The Air Up There

For those movie buffs out there, you know that the title of this post is actually a Kevin Bacon movie. Kevin Bacon portrays a basketball coach who hears about this phenomenal player in Africa, so he goes to recruit this person. This phenomenal person ends up being the son of a tribal leader...but he really is phenomenal so Kevin Bacon lives with the tribe and learns about them. I won't spoil the ending so go watch it! Anyways...there is a point to the title of this blog. Today I got to play basketball with an Indonesian priest, a Mozambican teenager and my roommate with a bunch of Mozambican kids watching. It was like a movie. It was awesome. For those of you who know me, know that I love basketball. The only basketball court in the vila is at what I like to call my second home. It is the catholic compound where the priests and nuns live. It is actually pretty close to where our future house is, which is great! One of my goals in the next two years is to start a girl's basketball team. This morning Father Marcelo picked us up bright and early and took us to a machamba (farm/big field). He gave us a tour and we helped plant corn...the old fashion way...by hand. It was fun but hot! Father Marcelo has become a fast friend! We have lunch together and tomar cha (have coffee/tea). He loves to listen to Alan Jackson when he drives, so he is going to be my best friend. He loves country music! Have I mentioned that he is Indonesian?! Hahaha...he is a great guy.

Christmas is quickly approaching! A group of us are going to Angoche and to the beach to celebrate. It has been hard to get in the Christmas spirit. I miss my family and the....COLD! I also have a different perspective on things now since arriving in Africa. People have next to nothing here, live in reed huts with no energy or running water, have no clothes and the clothes they do have are torn and dirty, and have barely any food. It is sad but people are so nice here and seem to be content. I am learning a lot about myself and what I want out of life and how I want to live my life. I want you all to think about your lives and what you find important. Do you really need to complain about the things you complain about? I definitely took a lot for granted in the U.S. I hope I can help change some people's perspectives with my experiences and blog posts. I don't want to come off as sounding pompous or that "I know all" but I definitely want to shed light on what life is like in one of the poorest countries in the world. According to the United Nations, of the 187-ish countries, Mozambique is ranked 185th in human development (learn more here).

Anywho, I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Be safe and enjoy your time with your loved ones!