Hello!
Just wanted to update everyone on what's going on over here in Mozambique. My life over here in Mangunde has been fairly low key as of late with a few fun trips to see some friends. Two weeks ago in late February I took a trip down to Vilankulos with a bunch of other Peace Corps Volunteers which ended up being a lot fun. Vilankulos is a beautiful little place in the Inhambane province of Mozambique while there I was able to experience my first African Sunrise over the beach, I ate guacamole (it was a magical experience), got to know a bunch of the volunteers from the south (all amazing people), and received a fantastic package from the states from two of my good friends Maria and Jackie. The name of the event was called "bro summit" and it involved getting a bunch of the "bros" from the central and south regions together. I have yet to clearly define what a "bro" is or whether or not it is a good or bad thing to be considered one, however it was a wonderful excuse to get together with friends and have a few beers.
Outside of that event which happened two weeks ago, my life in Mangunde keeps me pretty busy. I normally get up between 5 and 6 and go for a run (on the days I feel the motivation) I then get back take a bucket bath, and head off to classes everyday monday-thursday from 7am-12pm. I come back to the house at noon where normally lunch has already been made for Ian and I by Gracinda, I eat do a little work, and then either head back to class in the afternoons, plan my lessons or club meetings and end up just chatting with students or doing random tasks throughout the day. I usually eat dinner by 7:30 or 8, chat with Ian for awhile and then pass out by around 10pm. At think at this point in my service I have reached the point where my day to day life is pretty mundane lol. I enjoy getting up and going to work in the mornings, though after teaching for 5 hours (or 9 hours on Monday’s) I am usually too wiped out to do anything more than eat, and chat with students and my roommate before I go to bed.
Mangunde is starting to really grow on me as a site. The people are friendly and I feel that slowly but surely I'm adjusting to my new job, new people, and the culture of Mozambique. A funny little side note about Mozambican culture: Here in Mozambique big a little "chunky”, “fat", or "gordo" as they like to say in Mozambique is considered a sign of wealth and prosperity. So the kids at my school, teachers, and the general public always surprise me when I hear them call Ian, myself or each other fat. Imagine having someone walk up to you pat your stomach and say "wow, you’re looking really fat today" and for this to be a complete compliment, no sarcasm, no negative connotation just a simple good natured greeting among friends. This happens quite often here, and it always catches me off guard. :-)
<3 miss you
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