I've started another diary/journal in Portuguese, so I can practice. I may or may not decide to post it - even though that might not be a good idea, because I would have to post it myself (or could someone who knows Portuguese do it?)
Anyway, a Canadian couple who also works here in C--- stopped by today. They work for an NGO in Canada, and both speak French. They are from Montreal and Ottawa and are here working with the elderly and in providing Internet access. We are having a dinner with the Canadian/American contingent this Thursday - I'll make sure to bring up Moxy Fruvous, Ashley MacIsaac, Arrogant Worms, Great Big Sea, Toronto, trying to relearn French while I'm here, and some other things. It's exciting to have North Americans so close by, and they're going to be here until 2004, like me.
I didn't invite them into the house, but it was mainly because there were too many people here already. Hopefully, I still made a good first impression!
Last night, I also gave a short physics lesson, in Portuguese, to Jorgito. We discussed work, kinetic and potential energy and gravity as it relates to density, using household examples like a ball of string, and oil in water. It was exciting to be able to teach a subject I have relatively little training in, in a language I know only fairly well. And he got it, too, which was the best part. He wants to go to college in the States, and I've already set a goal for myself to do everything I can for him and his friends who want to do the same. It may not be very realistic to expect that I can get him there, but it's worth a try because he has the desire and capacity. Of course, like everything else, I have no idea where to start, but I guess I could try to contact State universities that might be trying to attract more foreigners. Yeah. This is gonna be fun. (FROM MOM --- JOHN ASKED ME TO DO WHAT I COULD AS WELL, AND IF ANYONE HAS SUGGESTIONS OUT THERE, FEEL FREE!)
Tomorrow, I'm going to school to meet the school director and pedagogical director. Hopefully, my Portuguese has improved enough at this point so that I'll have a handle on these conversations and not f--- anything up - especially their confidence in my ability to teach in Portuguese. Also, and some would say more importantly, I get the cell phone tomorrow for the Xmas break! Yes, I get to talk to people --- on my own phone (kinda...)
If I miss people for two years, how is that going to affect me? Is that even emotionally or physically safe? I don't want to stop missing people -- and will they continue to miss me?
I have less silence in my life now because this world that I'm in is constatnly alive - not necessarily with machinery or cars or music or people - but with life in its many forms. Chickens, dogs, insects, the light of the moon. But the silence, when I do find it, is the scariest part of being here. In the silence, my mind is free to travel to all the places I've been and relive all the things I've done. And remember all the people I love. In the silence, my mind creates an alternative universe where the people I know don't change and their daily activities stay routine. America slowly becomes as unimaginably unattainable as it is for most Mozambicans - yet there is the same reservation that it could never be everything you need.
In my mind, I've resolved that it will be two years before I return, so my vision of America is simply advanced two years - what I think it should look like when I go back. So when I visit places I know in my mind, it already seems like it's been years, simply because I know not to expect it to be the same.
However, the silence hasn't poisoned me. I'm able to look back and find the qualities of my previous life that I was truly happy about, and apply those universal truths to my life here. I already know how to help people here, because I have the basic tools. I just don't yet know what to build (or how to draw the plans in Portuguese :) )
And, of course, the silence forgets all too easily how much others do think about me, and care for me, as much as I do for them. The silence can never know love, because love doesn't take a two-year break.
The silence is my friend, but only a friend. I visit every so often, and when I do, I keep a distance.
Peace
John
Thursday, January 09, 2003
12/21/2002
(THIS IS MOM --- I RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING OVER 3 DAYS AND FINALLY HAVE A COHERENT GROUPING TO POST! THE VERY END IS QUITE ABRUPT, PROBABLY BECAUSE JOHN'S HOUSEMATE'S FAMILY WAS LEAVING AND HE JUST HAD TO RIP AND SEAL IT UP! FYI, I HAD A LONG TALK WITH JOHN ON NEW YEAR'S DAY AND HE'S DOING WONDERFULLY WELL AND SENDS HIS LOVE TO ALL.)
I just had a conversation in English for the first time in about 6 days. Wow.
