First day in Mozambique

I left the States on Wednesday morning and am now in Mozambique . . . only over 16 hours of flight time later. The flight wasn't nearly is bad as I expected (but British Airways was still much better). However, when I got onto my second flight (from Johannesburg to Maputo) they made me check my backpacking backpack at the last minute . . . which was extremely stressful as I had a lot of electronics in my bag (the most important thing being my external hard drive). Luckily, I had brought a couple of extra locks and was able to take a zip tie from the guy next to me (Mom & Dad - would love zip ties in my first care package). I made it through to Maputo without losing anything in my bag, but several members of our group had some of their stuff stolen after having to check second carry-ons at the last minute :(

We all made it to Maputo and to the hotel (where the food is amazing . . . and probably represents my last chance to eat chocolate for a little while). Today was fairly relaxed, we all got the necessary shots and tried to get ready to move in with our host families on Saturday. 

Anyways, we don't have very regular access to the internet while in training, so this blog-every-other-day-thing probably won't be happening. Which will hopefully make my blog posts a bit more interesting when they do appear :)

Traveling failures. And other life events.

I usually pride myself on being good at airports, packing, traveling, etc. I've flown enough from New Haven to Seattle that there is really no longer any excuse for not understanding the 3oz rule or failing to have your id out when going through security. Sadly, the process of getting on my flight from Seattle to Philadelphia left me looking like someone (in my imagination, this person is wearing a fanny pack) who hadn't stepped foot into an airport since 9/11. First off, my bags were overweight. Then I accidentally checked my laptop. I ended up entering the security line 15 minutes before my flight boarded, a situation that is not ideal for someone who is chronically 20 minutes early. Basically, by the time I made it through security I was frantic, concerned that my laptop had already been damaged, and just a tad bit disheveled. Of course, the two other Peace Corps trainees on my flight took note of my frenzied arrival and now probably think of me as the crazy bag lady.

However, since my arrival in Philadelphia, life has gone much better. Turns out, most everyone else overpacked as well and there are only a few who spent their summers studying Portuguese. I think I even managed to reorganize my bags so they might be around the theoretical 40 pound limit. Now I'm off to the airport in an hour . . . getting psyched for my 15 hour 20 minute flight (false).

I should have internet for my first couple days in Mozambique, but starting Saturday it looks like I'm moving off the grid. In the meantime, you should all write me letters <3

If you haven't already (who knew Bob Dylan sang about Mozambique?) you should listen to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYywEVzyVLI