Hey Everyone~
Well I am still in Africa, we have had 2 people leave already. Life has been going pretty good. I went on a site visit last week to Chicuque and it was awesome. The volunteers were literally 5 minutes from the beach. Talk about gorgeous, I want to live there and there will be an opening, so I can only hope. Anyway I finally got a dictionary and I have been conversing with my family a lot more. I will be cooking them mashed potatoes on Sunday since they have never had them before. So that should be fun.
This weekend I went out last night and had a blast. I have only had a few hours of sleep so I might not be very coherent in this email. Talk about feeling like you haven't left america. All american music with a few mozambican songs mixed in. But wow is it cheap, Beer is less than a dollar. I got up really early this morning so that I could catch a bus to come and buy a cell phone, yes I have one and write this email. Cor I need you to let my mom use your calling card until next week when I can email her the numbers to mine. My number is 258-82-294-663.
I can't wait till this training thing is over. It is long and boring. The sites seem like they will be more fun. But I have finished week three and am going into week four. So I am almost half way done. OH it is 11:58 am here and 4:58 am in Chicago, so when you call just take that into consideration.
So I feel like I just don't know what to write. Nothing much has been happening, besides school, school and more school. We have met a bunch of other volunteers and they are real nice and fun to party with. I am determined that everyone here likes to drink.
Mom and Scott I received what I am assuming is your first letters. I just got them yesterday. I almost started to cry and then I did.
So I have seen a lot of cows, chickens, dogs, cats and goats and a monkey tied to a tree. But otherwise I guess fmost of the game in Mozambique does not exist, supposedly because of the war and the land mines. It kind of stinks but I guess thats part of life.
So I have a funny story about the other night. My latrine is outside in the open air. Well I was getting ready for bed and decided to go to the bathroom before my family locked the house up. Well I always shine a light down the latrine so all the roaches will scatter and nothinbg jumps out. Well while I was hovering something jumped on my back, I just know it was a roach. I freaked and was paranoid the rest of the night. I have been seeing more and more roaches lately and I guess it is just something I have to get used too. At least I haven't seen rats like some of the other volunteers.
It is starting to get really hot here. Though the weather reminds me of chicago. One day it is sweltering and the next it is freezing. WE are going into summer which is supposed to be brutal. But hey I picked Africa so I am not going to complain.
So I figured out I really miss fast food. When you have been drinking at night and there is nothing but a 24 hour gas station, which I have heard will become our best friend when it gets hot because it is the only place that is air conditioned.
Cor have fun with Tom, Tom enjoy yourself at home. (Tom is finally coming back from hte middle east). Sorry I missed you but hey, life is calling.
Sarah sounds like your having fun in that little town that I can't remember the name of. But sounds like you miss henry loads.- you''ll see him soon
Farhana-you've only got a little bit more of school and good luck on the GRE. Tell me about it when its over. I have to prep myself at some point.
Raj-glad to know your cell bill doesn't exist since I left, call me in africa, I am sure that will help.
Jeannette-I am so pround of you. I am really happy to hear you are doing good. Give the kids lots of hugs and kisses from me and call me so we can talk.
Mom you sound like you are doing great and I am glad to hear that. Good luck with the jobs. I am glad to hear that you are keeping yourself bussy.
Scott thought the letter was great. I am looking forward to hearing a lot more.
I know there are a bunch of people I am missing but I can only mention so many with time constraints.
I hope everyone is doing well and I want you all to know that I love you guys dearly and miss you tons
Shells
PS do not send anything in envelopes, unless they are bubbled or something. People tend to tear the ends off and see if there is anythign good inside and there goes whatever was in the envelope. We get the envelope and letter but not the other goods.