July 25th - "ONE MANGO FROM MALARIA..."

This weekend there was a festa in Chada Lem, but I stayed behind with the hopes of getting to know my family.  I tried to go and "monda" or work in the fields and was pretty much told to just sit and watch.  This was really frustrating because I hate when people assume I can't do something.  I pretty much pride myself on being able to take care of myself and on being independent and I feel like that rug has been ripped from under my feet.  So a weekend later, I am now sporting a killer burn on the bottom of my shins (it's awesome) and I've read through two books.  I feel more disconnected from the family than I did on Friday.  I'm an awkward person.  I know this.  I go from being super social to introverted in .2 seconds depending on the situation.  This weekend was so hard because instead of getting to know the family I ended up sitting and reading and feeling absolutely useless.  I guess I'll have to check my insecurities at the door along with my English.  We have the Cabo Verde news each night, but my Portuguese isn't at that level just yet.  Luckily the telenovellas luckily don't require  a knowedge of the language. 

On a positive note, I did get to see piglets being born. 

The other night the lights went out so we went outside.  I had my wind up flashlight.  Huge hit. Being outside with the lights out was amazing.  I have never seen so many stars in the sky.  I'm talking about butterflies in the stomach inducing breathtaking beauty.  It's incredible.  It's funny because not all that long ago I was on the fire-escape at the apt looking at all ten stars you can see from NYC thinking about how much I'd miss snow and the bright pink sky when it snows.  This view takes the cake.  I still love snow, and can't wait to one day play in it again, but my oh my.  It was also nice because I finally started to just speak in my limited and broken Portuguese.  Tonight was a good night.