Speed Walking

I have discovered to amazing-ness of slowly meandering while walking instead of American power walking my way all over Africa. Mozambicans walk soooooo slow, which is pretty much how they do everything. As I learned from an early age trying to keep up with my mom, I walk as fast as possible everywhere I go. It was brought to my attention by a local friend that at first he thought I was really mean because I speed walked everywhere and I always had my sunglasses on. Now, I refuse to give up the sunglasses because 1) the sun is INTENSE here and 2) Saleena has me concerned about developing wrinkles from squinting (thanks a lot Today Show). But, after another pair of people here from Cuba commented on my fast-walking I decided to slow it down one day on the way home from school. It was amazing. Kids played with me, adults greeted me and asked who I was, and I was meeting all sorts of new people. Crazy that it could make that big of a difference, but I’m totally embracing it. Now me and my roommate just go out and slowly wander and it has been helping a ton with integration. I don’t know if I’ll ever get down to Mozambican speed, but I’ll try my hardest.

Celebration

My birthday was a great day. My roommate surprise got my packages arranged to be delivered to the house while I was at classes so it was a great surprise to come home to. Big shout outs to Mom, Dad, Aunt Anja and Uncle Rhom for the Christmas turned bday presents. Also to Lil Lindsay who sent me a letter from where she is teaching English in France. I was reading a letter sent from France from a college friend while I’m living in Mozambique. What has happened to my life?  I am now fully equipped with a GIANT box of candy (mostly Reese’s PB cups obrigada a deus) and I’m trying to keep it down to 2-3 pieces a day. Also got a great new journal (the one I came with is almost full), some spandex to wear under my above-knee skirts which fit perfectly and a bunch of office supplies (new sharpies Whoo Hoo!). Also to celebrate my birthday we decided to do chips, salsa, guacamole (it’s avocado season finally) and chicken fajitas (with real chicken, no fake soy protein!). We had a few friends come over and enjoyed outselves. And a lemon pound cake for the birthday cake. Sorry, I left my camera in Chimoio a few weekends ago so no photos to post, but my roomie has one on her camera that I’ll get posted later.
In regular-life news I just started a new schedule at the secondary school. The first one had way too many people having conflicts so they just entirely re-did it (what’s to stop it from having new conflicts all over again I have no idea) and so far it’s working out. The first trimester is almost at an end, and I’ve almost been in Moz for almost 6 months. It’s a pretty crazy life and I’m still loving it.

My 24th Year

Wednesday will be my 24th birthday, and the first one I’ve celebrated outside of my country. I have to say that I am pretty satisfied with my life at this point. I am living in Africa, which is one of the coolest experiences of my life. I am teaching which I am actually finding fun because of my students. I am fluent in my third language, and have yet to get malaria or any other serious disease. Life in Angonia has really been coming around. My roommate and I have been making friends out in the community and so we are starting to feel really integrated. The kapulanas I buy at the market are now only 90 mts each (as opposed to 100 mts) which means the vendor is starting to recognize me and want my business. My school collegues are starting to realize that I in fact DO speak Portuguese (how they just assume I only speak English is beyond me). I am really coming to realize that I’ll be living here for the next 2 years. Crazy enough that is the longest consecutive time I’ll have lived in one place since I moved out to college at age 18.
To celebrate on Wednesday, first off I have to teach classes all afternoon. My wonderful roommate is a great baker so we’ll have a few of our friends over for some cake or some other yummy dessert. Then all of the Tete volunteers are going to come up to Angonia around the 18th for a joint my birthday/St. Patrick’s day party so the real celebrating will have to wait until then. Eddie is going to go check for packages in Malawi again on Monday so hopefully I’ll actually have some presents to open on the day of my bday, but we’ll see!!