There's a geography teacher here named Kingston who's from Zimbabwe. I speak Portuguese with him after saying "Good morning", etc., usually, and today when he stopped by my house with a friend, we switched to Portuguese on my cue.
Then he introduced his friend in English after a couple of minutes, and I asked him whether he spoke Portuguese. He didn't, so for his benefit, I continued the conversation in English.
It was hard, because I was so used to having to translate my thoughts, so about half of things I was saying came out like my Portuguese - choppy and slow. But it was really cool to feel like English was my second language. It's going to be hard when Tober and Blake come back and I don't have to speak Portuguese all the time. Maybe I'll make Blake speak "so portugues". That could be interesting...
I met a friend of Jorgito's who does theater teaching about SIDA and drug abuse with Jorgito, and we discussed where they perform, who they perform for, etc. I asked if they had a script that they worked from, and they said they would bring it. It was downright exciting to start my actual development work, however tangential this one meeting was to getting anything done.
But I know two years is not a long time when it comes to helping a community as large as C---.
My first impression of all the DJs here is "Man, this guy sucks."
But then it dawns on me that a DJ is a public servant, and he needs to do what people want to hear. So, by American standards, these DJs would suck, but by MOZ standards, American DJs would similarly suck.
It's like knowing a lot of biology, but not speak the language that people need to learn the material in. So I'm working on sucking less.
Peace
John
I just had a conversation in English for the first time in about 6 days. Wow.
There's a geography teacher here named Kingston who's from Zimbabwe. I speak Portuguese with him after saying "Good morning", etc., usually, and today when he stopped by my house with a friend, we switched to Portuguese on my cue.
Then he introduced his friend in English after a couple of minutes, and I asked him whether he spoke Portuguese. He didn't, so for his benefit, I continued the conversation in English.
It was hard, because I was so used to having to translate my thoughts, so about half of things I was saying came out like my Portuguese - choppy and slow. But it was really cool to feel like English was my second language. It's going to be hard when Tober and Blake come back and I don't have to speak Portuguese all the time. Maybe I'll make Blake speak "so portugues". That could be interesting...
I met a friend of Jorgito's who does theater teaching about SIDA and drug abuse with Jorgito, and we discussed where they perform, who they perform for, etc. I asked if they had a script that they worked from, and they said they would bring it. It was downright exciting to start my actual development work, however tangential this one meeting was to getting anything done.
But I know two years is not a long time when it comes to helping a community as large as C---.
My first impression of all the DJs here is "Man, this guy sucks."
But then it dawns on me that a DJ is a public servant, and he needs to do what people want to hear. So, by American standards, these DJs would suck, but by MOZ standards, American DJs would similarly suck.
It's like knowing a lot of biology, but not speak the language that people need to learn the material in. So I'm working on sucking less.
Peace
John
Saturday, December 28, 2002
11/26/2002
Had a good lesson today. Did a Predator and Prey game that I made up. It was complicated, but I managed to explain it with Zach's help.
Found out the exact Internet policy today. I need to have a disclaimer saying that these opinions are mine and not necessarily PC. If you've read this for a while...duh! Hehe.
There's been some complaining about training, language, etc. Most of it has manifested itself constructively, but some people aren't getting what they expected from the program. I think some people aren't getting what they expected from the program. I think some peoples' expectations are a little too high. Our trainers work hard and have to consider many different perspectives when teaching something. We don't know what we're getting into and they don't know where we're coming from. Some of us are teaching in Portuguese, some of us have strong Spanish backgrounds, others have weak French backgrounds. We all have different priorities, knowledge, strengths, weaknesses and learning styles. And in 10 weeks, we want to know everything.
It can get frustrating for anyone to be in this situation, as it has for many of us. I've resigned myself to the fact that it will take time for me to pick up the language, regardless of what is taught. It's a time and effort issue for me. I respond very similarly to good and bad teachers. Not so for others who are scared about their language abilities.
Hardship, I suppose.
Peace
John
(FROM MOM - THUS ENDS THE LATEST INSTALLMENT OF THE JOURNAL!)
