First Post in Mozambique

Hello there!!!!!!!!!!! This is my first post in Africa. On Wednesday May, 29th, my fellow Peace Corps volunteer and I, left the United States for Africa. It takes roughly 15 hours of flight from NYC and Johannesburg. I slept throughout the whole ride. I have not been sleeping for the past 5 days. I was finishing packing, spending time with family and friends.  Packing, that I ended up repacking at the airport since I was exceeding the luggage weight limit. I realized I over packed and brought way too much with me. But all is well and I know I will be able to get what’s missing in Mozambique.

Right now, I feel exhausted and numb. I do not have a particular feeling on anything. I am excited, yet nervous. Leaving my family and friends and all the people I love was hard from me. I did not realize how much I Iove New York City.  I see now that I am leaving behind amazing people and great memories. The goodbyes were much harder this time than when I left Paris, left my family and friends to go NYC. I was doing fine because I was leaving my family in France for my other family in the USA. Now, this is different since I am leaving the US to meet with a new family with new people and in a total different environment. I am excited about finally being in the Peace Corps. I was waiting for 2 years. It was a long but yet fast process. When people ask me how do I feel about leaving for 2 years. I respond it will go fast. And it will be….and that’s what makes me anxious a bit. Time goes fast when you have fun. But I know it will feel long at times.

So, here is an overview of what we have been doing since our arrival. We arrived in Maputo, and were gladly welcomed my no one. Yes, the Peace Corps staff was not expecting us that early. So after this misunderstanding and a little more patience we are greeted by the country director Carl Swartz… (And I think I am misspelling his name)

After the airport we were drove to this really nice hotel/resort called Girassol Hoteis. Nice spot, with a pool, gym and delicious food. The next day we went to the Peace Corps office which is located 5 min away from the hotel. The neighborhood where we are staying is very posh with nice houses and guards standing in front of them. It seems like a much secured area. After meeting all of the Peace Corps staff, we got our round of shots and medical kit. I was injected Meningitis, Rabies, Hepatis A and some other shot….I cannot count anymore. But I am fine with it. The more I receive shots, the more relieved I am lol.We also received our malaria pill which I have to take one week. I am a bit anxious about the side effects of this pill but I hope all will work out. Then, after our medical interview, we had our Portuguese interview. It was my very first conversation in Portuguese and I have to say that I am so glad I know French and Spanish to back me up. The interview wasn’t bad at all but I do need to start learning the basics. I am really excited in the idea that I will learn another language. On my count it will be my 7^th language to study. Don’t be amazed I am not completely fluent in all of these languages but I am still practicing as much as I can. Portuguese is funny to hear and pronounce to be honest. The Peace Corps says that it has the best language training in the world and I do believe it since all the volunteers has to have a conversational/intermediate level in order to start the two years of service.  But anyway I am not too worried for me I will study hard in order to acquire a decent level of Portuguese and rock these two years.

ANYWAYS, this first post is LONG sorry about that. What I can say quickly is that I am not having the impression that I am in Africa yet….From NYC to Maputo and its really nice hotel. I have not had any culture shock yet. I have been living in a cocoon so far and been very jetlagged and tired. HOWEVER, tomorrow is the real experience. I am moving out of Maputo to Namaacha, which is an hour and half from the city. I will be staying there for 3 months. Basically I will be there during our whole training living with a host family. All I know right now is that I will be living with a family of 5 people. There is the mother, another woman of my age, a younger daughter of 17, an 11 years old boy and a newborn of 7 months. I am looking forward in meeting with them and spending three months of my life with them and learn their culture. ohh… I just learned today how to shower with a bucket….the experience starts now….Will keep you posted on how everything goes….Boa noite!  J