beach hostel ever. And getting the foot infection again. Not being able to walk around freely in a place where you walk absolutely everywhere, sucks. A lot. I was getting a bit of cabin fever and feeling a bit useless but then, as mentioned in a previous post I met Naira and was immediately invited to birthdays and get-togethers with the other volunteers of Quissico.
Isa, me, Alex and Theresa at Amizava Festival
I will admit, before meeting Naira and the group I was super short on patience and probably wasn't the nicest to be around. Those cultural differences seem amplified when you have no one to sympathize with you or you have no one to compare notes with. And, as always, I was frustrated that everyone wants to speak English with me. Although this time it's not because I am Canadian but because I am white and therefore must speak English-- which, of course, I do so I only encourage that stereotype.
Take a deep breath and relax. Life is Good.
(Like my ringtone says...)
They also call me blonde which I think is funny. And, I have quite a few people ask me why I have so many 'pimples' on my skin or ask what's wrong with my skin. I'm tempted to tell them my Freckles are contagious.
I think one of the more challenging situations to handle (everyday, all the time) are the men. They aren't aggressive and nor do I feel scared but they are, for lack of a better word, extremely annoying. Of course, there are really nice guys and I have met lots of really cool guys that I consider friends, But an alarmingly high number of them think that saying a few catch phrases in English and being super duper insistent is appealing. Often they learn really inappropriate things to say in English just to say to us mulungu (white) women. It's nice to have other whities to talk about this with because if you just keep it inside it starts to bubble and become a big issue when really, walking away and forgetting about it usually does the trick.
Power is out as per usual. Time for romantic candle light.
Lately, I have been hanging out lots with the family that I went to the Traditional Festa of in an earlier post Maezinha and her three kids. Mana Bea is teaching me to cook (although, it's been hampered by my constantly being sick or infection footied) but I look forward to learning more seeing as I am useless in the kitchen; her brother, Dércio, started taking me to volleyball practice that have English lessons before for the little kids.
Maezinha
Mana Bea
I have also been hanging out with a friend I made in Inhambane (about 2 hours north of my town, close to Tofo Beach-- which is a perfect free place to stay ;) ), Theresa. Works out well because I come up to visit her and get my pizza fix!!
Theresa and I being awesome
I am still going to the Lagoa once a week to visit Isa's sister and do some physio exercises with her-- but Isa had malaria on Saturday so I didn't go.
That's how you cook for a party.
Work is finally starting up again! Our specialist trainer got his visa so we are scheduled to start training on September 30th. Now I really have to get my stuff in order and organize so that we have a fantastic training so that the program will be super successful! I am excited and feeling good about the month to come!
English lessons!
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