Day One

Day One

By the time we arrive at our destination, the Malawi Institute of Management (MIM), it is about 4:00.  We are all tired and smelly but need to exchange money, get supplies for the 5 people who have no luggage, and get phones/internet cards for our computers. This proves to be a futile trip because we are not able to exchange money and must wait until Monday when the banks are open.  We buy two bottles for each person and some malaria pills for the person who lost hers at the airport when the bag was opened in security. 

The city of Lilongwe was very interesting but we were all overwhelmed by the driving, the busy plaza (very much like a strip mall with a grocery store, furniture store, baby supply store, electronics, etc).  Whenever you visit a new place you always start in a big city.  Usually the one you flew in to.  I always forget that this is not going to be my favorite part of my visit.  Cities like Cairo, Madrid, and now Lilongwe are fine but I want to see the small towns and villages and mostly I want to get to know the people. 

I did get to know one person though.  Our local guide for the Teacher Training College, Livness.  She helped us get around and make our plans for dinner.  I went with her to the grocery store to get water for the group and was able to learn about her trip to the US.  She went to Texas where she studied literacy in elementary students.  I hope to get to know her as well as other Malawians more as the trip continues. 

We head back to MIM for a 7:00 dinner.  By this time we are all very hungry and exhausted but our drive to communicate home takes us to the lobby to try to pick up wi-fi.  It was a success for me and I was able to Face Time with Josh and the Kids while they ate lunch at Moe’s.  It was great to see their faces and to hear about Violet’s swim meet.  Then dinner of nsima, rice, chicken and green beans.  The food was fine but mostly I was ready to shower. 

We had a quick meeting to discuss how the group was getting along.  We all shared some of the joys and excitement of our trip thus far and gave suggestions to alleviate some of the issues that arose today.  In our discussion, it is clear that communication is an issue when dealing with a group of 14 people making plans and meeting needs.  It is decided that a leader will be chosen to represent the group and to help things run more smoothly.  My name is suggested as well as Niomi and the group nodd

ed in agreement.  We meet eyes and decide to be the co-leaders of the group.  I am very honored that the group thinks of me as a person that can make this trip run smoother and hope that I can live up to the job. 

I return to my room, cover everything in mosquito spray, and hop in the shower.  I am happy to have warm water and all my toiletries.  I am also glad I brought my own towel and pillow.  As I type this, I am sitting under the mosquito netting because I am starting to be feel bug bites.  I am nervous as I remember the cautions from the groups that have come here before.  I thought that if you took the malaria pills you were safe.  That is not the case and last year one person came home with Malaria even though she took all her pills correctly.  I am also intrigued because I hear chanting and dogs barking outside.  Tiredness takes over and I drift off to sleep (after putting on the white noise app on my phone).Day One

By the time we arrive at our destination, the Malawi Institute of Management (MIM), it is about 4:00.  We are all tired and smelly but need to exchange money, get supplies for the 5 people who have no luggage, and get phones/internet cards for our computers. This proves to be a futile trip because we are not able to exchange money and must wait until Monday when the banks are open.  We buy two bottles for each person and some malaria pills for the person who lost hers at the airport when the bag was opened in security. 

The city of Lilongwe was very interesting but we were all overwhelmed by the driving, the busy plaza (very much like a strip mall with a grocery store, furniture store, baby supply store, electronics, etc).  Whenever you visit a new place you always start in a big city.  Usually the one you flew in to.  I always forget that this is not going to be my favorite part of my visit.  Cities like Cairo, Madrid, and now Lilongwe and fine but I want to see the small towns and villages and mostly I want to get to know the people. 

I did get to know one person though.  Our local guide for the Teacher Training College, Livness.  She helped us get around and make our plans for dinner.  I went with her to the grocery store to get water for the group and was able to learn about her trip to the US.  She went to Texas where she studied literacy in elementary students.  I hope to get to know her as well as other Malawians more as the trip continues. 

We head back to MIM for a 7:00 dinner.  By this time we are all very hungry and exhausted but our drive to communicate home takes us to the lobby to try to pick up wi-fi.  It was a success for me and I was able to Face Time with Josh and the Kids while they ate lunch at Moe’s.  It was great to see their faces and to hear about Violet’s swim meet.  Then dinner of nsima, rice, chicken and green beans.  The food was fine but mostly I was ready to shower. 

We had a quick meeting to discuss how the group was getting along.  We all shared some of the joys and excitement of our trip thus far and gave suggestions to alleviate some of the issues that arose today.  In our discussion, it is clear that communication is an issues when dealing with a group of 14 people making plans and meeting needs.  IT is decided that a leader will be chosen to represent the group and to help things run more smoothly.  My name is suggested as well as Niomi and the group noded in agreement.  We meet eyes and decide to be the co-leaders of the group.  I am very honored that the group thinks of me as a person that can make this trip run smoother and hope that I can live up to the job. 

I return to my room, cover everything in mosquito spray, and hop in the shower.  I am happy to have warm water and all my toiletries.  I am also glad I brought my own towel and pillow.  As I type this, I am sitting under the mosquito netting because I am starting to be feel bug bites.  I am nervous as I remember the cautions from the groups that have come here before.  I thought that if you took the malaria pills you were safe.  That is not the case and last year one person came home with Malaria even though she took all her pills correctly.  I am also intrigued because I hear chanting and dogs barking outside.  Tiredness takes over and I drift off to sleep (after putting on the white noise app on my phone).