I got home earlier today. I had a long break in and around Maputo. I needed the break. The last two weeks of school were kind of crazy. We had tests, a holiday, and the President come to visit Mabalane.
President Guebuza came out and spent the night at the Majors house. The next morning he came out to the school. He was on time (which was a big surprise, because usually nothing is ever on time in Mozambique) and made a short visit, it was perfect. Forrest, all the teachers, and I got to shake his hand and he asked a couple questions. Then he planted a tree and said a few words to everyone and was gone.
The presidents appearance was pretty good for Mabalane. It is responsible for the school getting energy and the road getting fixed up a little. So it was cool to get to meet the president, get the road fixed, and the school now has energy. We should be getting energy at our house soon.
Forrest and I were ready to get out of Mabalane. Tuesday night, two weeks ago, we stayed up all night grading. We finally finished about 3am and then we got all our stuff ready and left at about 4am. We barely got on the bus and I didn't even have a seat. So after staying up all night I had to stand up for a couple hours on a crowded bus. It was a long day for me and I ended up sleeping on the floor at a friends house. I was burnt out and I was not enjoying Maputo the first couple days. There were a lot of volunteers in Maputo for a couple different things and it was cool to hang out with everyone. But a hassle trying to figure out where to meet up and waiting for people. Saturday I finally checked into the hotel my conference was at, and it was awesome. Then I got to sleep on a bed, take a shower with hot running water, and didn't have to carry my stuff all over the city anymore. The food at the hotel was free and really good. We went out dancing one night and there was a live karaoke band. He was fun. Then the last night at the hotel Drew, Eddie, Forrest, and I played Nintendo 64 with four controllers on a laptop. It was awesome. We played Mario Cart and 007. It reminded me of being back in high school. We were acting like kids playing video games and talking trash. One of our battles on 007 Forrest's weapon of choice was unarmed. Haha (Maybe you had to be there and most of my audience probably doesn't know what I am talking about but...) Anyways, it was hilarious and a lot of fun. At first I was so burnt out of traveling, not getting good sleep, and I hated being in the city. But after some rest I really enjoyed myself and look forward to going back to Maputo sometime.
I finally bought a guitar and this really awesome drum. I bought a punching bag, a couple other hand crafted instruments and miscellaneous items. I start school again tomorrow night. Not sure how many students will show up, but I'll see.
Before returning home I went back to Namaacha and stayed the night with my host family. It was really nice. They made me feel right at home, just like it was during training. Had dinner cooked for me and woke up in the morning with breakfast waiting for me. They put me back in the room I had before, made the bed with new sheets & blankets, and all that. It was also cool to be able to communicate better and see that my Portuguese is improving. I brought some gifts for my host niece and photos for the family. I will visit again for sure when I can.
The next night Forrest and I stayed at a hostel. I had walked all over the city that day and bought my drum. Then we walked around that night and went to the bar that had a African jazz band. They were good but the night was cut short because Forrest had to poop. I was kind of tired for walking around all anyway. But now I know the city really well for the next time I go.
The transportation here is crazy. The buses and vans will literally be packed until no one else can fit, not when there is not any seats. So you are often standing with someone right in front and behind. I'm talking about so close you are touching the person in front or you and behind you. Warning about to tell a fart story! Well actually it is not much of a story, but I was farted on the other day traveling to Namaacha. At first I was a little weirded out but I guess it is not that big of a deal. I mean he could have probably moved around a bit to not just rip one right up against my leg. But maybe it is just part of the culture. Also people pick their noses any and everywhere. I am really enjoying that. You got a booger in your nose, get it out! no big deal. I think I might bring that back to the states with me. In Iraq we would pick our noses all day because it was so dry and dusty. Then I had to relearn to not pick my nose when I got back to the states.
O I almost forgot. I had a stalker, Ivon, for a few days. The guys here are like Italians or maybe worse. Many men have two wives or houses with families. And the females volunteers are always getting harassed by men. So I finally got a taste of what this is like. I was walking home from playing basketball. This guy runs up, is talking really fast, and is pretty intense. I had class that night and wanted to get home to eat and shower. He wanted my number and I was trying to go home. So I gave him my number. That was a bad idea. I got a text late that night in English and I didn't speak English with Ivon at all. I thought it might have been one of the volunteers that I didn't have their number saved. But no, it was Ivon, kinda odd. Then the next day I get a call from Ivon. I didn't understand what he was saying in English or Portuguese. So I hung up. He continued calling me and finally I answered again and just ignored hoping he would hang up because phone calls are expensive here. But that didn't stop Ivon. Finally I hung up on him again. The night before Forrest had rode the train to Maputo and met Ivon on the train, I didn't know that. So that kind of made more sense to what he was saying. But anyways this dude probably called me 20 times in 3 days. And this is what the girl volunteers here have to put up with. So no more giving out my number. He was probably really drunk in his defense because at one time I passed the phone to one of my students and he didn't even understand him. Guys here are hughe alcoholics too. The people that do drink, drink to get wasted. And come weekend time they will be ridiculously drunk the whole weekend. They are like Jim Layhe (from Trailer Park Boys, probably spelled his name wrong).
O and speaking of drunk men. Our night watchmen here at the school, is like a very kind Layhe. I like him and cook extra dinner for him sometimes. But I don't think I have ever seen him sober. He usually has a strong booze odor. And sometimes when he is really drunk he tires to kiss me, that is usually pretty weird. But he is a nice old man. He just tries to kiss me when he is super drunk. Ok I think I am out of stuff to share. I'll try to update more often with shorter more interesting reads. Peace and love
Jimmy
