indian26

So, I'm really sorry that I haven't updated my blog in forever. So, where do I start?

On April 18, 2008, I finished my Peace Corps Service in Mozambique. I extended 4 months to buy library books for the school with a grant we received. However, I did not receive the grant money until about 1 or 2 weeks before my last day with Peace Corps. But we were able to rush to the book stores and purchase the books. We received about $1000 and were able to buy 48 books for the school library.

I went to Maputo to do my final physical and dental exams and write my Peace Corps reports that are required for closure of service.  After I finished my contract with Peace Corps, I I hung out in Mozambique for two months. Well, I really didn't hang out the whole time. I did more work in the library, meaning making an inventory list of the books and training the librarian how to use the books.

I was hoping to find a job in Mozambique, but that didn't work out. So, I decided it was time to go back to the USA because I hadn't seen most of my family in 1 and 1/2 years. I wanted to travel for a month before arriving in the states. So, I went to Victoria Falls, Egypt, and Poland.

Victoria Falls were cool. I took  a microflight ride over the falls.

Egypt was awesome, the highlight of my trip. I spent 15 days in Egypt and I could have spent a few more months just traveling around or chilling out. I went to Cairo, Giza, Luxor, Aswan, Alexandria, Siwa Oasis, and one other oasis. The pyramids were cool, but not my favorite part of the trip. The problem is that I have too many favorite parts of the trip. I liked seeing the Mediterranean Sea, sleeping in the desert under the stars, exploring local markets, riding through the desert from one oasis to another, seeing all of the tombs, and eating local food. I ate so much falafas and swarmas and other local Egyptian food. Yummy!!!!!!

Then, I went to Poland for 8 days. My grandmother is Polish, so I have been raised eating pierogis, potato pancakes, cabbage and sausage rolls, and other yummy polish foods. Poland was cool too, very different than I expected it to be. I spent a few days in Warsaw and Krakow. I also visited Auschwitz for a day trip. I ate awesome pierogis everyday (meat filled, fruit filled, potato filled). I love pieriogis.

Well, now I am back in Michigan. I arrived in the middle of July and have been back for 3 weeks. It is weird to be back, but life is suppose to be weird. I joined the Peace Corps Response, which is a short term program for returned Peace Corps volunteers. I applied to teach English and math to students in Liberia for 9 months. If everything goes good (meaning medical tests, etc), I will be leaving at the end of September. I know that Liberia is completely different than Mozambique, but it will be a new learning experience. I want to return to Mozambique, but it is hard to live there without a job because of visa requirements and money. So, maybe I will return to Mozambique in the future. I love you Mozambique!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope to upload pictures today of Mozambique, Victoria Falls, Egypt, and Poland.