trip to the market

Guapa (Francisco). 8 years old. Never been to the city part of Beira. Today was his first venture out of Manga area and into the Baixa where buildings rise overhead, chapas wiz by and smells of fresh bread. Stinky garbage and mystery items are abundant. At first we wondered why Guapa’s head turned at every shop we past so he could see what it beheld, and why he was so quiet and held my hand tight; but the older boys said it was his first time in the city. People looked at us probably wondering why a white girl has a cute little black boy. We took a trip to SHOPRITE, the big supermarket where one can get almost anything they need (if it is in supply > usually they run out of things like peanut butter or ice-cream and yogurt). His jaw was dropped, eyes popped and voice silent the whole time. I asked if he wanted to go down each isle, and each time he nodded his head eyes not able to fixate on one thing, hand still cusped in mine. The last isle we went down he took a sudden turn in front of me cutting me off and stood in front of some toy guns hanging beside jars of TANG fruit-juice. He stood there for a while not moving, then had the courage to stroke the plastic case that encaged his prize. He didn't smile or talk the whole ride home. Just let the sights, smells and sounds absorb.

Yesterday I held a sports/activity day for the boys. We broke them up into 4 teams and had volleyball tournaments, tug-of-war, egg-in-spoon-in-mouth races, mango-bobbing, bog-races etc. It was a success. We bought refrescos (cokes, fantas, sprite) for everyone and had chicken for dinner where loosing teams had to cook, serve and clean. Since Patricia left today, we had a little show to dispidir (say goodbye) her. Heather and I decided to participate. We did a duet of “lean on me” and then jokingly sung ‘you are my sun shine’ which we could not complete because of our intense laughing. Then for the faunally we out on some holographic glasses (sent from my mom back home) and did mock-tai-Kwando, bowed and walked off stage. Then had a dance party with the boys until midnight and mosquitoes were too intense to stay up any more.

Tropic Thunder

Rainy season. Showers have begun. Thunder and lightning is much more intense then back home, especially when everything is amplified by tin roofs. Today was going to be a beach day, but turned into a board-games, tea, and movies day because the crazy down pour of rain we got. One of many urban myths here is that people are hurt or killed by the sound of thunder, and the lightning is the warning the killer thunder is coming. So when you see light, you are to hit the ground so the thunder doesn't get you. Unfortunately it is quite backwards, although it would be nice to know when and if you were about to be ‘thundered’ to death.

Metacainias are a type of sand flee and burrows into your feet and lays its egg sac around it self, and a needle is used to dig it out, being carful not to break the egg sac and spread the babies. I have been pretty proud I had not had one of these crazy things that I was told wiggle in your toes so you cant sleep at night etc… and then the other day I saw something particular in my 2nd toe of my right foot. I got one of the boys to take out my first metacainia and it turned out there was 3 in the same toe under my nail! EwwwW! I have broken my record on the first shot, and I think some of my other toes have them as well. My feet are in rough condition as usual, and I wouldn't mind anyone’s prayers or thoughts and even suggestions towards my situation. Metacainias are very common, even there is a soccer cheer saying in the Sena language “leave metacainias leave! You itch metacainias you itch!”. One team chants this towards the opposing team. Cute.

Everywhere I go everything is full of life. Literally. I have a mushroom growing beside my light switch on my wall, and various other types of mold along it. Towels, cloths that don't dry for days and straw baskets give my room a nice musky smell. Each night my bed sheets have a moist feature as if they were pulled from the drying-machine too soon. At least I don't need to put on moisturizer. ☺

p.s. I have my old number back 258 824276276!!! So call / text anytime. I usually have insomnia or am up chasing rats so don't worry about the time difference.