Missing my Mozambique Partner!

I haven't had the opportunity to update my blog since Bazaruto, but a lot has happened in the last two weeks. Once I got back from Bazaruto, I officially moved into "the CDC TDY house" with three other ladies--Jackie, Kathleen (CDC Atlanta), and Amy (here permanently). The house is ridiculously huge and also has mold. I will hold my comments on this house until I get back home. The one really good thing is that I have great roommates to hang out with.
I also completed one part of my assignment here. I had my presentation for the technical staff here on the various clearance processes required by CDC Atlanta for any on going research here in Mozambique. It wasn't the most exciting talk ever (nothing can beat the DDMAC talk that is part of the NDA course at FDA!!!), but I do think it was helpful for the staff here. I have had some issues with starting SharePoint for the office (a document sharing microsoft office program). I am feel bad about this, but alot of the issues were beyond my control. And I do have to say, no where on my CV did it say I had IT experience!
Last weekend, we had some fun going out in Maputo. One night involved dancing until 4 am. Needless to say, the next day we were all pretty much toast. Kathleen, Jackie, I went shopping the next day (Saturday), but I think I was in bed that night befroe 8 pm. I think I finished up my shopping, except for what I plan to buy in Cape Town. Packing situation has started to give me nightmares. Sunday, Jackie, Kathleen, and I ventured off the Macaneta..a beach town about an hour north. We had to take an old steam boat across the river to get there. Our guide (Freeo) was interesting and definitely had some opinions on how the US gov't could better help the Mozambican people.
I think my mefloquine induced dreams having finally subsided, but still having a lot of numbness and tingling in my hands. This actually seems to be getting worse.
I have been enjoying some great dinners with fun conversations with my roommates. One of the more memorable would have to be Escopia (sp???), where I ate a "chunk of meat" on a stone. And yes, that was the name of the dish.
I also finally got to go out to the villages for a site visit. I will save this for the talk that I know I will have to do for my divisions when I get home.
Yesterday, was a bit of disaster. Jackie and I had planned to fly to Tofo, but to make a long story short, I am in Tofo all by myself. I am trying to make the best of it, but I am definitely missing my MLP! (Mozambique Life Partner, as Jackie and I have started to call each other--Please note that this is a joke and I do not plan to have any other life partners in the future). I got up and dove this morning. Diving in Tofo is definitely an experience and like no where else I have been. The weather is crappy today, which didn't help. Let's just say, you know it is a different experience when you have to help push the boat into the water. We were also out in a bit of a storm, which made the ride back to shore a bit torturous. I have burns on my hand from trying to hold onto to the ropes on the pontoon boat (sp???). I didn't have the desire to go out for the second dive or do the ocean safari (snorkeling to try to see whale sharks). Another day, yes. Today, not a good day to be on the water. Visibility in the water is low and the waves were a bit too rough. Best part was seeing a humpack whale come fully out of the water about three times on our way to our dive site. Finally, I have seen a humpback! Too bad, I will have to come back to Tofo some day to see the whale sharks (it is what Tofo is known for all over the world). Oh well, gotta run. The girl here is trying to close the internet cafe for siesta time.