Found out the exact Internet policy today. I need to have a disclaimer saying that these opinions are mine and not necessarily PC. If you've read this for a while...duh! Hehe.
There's been some complaining about training, language, etc. Most of it has manifested itself constructively, but some people aren't getting what they expected from the program. I think some people aren't getting what they expected from the program. I think some peoples' expectations are a little too high. Our trainers work hard and have to consider many different perspectives when teaching something. We don't know what we're getting into and they don't know where we're coming from. Some of us are teaching in Portuguese, some of us have strong Spanish backgrounds, others have weak French backgrounds. We all have different priorities, knowledge, strengths, weaknesses and learning styles. And in 10 weeks, we want to know everything.
It can get frustrating for anyone to be in this situation, as it has for many of us. I've resigned myself to the fact that it will take time for me to pick up the language, regardless of what is taught. It's a time and effort issue for me. I respond very similarly to good and bad teachers. Not so for others who are scared about their language abilities.
Hardship, I suppose.
Peace
John
(FROM MOM - THUS ENDS THE LATEST INSTALLMENT OF THE JOURNAL!)
11/25/2002
I had never seen a star twinkle before seeing a moonless night in Africa.
Of course, I could see hundreds of thousands of stars, after the beautiful sunset complete with pink clouds opposite the turquoise sky. And the only light pollution was the lights of Maputo - but the thing I noticed the most tonight was the amazing spectrum of twinkling stars.
We have songs written about such things, but they harken to times and places that were less polluted than 21st century America.
So when you see a star discretely change from red to white to blue and black...it's simply magical. You kinda rub your eyes to make sure what you saw, really happened, and you see it again.
In the States, we're so used to this phenomenon happening because of planes or satellites passing above. So it's our natural inclination to look to another star for confirmation.
So you look to a close star...red-blue-red-white-blue-red-blue-white...and then all of a sudden your focus pans out and you can see every star in the sky twinkling.
Suddenly, the very mysterious night sky becomes alive with evidence of the atmosphere that protects us every day. Like that friend who always does the little things but never takes the credit; you always feel safer knowing they're around.
Blah. My writing's getting sappy. When I have more time, I'll write about some cold, hard facts :)
Peace
John
Of course, I could see hundreds of thousands of stars, after the beautiful sunset complete with pink clouds opposite the turquoise sky. And the only light pollution was the lights of Maputo - but the thing I noticed the most tonight was the amazing spectrum of twinkling stars.
We have songs written about such things, but they harken to times and places that were less polluted than 21st century America.
So when you see a star discretely change from red to white to blue and black...it's simply magical. You kinda rub your eyes to make sure what you saw, really happened, and you see it again.
In the States, we're so used to this phenomenon happening because of planes or satellites passing above. So it's our natural inclination to look to another star for confirmation.
So you look to a close star...red-blue-red-white-blue-red-blue-white...and then all of a sudden your focus pans out and you can see every star in the sky twinkling.
Suddenly, the very mysterious night sky becomes alive with evidence of the atmosphere that protects us every day. Like that friend who always does the little things but never takes the credit; you always feel safer knowing they're around.
Blah. My writing's getting sappy. When I have more time, I'll write about some cold, hard facts :)
Peace
John
11/23/2002
Yesterday was a great day.
We finished our first week of model school yesterday, and the stress from that created an interesting vibe in the group. A lot of people had a tough time this past week, and nobody had it easy. Some current volunteers pitched in and threw us a party (complete with cheese quesadillas, brownies, chocolate chip cookies and smoothies - possibly the best thing any of us had tasted for quite a while) and PC got a DJ to school to play pretty much any music we wanted. Also, we had a very nice "Ngoma Time" - a bunch of talent came out in the group, led by Carolyn's singing prowess.
(In case you haven't noticed by now, I refer to everyone by their first name because I don't want to spoil their relative anonymity :) )
Anyway, before all this happened, we were told by PC (Paolo specifically) that we wouldn't be receiving mail this week because of problems in Maputo. Well, this was pretty rough because of the week we had had, so it didn't get the night off to a great start.
