Sunday at the Market

 Sunday Market: Rain or Shine, Buy or Sell

Today is my seventh Sunday here in Magude and for me there are no questions on what to do like the other days.  I am going to do what everybody else does; I’m taking my shopping bag and going to the market.

It is so important for me to integrate into this community; it will not complete anything to be a visitor. This is one of the ways to become a neighbor. This people are genuinely friendly and many know my name – it thrills me to have people come up to me and ask how I am.  They actually stop and wait for a reply and then thank me for asking them the same. Unlike our cultural you really wait for a answer, and nobody seems to be in a hurry (can you 

This continues to amaze me!

imagine!).

I often am deep in thought about something that needs to be done and how I am going to go about it.  I’ve had to make a very conscientious effort to delay that habit till I am alone, not easy, it is such a habit. The market and walking to the hospital is when I practice.

This market is in the middle of the village on a huge lot, rights next to the railroad built over 50 years ago under Portuguese rule.  

The lot is vacant during the week, just used by walkers to cut directly to the next neighborhood, but on Sunday from sunrise to sunset it is the shopping center and social spot of my villa and the surrounding villages.

The staple items for everyday living are sold here …

These basins are used for grinding food material.

 Clothes quality, second hand  that are donated from outside organizations, like Salvation Army.

 Cleaning supplies - matches, and mayonnaise. Yeah Toilet paper! (It is not 100% common, water can be used, or leaves).

The traditional healer’s potions…

And the social aspect of going to the market; curiosity and smiles!

 

But of course, purchased the most… FOOD. 

Potatoes and onions staple.

NOODLES!

Peanuts, used in food like we use black pepper/

I also introduced garlic bread and a vegetable omelet to the delight of dinner guests. 

For about a week now, I have a gas stove and a refrigerator, so I’m feeling more settled in. Peanut butter and I have rekindled a bond for the first four weeks! 

She gave me all of her sweet potatoes!

The items do not vary as they do in the States, and neither does the cuisine.  So far I have eaten in three homes and the daily plates have not varied much at all. Diversity has not yet been franchise here in this southern Provence; seems that the items that are harvested are also used for one specific dish. One example that has made me giggle is the staple food of xima. Xima is a boiled corn meal; it resembles smooth, dense, grits or mashed potatoes, yet it has no taste. I had to improvise to be able to eat it by adding sugar and margarine (it reminded me of Farina) much to the amazement of my hostess.  Her face was like if someone at home put mustard on a slice of pizza! 

As soon as I create some Mozambican / Italian / American dishes I will share my recipes.

 Honestly, since I'm discussing food:  I would fly home for a weekend just to eat my mom's lasagna or make chili for my kids! Oh and I have caught myself glued- staring at facebook pictures of a dish that someone made for dinner! I can’t even thing about ice-cream, it makes me whine.  XO

Ps.  On the bright side with the walking and eating healthier I have lost 20 lbs and feel better.

I'm here, but now what?

The Peace Corp approach to development:

Improve and develop the capacity of human development through their resources and skills.  The approach is people centered from the bottom up, participation and inclusion of those involved for the long term gain.

Just two weeks ago we sat at the ceremony to be certified Peace Corps Volunteers the appeal of that statement brightens the horizon of the next two years. That view right now is emotionally daunted by the day to day steps to reach that horizon. The two weeks have been relatively long now that I am residing at my permanent site.

 I must admit that the adventure in me is tainted by the reality of seeing what happens here – especially today at the hospital when a four year old past away in front of my because of diarrhea.  Diarrhea for more than a week, her eyes were bulging and she couldn’t hold her head up she was so weak. To further dishearten me I learned that little girl was not out of the ordinary. The statistics sting your heart when you actually see another number added.   This heartrending episode was not that clear to me in the Peace Corps training or maybe PC believes we counteract this episode. I just didn’t have a chance yet to help this little girl, I will think of her as I plan parent educational workshops. “Diarrhea, Dehydration, and Death” – a bit bold but my marketing skills tonight are brazen. 

On the brighter side of being here:

Other traits that are embedded in me also need to go on the back burner fast; productive (one, two, three here is snail speed), resourceful (items are very limited- I stroked super glue from the street vendor because I was so surprised to see it!); and not having a full schedule (my daily planner is still empty and collects dust). You can see how I need to tweak these characteristics so I can be content serving here.

I am thinking that creativity needs to be in my formula, right now being creative is crucial to setting up my apartment. My apartment sits in a gated back yard of a major road 10 minute walk to the hospital. It is new, safe, and has two large rooms and a bathroom. The toilet sings to me when I flush it which I do before getting in the shower and brushing my teeth in the sink. It’s heavenly. The cement walls were just painted so I’m settling in.

Now back on the creative topic:  With a very tight moving in allowance I need to be penny wise in the kitchen – I don’t have one. So far I bought a small coal burning grill, an electric water heater, two pots, and plastic basins as a sink. My landlord invites me to eat and has offered plates and glasses to use. My first request for a care package of prepped food packages went to Jeanine, my friend who can make a mean dish out of anything. My second went to my daughter for miscellaneous items like a peeler and gummy bears.  I found a carpenter who made shelves which go on cinder blocks – that is my wardrobe closet, pantry, and bookshelves.

 I was very surprised when a bed set – including mattress – was dropped off from the Ariel Glazer Foundation (they co-sponsor with PC and are funded by USAID/PEPFAR).

Kitchen- so far.

So that’s it so far…two weeks done, 102 to go!


                      

It’s all in the attitude…..and God’s mercy
 (chocolate and the internet have helped). xo

It's Official

July 29^th, 2015

I sit here on the front porch of my host home watching the sun set as beautifully has it has for the last thirteen weeks.  Tonight is my last night here in Mozambique as a Peace Corps Trainee.  After thirteen weeks…long at times… we head to the U.S. Embassy tomorrow and get sworn in as Peace Corps Volunteers.

We are told that this is a ceremony, very formal, with appetizers with the ambassador and media coverage. It seems extravagant but them the Peace Corps motto “The toughest job you’ll ever love” deems the formality of the day.

All of us, 34 total, are eager to practice what the training has covered; workshops on preventing HIV, dealing with positive results, malnutrition, infant mortality, malaria, to mention a few “hot” topics.  The training has covered the technical aspects so we have capacity, yet there is a gap.  It’s not possible to hit the job running, the challenge will be to assimilate into the community, get accepted, and then with few resources deliver the information. The stressful part is that the information will save lives; we are not selling blue jeans.

I do need to often remind myself constantly of the purpose of my being here. Honestly, looking down at my dirty feet caused by dirt terracotta roads and my flip flops after the bucket bath with two gallons of water, explains the frequent reminders. Cravings of candy, my coffee brewer, clean mugs, a dishwasher, CNN, stable internet, lasagna, and half-n-half,  convinces myself that time flies. 

Right now the conclusion of the training portion thrills me as we get in the van and start the challenging trek.  I bet the liquorice that my family sent will help as soon as it gets here!

I want to thank the trainers and those involved with drying the water behind our ears. And thanks to my 33 PCV peeps, which made this mother hen always look forward to their company with pride to be in their group. Thank you for keeping up on my adventure with your blog views.

Of course I am especially thankful that my kids who are proceeding very well will just three skype talks a week from me.  And my mom who just whimpers instead of crying! 

Prayers are answered.  xo