So we are officially Peace Corps Volunteers now! Parabens a nos! (Congratulations to us!) Mozambique doesn't have an ambassador right now, so the Charge d'Affaires, the acting head of the US mission in Mozambique, performed our swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday, December 8th at his luxurious residence in Maputo overlooking the Indian Ocean. For any of you unfamiliar with this type of event, just think back to President Obama's swearing-in, but on a bit of a smaller scale. All members of the US government must take a very similar oath to protect the US Constitution.
We almost didn't make it to the ceremony; our chapa (Mozambican minibus) overheated three times in transit and our driver got lost (we had to resort to asking random people on the street where the ambassador lived). That's why we always schedule extra time when we take local transport. We all had to wear something involving capulanas (local cloth). The men decided to have matching ties made (which unfortunately did not iron well, i.e. Janet burned a hole in Luc's tie!), and most women had dresses or skirts tailored. Janet was a little intimidated to wear the full three-piece outfit she had made (it was a little too different), so she just wore the skirt with a white blouse. :) It was a very hot day, we were wearing lots of fancy clothes, and there was a beautiful pool there, but unfortunately swimming wasn't on the agenda!
All of our Portuguese teachers and technical trainers, Peace Corps staff, as well as many dignitaries and guests, including one of Luc's friends from Peace Corps Honduras who now works at the Embassy, came to watch us swear-in. Luc was chosen to give a speech in Portuguese, which he did beautifully. Then the ambassador and the Peace Corps Director said some words. We then all raised our right hands and recited the oath. All of the Mozambican press was there, consisting of 2 TV stations, 2 newspapers and the radio. Luc did interviews with them and made it on the evening news and into the paper!
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