About midway through our party, Didinho (dih-dee-nyoo) let us know that mail had just arrived in the office and it was being delivered right then. Jubilation ensued!
I didn't want to build things up too much, but I ended up having the best mail day yet. I got 3 letters from the States, all sent around the end of October/beginning of November from my Dad, Lisa and Cara! I also got a RANDOM letter from this woman in Malta, Rebecca. She had foundmy address on this journal and wrote a very nice letter!
Receiving my first communication from Lisa was really big, especially since I got my first phone call from Eric this week too. As soon as I got hime, I told my host family that I got the letter, and my host dad told my host mom to go cut a rose.
We have two rosebushes around the house, and one of them has 3 blooms (2 now). They presented the flower on top of the letter and handed it to me very respectfully. I just about died, it was so thoughtful! Sometimes I wonder if my host family understands me and what is important to me (and of course, vice versa), but yesterday it was clear that they knew.
I read my Dad's letter with my host dad, helping him with pronunciation and trying to translate a very colloquial letter. It was a good time, especially since I had been drinking!
This is probably the first day I feel significantly more comfortable about being able to make it 2 years here. Not because of language, teaching ability, etc., but because I'm starting to reestablish communication with the people I'm close to, and it seems to be not only as important for them, but they all completely understand why I'm here and not there, with them. It's hard to admit, from both ends, but we all know that this is something I need to be doing right now.
I'm trying to really take account of how I feel right now, and why it feels good so that I can remember the next time things suck, which could be as soon as this afternoon.
I found that when I was getting stressed out lesson planning this week, it was relaxing to take a step back in my mind and look at the big picture: I'm in Moz, teaching Bio in Portuguese. This isn't supposed to be easy. And I'm not expected to be a good teacher for a few months yet, even a year. So the fact that I'm concerned that the homework I gave didn't make sense except to a couple of students, or I pronounced the word "vagina" incorrectly (with the accent on the first instead of second syllable), should tell me that I'm really doing quite well.
I have a lot of goals for myself this next week of model school, mainly involving Portuguese. One of my perceived weaknesses this past week was my energy level. I had a VERY quiet class of 6th and 7th grades learning 8th grade biology. It was tough to teach them when I was trying to be energetic and not getting anything back. Monday, I get the 10th graders who are apparently very energetic. It should be a good time!
Peace
John
We finished our first week of model school yesterday, and the stress from that created an interesting vibe in the group. A lot of people had a tough time this past week, and nobody had it easy. Some current volunteers pitched in and threw us a party (complete with cheese quesadillas, brownies, chocolate chip cookies and smoothies - possibly the best thing any of us had tasted for quite a while) and PC got a DJ to school to play pretty much any music we wanted. Also, we had a very nice "Ngoma Time" - a bunch of talent came out in the group, led by Carolyn's singing prowess.
(In case you haven't noticed by now, I refer to everyone by their first name because I don't want to spoil their relative anonymity :) )
Anyway, before all this happened, we were told by PC (Paolo specifically) that we wouldn't be receiving mail this week because of problems in Maputo. Well, this was pretty rough because of the week we had had, so it didn't get the night off to a great start.
About midway through our party, Didinho (dih-dee-nyoo) let us know that mail had just arrived in the office and it was being delivered right then. Jubilation ensued!
I didn't want to build things up too much, but I ended up having the best mail day yet. I got 3 letters from the States, all sent around the end of October/beginning of November from my Dad, Lisa and Cara! I also got a RANDOM letter from this woman in Malta, Rebecca. She had foundmy address on this journal and wrote a very nice letter!
Receiving my first communication from Lisa was really big, especially since I got my first phone call from Eric this week too. As soon as I got hime, I told my host family that I got the letter, and my host dad told my host mom to go cut a rose.
We have two rosebushes around the house, and one of them has 3 blooms (2 now). They presented the flower on top of the letter and handed it to me very respectfully. I just about died, it was so thoughtful! Sometimes I wonder if my host family understands me and what is important to me (and of course, vice versa), but yesterday it was clear that they knew.
