COS Conference & a little thing we call Beer Olympics

COS Conference Apr 28-30

So last time I wrote, I was down in Maputo and in limbo for a few days waiting for my COS conference to start. Well, the 27th (Apr) rolled around and after a weekend of tying up some loose strings here and there, I rolled up to Hotel Cardoso to check in for MOZ18's COS conference! COS stands for Close of Service and as I mentioned before, this is a conference that takes place 3 months before your actual departure. It's purpose is to provide us, volunteers, with detailed information regarding  the medical and administrative requirements that we have to complete before actual COS. 

So, how was it?! "How are you feeling?" everyone keeps asking me. Well, let's start with COS conference first. COS conference was bittersweet. It was incredible to be reunited with my group one last time, but sadly... I had to despedir (say goodbye to) the majority of my them! It was WEIRD! When we close out our service in Maputo at the end of July, we will be going down in four separate groups so I won't see half of the group which breaks my heart, but alas! I hope to maybe be reunited with MOZ18 stateside in the coming future. This is not goodbye, pahh! 

Anyway, being in Maputo is always a treat- nice hotels, hot showers, good food, and great company.... what more could a PCV ask for?! Let's talk about location first and foremost- we stayed at... wait for it....at HOTEL CARDOSO! That might not mean much to people back home, but Cardoso is a FANCY hotel with incredible views, insane buffets, and you guessed it! THE BEST SHOWER (PRESSURE) OF ALLLLLL TIIIIIMEEEE! Again, hot showers/showers with good pressure might not be a big deal to you all comfortably nesting in the 1st world right now, but to lonely Peace Corps Volunteers that never seem to get clean enough- it's our holy grail. While indulging in the hot, steamy bliss of the Cardoso shower I thought about this funny facebook status I saw about a year ago. I think it was Adrienne Long, a MOZ 16er, that put it best and it was something along the lines of- 'When I leave Mozambique, I hope I never lose the fabulous feeling that comes with taking a hot shower'

I thought this was so spot on that I've remembered it and think about this all the time. I too, hope that I never forget the gratitude I feel when I take a hot shower. May seem small to you readers... but if there's one thing that I take away from my service is being grateful for seemingly small and ordinary things- hot showers, 24 hour pharmacies, reliable public transportation, basic infrastructure, ... this list could go on for quite a while, but I will stop here. 

Reunited with some MOZ 18ers!!

So, back to Cardoso! I stayed in an ocean view room and got to witness beautiful sunsets over the indian ocean (something I will definitely miss) night after night. On Sunday, the day of our arrival, the gang got together and went to Nucleo- a cool spot we frequent that is known for it's live music (on Sundays) and eclectic crowd. While strolling out and about on the town, I just remember thinking about how much I loved being in Maputo. I think I like Maputo so much because it feels closest to home- a big city with incredible diversity and an international vibe that is hard to find elsewhere in Mozambique (in my opinion).

The View from my room

MOZ 18 @ Nucleo (blackberry quality photo)

Peassearin and fun social times aside, the conference was interesting and provided us with much needed information- for example, how to collect stool samples for our COS physical clearance, ahahah. 

Before leaving Moz, the medical team needs to examine you and make sure they flush all the parasites out of our systems soooo, we have some interesting stool sample acquisition stories to look forward to, HA! (by the way, if this grosses you out... I don't know if we can be friends upon my return to the US! ahahahahah! kidding.... sorta. no for real!)

Other sessions in the conference were about the administrative task we need to complete such as writing an official description of service, turning in final reports and siting in on exit and language proficiency interviews with Staff. Other sessions were about career/future plans post-Peace Corps. We had some guest speakers come in and talk to us about Resume drafting and Cover Letter writing. For one session, we had a panel of RPCVs (Returned Peace Corps Volunteers) that shared their experiences with us- their service, returning home, and career & life advice. Probably one of the best sessions. 

RPCV Panel

Another session I really enjoyed was one in which we talked about 'What we were looking forward to, What we wouldn't miss, and What we were scared/nervous about.' This session was great for two reasons:

 1)because although we have all had very unique experiences here in Moz, it was clear that we were all sharing the same anxieties about returning home (facing student loans, being unemployed, readjusting back to the states because we're really weird now, aha, having the same general fucking question 'how was africa?' asked to you a million times) & ...

2)well, the 'looking forward to' poster was just hilarious; Amongst the things listed: family/friends, burritos, chipotle, sex, hot showers. Ahaha. You know I added in tequila and mexican food on that! 

<3

xiiiiii! Shit' just got real!

Meat variety at Cardoso's Lunch Buffet

The first of multiple lunch plates, haha

MOZ 18, hoyyyyeeeee!!

On the last day of the conference, our program director invited us over to her house where we said some tearful goodbyes, shared one last meal as a group, and shared a delicious chocolate cake congratulating us on our service (pictured below):

Later that evening, we went to Dhow Cafe- a charming little cottage-like spot that sits on the coast, has a great vibe, and serves some tasty cocktails. 

Dhow Cafe

the view

Sunset drinks has become a tradition at MOZ 18 conferences and this was the perfect place.

Cardoso pool area

Sick views of the Maputo skyline

Inhambane & Tofo Beach

On the 31st, the time came to say some goodbyes and check out of Cardoso. However, instead of flying back to site right away, I extended my flight for a few days to ficar (stay) in the south and attend one last southern hoorah. Other motives included getting to spend a little more time with my favorite southerners and getting to go to Inhambane, terra de boa gente (the land of good people), one last time.

What was the occasion, you might ask? PC MOZ has a yearly tradition called Beer Olympics. In the past, all three regions of the country (North, Central and South) would reunite for an epic weekend of camaraderie and well, you guessed it- drinking competitions. Pretty silly thing to explain, but it's a lot of fun and a great way to to see of bunch of your fellow PCVs. This year however, political tensions/violence has restricted certain stretches of the main highway and we haven't been able to travel as freely as before and thus it blocked our inter-regional competition. This year,  BO took place in the North (northern provinces competing against each other) and South (Education sector VS Health).

headed to Tofo beach from Inhambane city with the crew

tofo beach, we meet again :)

Beer Olympics opening ceremony

MOZ 18 ladies, represent!

Going head to head with Steven before he demolished us all in Survivor flip cup 

los 3 amigoss <3

favvvvs, duh.

Health & Ed Group picture

Health!

MOZ 18!

After a great weekend in one of the most gorgeous provinces in Mozambique, I headed back home.

...It's taken me a while to get this (blog) post up ... and well- I think I might have to leave it here and dedicate another post to my last couple weeks at site (9 wks on Sunday!). There are a lot of feelings and thoughts floating around in my head at this time and I think I need more time to really process the fact that in a few short weeks- I will be leaving this gorgeous country. My service has not  always been easy... in fact, work was a major struggle throughout my entire service .... but when it's all said & done.... Mozambique is an incredible place. The people are extremely welcoming and hospitable. The landscapes are breath taking and well.... this has been such a formative part of my life and (*throat closes & eyes water*) I KNOW that this experience will forever inform how I live my life and the decisions I make. 

Mozambique will forever be a part of me and well... let's just leave it at this for now. I actually have to go out into the world and face people ... (*wipes away the tears*)...

 ate a proxima, amigos. Until next time...