Watched more lessons, talked more theory with teachers learning to teach in Mozambique for the first time. It was a good time and hard work. Tomorrow the U.S. Ambassador comes!
(AND ONCE MORE INTO THE VACATION...)
Sunday, November 9
We saw lots of other animals, including some wildebeest before leaving Kruger. We got through Customs a whole lot easier on the way out, though a problem copying down the licence plate incorrectly nearly held us up for some time.
We got into Maputo at a decent hour after dropping the car off at the airport. It was only mildly sad to see the car go.
We relaxed at the hotel for a couple hours before grabbing dinner at the pizza place. Thoroughly exhausted from Kruger and travel in general, managed a good night's sleep.
Monday, November 10th
We woke up and took a walk to get the chapa for our training site. It was a nice walk through the garden, down to the "baixa", or lower area.
The chapa was a fun experience for both of us, comfortable but cramped at the same time. When we arrived at my old house, neither Sr. Bernardo nor the kids were around. We ended up waiting an excruciating 4 hours in the heat with very little available water, until everyone arrived. When they did, we quickly presented the presents for the family and were walked to the chapa back to Maputo.
We met Ebi in Maputo and he showed us around some of the richer areas of the city. He shared his unique perspective with us over a couple of drinks.
Later, Charles, Annie and the rest of the family joined us for dinner and we stayed out quite late in Mom's last night in Mozambique. Even took a "party" chapa at one point - so called due to the booming stereo system and drunk people inside who were very happy to see us.
Tuesday, November 11
Over the course of the day, Charles' family left, we ate lunch back in town, then went back to the airport to see off his brother Julien and my mother. It was all pretty rushed (as things go here), and waving from the tarmac, it really occurred to me how short a visit it was. It's hard to describe all the feelings going through my head now and over a week ago, because it's a strange mix of sentimentality with every other emotion. Also, there's just the expectation that in a year, things will be normal again when clearly they will never be "normal" - I've changed as a person, however subtly, and that will affect everything when I go back.
Peace
John