I read my Dad's letter with my host dad, helping him with pronunciation and trying to translate a very colloquial letter. It was a good time, especially since I had been drinking!
This is probably the first day I feel significantly more comfortable about being able to make it 2 years here. Not because of language, teaching ability, etc., but because I'm starting to reestablish communication with the people I'm close to, and it seems to be not only as important for them, but they all completely understand why I'm here and not there, with them. It's hard to admit, from both ends, but we all know that this is something I need to be doing right now.
I'm trying to really take account of how I feel right now, and why it feels good so that I can remember the next time things suck, which could be as soon as this afternoon.
I found that when I was getting stressed out lesson planning this week, it was relaxing to take a step back in my mind and look at the big picture: I'm in Moz, teaching Bio in Portuguese. This isn't supposed to be easy. And I'm not expected to be a good teacher for a few months yet, even a year. So the fact that I'm concerned that the homework I gave didn't make sense except to a couple of students, or I pronounced the word "vagina" incorrectly (with the accent on the first instead of second syllable), should tell me that I'm really doing quite well.
I have a lot of goals for myself this next week of model school, mainly involving Portuguese. One of my perceived weaknesses this past week was my energy level. I had a VERY quiet class of 6th and 7th grades learning 8th grade biology. It was tough to teach them when I was trying to be energetic and not getting anything back. Monday, I get the 10th graders who are apparently very energetic. It should be a good time!
Peace
John
11/21/2002
I talked with Eric today. It was really great to hear from him. Even though I miss him just as much, it's infinitely better having this connection...
I'm glad I brought the music I brought - I've been listening to Speakeasy a lot lately and a lot of folk. It's nice to hear familiar voices :)
Model school is hard. And stressful. WOOT!
Peace
John
I'm glad I brought the music I brought - I've been listening to Speakeasy a lot lately and a lot of folk. It's nice to hear familiar voices :)
Model school is hard. And stressful. WOOT!
Peace
John
11/20/2002
I really hate McDonald's.
Really.
McD's represents everything the PC experience does not represent. You go to McD's for quick, easy solutions to one of life's major problems. You expect to pay a small price for something that isn't good for you, but goes down easy.
It disgusted me way before I ever considered the PC experience. And the fact that it was brought as a gift for us this week nearly made me vomit.
It was a taste of home for some people, who enjoyed their guilty pleasures. I had to leave the room, however. I couldn't handle smelling or being around such nasty food. It was ushered from South Africa by a staff member, posthaste.
Iggy, one of the training coordinators, dug into his McD's cheeseburger with zeal. From Zimbabwe, he has a completely different perspective on McD's food because it isn't a replacement meal - it's a treat.
So I explained to him why I was so put off: the way McD's monopolizes farmers and controls both methods and prices of beef, misleading tactics to sell their products, their lack of conscience when it comes to what they sell and how fat they help make people, etc. This was all new to him and somewhat entertaining. I felt pretty ridiculous afterwards, realizing that I just tried to explain to someone who has bigger concerns than boycotting business practices that reflect a different society's values. But I think we both learned from the experience.
However, I still detest McDonald's.
Model school is going well, and I'm trying new things every day to see how they fly. I was a live model for the muscular system today. I was shirtless for Sawyer's demonstration of major muscle groups. It was really funny, but I don't think they're going to forget that lesson!
Peace
John
Really.
McD's represents everything the PC experience does not represent. You go to McD's for quick, easy solutions to one of life's major problems. You expect to pay a small price for something that isn't good for you, but goes down easy.
It disgusted me way before I ever considered the PC experience. And the fact that it was brought as a gift for us this week nearly made me vomit.
It was a taste of home for some people, who enjoyed their guilty pleasures. I had to leave the room, however. I couldn't handle smelling or being around such nasty food. It was ushered from South Africa by a staff member, posthaste.
Iggy, one of the training coordinators, dug into his McD's cheeseburger with zeal. From Zimbabwe, he has a completely different perspective on McD's food because it isn't a replacement meal - it's a treat.
