Sunday, June 1, 2008

“Good drinks, good friends, good vibrations”

I recently had to take what I am calling a “mental health break” from my school, job, and site. It was just getting to a point where I couldn’t deal with anything that was thrown at me…even the little seemingly insignificant things. That’s when I decided to go up to a place called Vilankulo in central Inhambane province. I had heard it was quite a distance from my home and I didn’t care despite knowing that. I packed up and left the next day. Since it was a holiday I didn’t miss classes that Thursday but I did skip out on my classes on Friday, no worries though – it was an extended weekend for my colleuges as well as a vast majority of the students. Well Samantha and I got a lift aka we hitched it (which is so thrilling bc in the States I would NEVER do it but here it’s become a free way to get between points A and B) and got a ride in like 3 minutes flat with someone that was going past our stop. It was an air conditioned car and the man spoke English…it was great and it only took 6 hours to get up there. The way back took 14 hours on public bus…think Greyhound but at 35 mph for 600 km.
Well we got up there and so many people from the central region were there it was just really cool. It was good to catch up and hear about how their lives have been for the past 5 months at their new found homes. I spent three nights there and it was a well needed break from the monotony of my life here in Chibuts.
As a second stress reliever I decided to throw a party at my house. Just a reason to get together, a reason to have a reunion. I also wanted people to come and see my site. We had fun cooking and just hanging out together. I believe a dance party occurred as well. We may be in the bush but we still know how to have fun. Also, I think people got a new found respect for me and the distance of my home from my actual town and school. All in all it was a good time. Now we're looking forward to the next Gaza Gathering at my friend Paul's site about 3 hours from here. Good times!
While on the theme of breaks and vacations, I am excited to say that I will be home in the USA for about a month. I'll be coming in very early December and staying until about the same time in January. At that time my parents will be coming back with me on a great vacation touring South Africa, Tanzania, Zanzibar, and Mozambique. It’s going to be a lot of fun and I know my parents are really excited to not only see the great continent of Africa but to also see and experience the place I will have called home for the past year and a half. I’m optimistically looking toward the future and it’s looking pretty damn good.


Ate o proximo!
Jon