Orientation

After two days of orientation in Maputo, we’re heading to Namaacha (a town of about 40,000 people south of the capital, on the border with Swaziland) for pre-service training (PST). All I know about my family is that my host father’s name is Vasco, so I’m very curious to meet everyone. The 24 health volunteers live together in the same neighborhood. I really like my group of volunteers so far (Moz15) and the older volunteers orienting us have been very helpful, so Peace Corps is definitely off to a good start. During training, my internet access will be limited. Skyping will be rare, but I’m purchasing an internet phone during our field trip to Maputo next weekend, so I will have access to Gmail and Facebook then.

Highlights of orientation:

-I unknowingly ate goat, and it was delicious. Also, lots of my two favorite foods, rice and potatoes; I’m pretty pumped.

-Lots of shots. Luckily I only had to get three of a possible six… this round.

-Bucket bath demonstration: Basically, you keep rinsing yourself with cups of water from a bucket in a room next to the latrine (the whole in the ground/squat toilet). We’ve been warned that host mothers will very adamantly offer to bathe us at first. Luckily, “I can bathe myself” is in our packet of survival Portuguese (eu sei tomar banho).

-Mozambicans eat five times a day (three main meals and mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks), and bucket bathe three times a day. So obviously I’m going to be really busy.

-Several sessions on health and safety, so no worrying!

-Homestay orientation: Women and children eat on the floor while men sit at the table; we will do all of the host family’s activities with them; etc.