So I explained to him why I was so put off: the way McD's monopolizes farmers and controls both methods and prices of beef, misleading tactics to sell their products, their lack of conscience when it comes to what they sell and how fat they help make people, etc. This was all new to him and somewhat entertaining. I felt pretty ridiculous afterwards, realizing that I just tried to explain to someone who has bigger concerns than boycotting business practices that reflect a different society's values. But I think we both learned from the experience.
However, I still detest McDonald's.
Model school is going well, and I'm trying new things every day to see how they fly. I was a live model for the muscular system today. I was shirtless for Sawyer's demonstration of major muscle groups. It was really funny, but I don't think they're going to forget that lesson!
Peace
John
11/19/2002
I hadmy first full class today, and I suppose it went well - it was really tough to get the kids to participate, and even harder when you can't explain yourself fully.
I had a couple of fairly vivid, sentimental dreams last night. The ones I remember now involved the two people I miss the most and haven't been able to communicate with to this point for many reasons - Eric and Lisa.
It's hard to write about this, because I miss them so much. I had a great conversation with my mom (real mom) on Saturday night - and so it makes me miss them that much more, knowing that I'm close to making contact with them. I guess what's more is that our relationships can't help but change over 2 years. I really do feel like I'm on the moon sometimes - whether it be communication, culture, or just this awkward adjustment period. I don't know if there will be a point where I'm completely comfortable being here, but I don't know that I want that. I think feeling like I always need to be working on integrating is a good thing and will make me more culturally aware.
Continuing in a fairly sentimental tone, this is the last page of my first journal, a milestone of sorts. I hope it's the beginning of a long journey with the people who are reading this and a good way for the people I love to keep up with me in the in-between times...
Love and Peace
John
I had a couple of fairly vivid, sentimental dreams last night. The ones I remember now involved the two people I miss the most and haven't been able to communicate with to this point for many reasons - Eric and Lisa.
It's hard to write about this, because I miss them so much. I had a great conversation with my mom (real mom) on Saturday night - and so it makes me miss them that much more, knowing that I'm close to making contact with them. I guess what's more is that our relationships can't help but change over 2 years. I really do feel like I'm on the moon sometimes - whether it be communication, culture, or just this awkward adjustment period. I don't know if there will be a point where I'm completely comfortable being here, but I don't know that I want that. I think feeling like I always need to be working on integrating is a good thing and will make me more culturally aware.
Continuing in a fairly sentimental tone, this is the last page of my first journal, a milestone of sorts. I hope it's the beginning of a long journey with the people who are reading this and a good way for the people I love to keep up with me in the in-between times...
Love and Peace
John
11/18/2002
It's been 48 days in Peace Corps, and already many of my perspectives on the world have changed. I now know how similar people are and how cultures radically alter relationships, but enrich them at the same time.
So I found out why everyone has water issues. Apparently, the water is off for the entire province (or at least this area) because of some work on the pipes. Of course, things were supposed to be fixed already.
I probably shouldn't mention this, but the pheromones are up again this week. Many of the women in the group are ovulating, and so hormones are going crazy. It's funny to be aware of this and see how differently people act!
Peace
John
So I found out why everyone has water issues. Apparently, the water is off for the entire province (or at least this area) because of some work on the pipes. Of course, things were supposed to be fixed already.
I probably shouldn't mention this, but the pheromones are up again this week. Many of the women in the group are ovulating, and so hormones are going crazy. It's funny to be aware of this and see how differently people act!
Peace
John
Friday, December 27, 2002
11/17/2002
Water Problems
Usually when I wake up on Sundays (NOTE: The word "usually" has taken on new meaning here, as anything that happens twice is considered ritual to me.), I wash my clothes. But today, I was asked what was most important to wash.
There are still plenty of mysteries of living here because many of the day-to-day events are only communicated in dialect. I noticed that we had very little water this morning, which was unusual. I started washing my bed sheets, then offered to help get water after it was apparent that that needed to happen.
Most of the bigger families here have wheelbarrows and 25kg water bottles. The wheelbarrows are all marked with "UNICEF" and the water bottles are all the same brand, in either yellow, green or black.
