Sooooo during midservice I was thinking to myself how lucky I have been to not have any big security incidents or things stolen. Unfortunately these types of incidents are pretty common here in Moz. From petty thefts like cell phones and cash to break ins and physical assults. Even my roommate, Leah, had her phone stolen once when we were shopping in Nampula.
Well, you can probably guess where this post is going…I have been in Maputo and Nampula for the past week finishing up physical therapy for my back (an old injury from months ago). I was finally heading back to Monapo. I finished up my last session of PT and Marcelino, one of the PC office assistants, dropped me off at the bus stop for Monapo. The chapa I wanted to take was full so I hoped in another chapa to go wait outside of Nampula for another car. As i was leaving the bus stop someone said to me “yeah, go, try to get a ride, and when you get robbed, come back here.” I thought to myself, there is no way I’ll get robbed in a chapa.
The chapa I was in made multiple stops to pick up passengers along the way to the outskirts of Nampula. We were stopped to pick up people when someone reached into the window behind me and tore off my necklace. I yelled out “no!” And the people on the chapa turned to see what happened. I told them someone had torn off my necklace and tried to find which way he had gone but couldn’t find the guy so we kept driving. They ended up dropping me off at a gas station where I called Marcelino who came to pick me up.
I was always worried that my necklace would end up getting stolen and I was kind of expecting it. Whenever I am in the city , I always try to remember to tuck my necklace into my shirt so people don’t see it. I had done that before getting out of the Peace Corps car, but it probably fell out when I was crawling into the chapa. Eh pah.
I know things could be worse, especially compared to the volunteers in he south whose houses flooded and lost everything. This necklace was extremely special to me. My mom gave it to me the day before I left for Mozambique in September 2011. I know this probably sounds silly, but it always made me feel protected and my necklace feels so empty without it.
Peace corps was nice enough to offer to drive me back to Monapo but I’ll have still have to take many chapas in the future. I just hope that whoever stole my necklace uses the money to buy food or clothes for their kids and doesn’t waste it on alcohol and drugs. And things could always be worse, right?
I do have a lot to look forward to going back o Monapo. I am so ready to be there. Project ideas, pre school, REDES, pen pals…bring it!!!
Hope You are all enjoying Nemo! How I would love to be snowed in right now. With hot cocoa and marshmallows! It’s raining in Nampula right now so ill probably make some delicious tea when I get back to Monapo. Send me some pics of the storm!!!
And one more thing… Don’t worry about me. Please 
I am happy and healthy and still in love with Mozambique!! Bad karma only brings in the good karma. In fact, I should probs go do some yoga.
Much love!!!
