Le Weekend: 12 June 2011

Hello from Mozambique Everyone!

The electricity has been down , now back up. But when it is down there is no internet. That explains some of the times that emails are not prompt.

It is a beautiful weekend here...blue skies, good wind, perfect temperatures. Mozambique is fabulous June and July!

I was at the Grand Hotel all day yesterday for a health fair in the grand lobby. This was built by the Portuguese to be the grandest hotel in all of Africa, and it was, briefly.  Now 3000 people live in it. There is no water or electricity or garbage collection. There are trees growing out of the roof, and families live in the rooms and hallways and old coolers etc.  It is a cement skeleton with everything taken out that could be.  You can google it...it is absolutely fascinating.  Grand Hotel Beira, Mozambique. The views from the balconies are spectacular!!  Check it out.  It is one of the most interesting phenomenas I have ever seen in my life.

The fair was nice. Irma Augusta, the ever active nun for Family Health at the med school organized it.
I went with my stethoscope and had about 100 kids listen to their heart and a pep talk about healthy heart practices. They loved using the stethoscope. There was drumming and dancing. I don't think Sister Augusta is too keen on the dancing, as it is all pelvic and suggestive!! But very fun!

Hope you are having a wonderful June and that the peonies are glamorously strutting their stuff in Maine just now. 
Love, Emily