So I started carting the wheelbarrow of empty bottles (4 of them). Please take note that it's VERY strange for a white person to be carting water, even if it is empty. I got a ton of laughs and greetings of "Carting water, eh?" in Portuguese. I responded by saying it was my first time.
About 4 other trainees saw me along the way, as it was a long walk. We finally got to a house, escorted by my brother Antonio (who was acting drum major in our 2-man parade). We waited for my host dad to catch up, and then he determined that they didn't have any water. The house we had stopped at recommended we go to the Mosque.
So we went to one of the nicest buildings in town, a living, breathing Mosque. The man we spoke with was in traditional garb, and seemed to be giving my dad the runaround. We were offering to pay for water (you have to pay for it anyway, unless you go to the river) but he just disappeared after a while. I think my host dad just lost patience. And we weren't alone. There were at least a dozen women waiting.
So Antonio took the water back as we "passear"ed to Zach's place. My dad always asks about him because he "never visits" - which is considered rude, to have a friend who doesn't visit. I tried to explain that he's got a lot of work, etc., but it didn't seem to help.
So, at 8:30AM we stopped by - and Zach was still asleep. His brother woke him up (as company necessitates) and so I immediately told him to go back to sleep, as I explained to my host dad that he was tired. First, my host dad asked Zach why he hasn't come to visit, but we managed to get out of there without much of an issue :)
Carolyn and Sawyer both stop by a lot and end up talking Sr. Bernardo for a while if I'm not there. It's funny to hear them talk about it, because it's a double-edged sword. They love the conversation, but they don't always have the time for it. Kinda the same way I feel sometimes.
Peace
John
(THIS IS MOM-- I'm pooped and will continue this tomorrow...)
Usually when I wake up on Sundays (NOTE: The word "usually" has taken on new meaning here, as anything that happens twice is considered ritual to me.), I wash my clothes. But today, I was asked what was most important to wash.
There are still plenty of mysteries of living here because many of the day-to-day events are only communicated in dialect. I noticed that we had very little water this morning, which was unusual. I started washing my bed sheets, then offered to help get water after it was apparent that that needed to happen.
Most of the bigger families here have wheelbarrows and 25kg water bottles. The wheelbarrows are all marked with "UNICEF" and the water bottles are all the same brand, in either yellow, green or black.
So I started carting the wheelbarrow of empty bottles (4 of them). Please take note that it's VERY strange for a white person to be carting water, even if it is empty. I got a ton of laughs and greetings of "Carting water, eh?" in Portuguese. I responded by saying it was my first time.
About 4 other trainees saw me along the way, as it was a long walk. We finally got to a house, escorted by my brother Antonio (who was acting drum major in our 2-man parade). We waited for my host dad to catch up, and then he determined that they didn't have any water. The house we had stopped at recommended we go to the Mosque.
So we went to one of the nicest buildings in town, a living, breathing Mosque. The man we spoke with was in traditional garb, and seemed to be giving my dad the runaround. We were offering to pay for water (you have to pay for it anyway, unless you go to the river) but he just disappeared after a while. I think my host dad just lost patience. And we weren't alone. There were at least a dozen women waiting.
So Antonio took the water back as we "passear"ed to Zach's place. My dad always asks about him because he "never visits" - which is considered rude, to have a friend who doesn't visit. I tried to explain that he's got a lot of work, etc., but it didn't seem to help.
So, at 8:30AM we stopped by - and Zach was still asleep. His brother woke him up (as company necessitates) and so I immediately told him to go back to sleep, as I explained to my host dad that he was tired. First, my host dad asked Zach why he hasn't come to visit, but we managed to get out of there without much of an issue :)
Carolyn and Sawyer both stop by a lot and end up talking Sr. Bernardo for a while if I'm not there. It's funny to hear them talk about it, because it's a double-edged sword. They love the conversation, but they don't always have the time for it. Kinda the same way I feel sometimes.
Peace
John
(THIS IS MOM-- I'm pooped and will continue this tomorrow...)
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