10.14.13 Day 24: I am happy to report that today was actually interesting, to say the least! Today was a religious holiday and so SAMSS was closed for the day. I was able to sleep in (until 6:45am!) and lazily awake to the smell of eggs being prepared and the sound of a warm bath being drawn. Focusing on the positives in life amplifies the good and muffles the bad. I choose to zoom-in on the wonderful way in which I wake up, almost every morning, here in Mulanje. Yes I have many challenges that test me daily, and there are many aspects about life here that are not appealing, but eggs and a warm bath helps a man forget his troubles. And this is why we pay Bertha the big bucks. After my glorious entrance into consciousness today, I headed down to Charles’ shop for the morning briefing and planning of our program. As Charles is a very busy man, we do a great job of communicating our affairs of the week ahead, as best we know them, and give each other the space and room necessary to meet both of our needs. We usually confirm our plans daily, but there is a constant open line of communication to avoid any surprises that might otherwise crop up. Other Malawians neglect this courtesy often, which is becoming burdensome on my productivity and solidarity, and must (and will) change. So after chatting a bit about everything, we championed the issue of how best to pay for internet service, which required the purchasing of some airtime and then converting it into a bundle, which is a flat-rated fee for one month of service. This is a far more practical approach to take rather than using regular airtime which would cost a fortune every month. So we settled that score and I proceeded to the bank and met with Geoffrey, who was helpful and expedient as always, allowing me to use the “Azungu Lane” (one transaction or less). Following my business at the bank, I headed home for lunch with Bertha. Grilled cheese with tomatoes and I warned her, only 3 sandwiches, not 4. She can try to get me fat, but 4 is just glutinous. She laughed and prepared a delicious meal for me. We sat around and she taught me some more Chichewa, “ndikupita kuka sambire ku hapuwani” which means “I am going swimming at hapuwani.” I learned my phrase of the day and proudly practiced it with anyone who would care to listen while on my way to exercise. As I began swimming, the skies seemed to disagree with my decision making and began spitting gargantuan-sized raindrops all over Mulanje. Since the mountain is so close to our residence, or better put, since I live so close to the mountain, the weather is often very strange and unpredictable, changing within minutes as the summit decides. So my trip to swim was cut short and became a chance to do some light reading and lounging under cover. I have become familiar with the wait staff, which increases my comfort-ability here incrementally. Most people will chat with you about anything, so long as you smile and put forth a good nature. I have little trouble with either, so I have found it quite easy to assimilate to the culture here. So I spent the better part of my afternoon working on some school things, planning a bit, reading some, and generally admiring the relief from the heat which the rains tend to bring. I have a feeling once the rainy season commences, I will be quite chilly at times. It does not seem like chilly is in the vocabulary of Malawians, but there have been days when I have considered wearing a long sleeve shirt, at least for a moment or two. Then I am quickly slapped back into reality by the dramatically roasting rays of stifling sunshine. (Alliteration is in my lesson plans for the week, so excuse the subconscious additions in the blogging). I retired just before dinner and enjoyed some chili (the last of it) before knocking off and heading to bed. “Knocking off” is a term that I have learned from the Malawians and I love it! It must be a UK thing, regardless it is used to describe the idea of being finished with ones work for the day and literally knocking off. I can’t help but amuse myself. So I suppose Ill be knocking off then. Cheers.
Posted on: Tue, 15 Oct 2013 18:16:24 +0000
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