An Outside Perspective

Mid-vacation Elisabeth said "Alix, you should make a guest entry in my blog. It would give an outside perspective on my life in Africa." At the time this task did not seem to be too difficult. Sure, there are plenty of things to write about and angles to take, but to really sum up the blip in time that was my holiday is near impossible. So, in an effort to pass on a little of my experience here is a taste of what I learned, what I saw, what I did, and what I thought:

• learning to hitchhike, as a standard mode of transport
• I now have an understanding of Malawian transport, in all its glory. Mini buses, AXA buses, hitches... I missed bicycle taxi's, but I think I got a decent education
• learning to be patient with Malawian transport- eventually the mini bus will go, you just have to wait and standing on sack of maize for 6 hours from Elisabeth's site to Khande Beach really isn't that bad. Oh, and if the sheep under your seat on the mini bus kicks, just lift your legs.
• Walking across "the scary bridge" in the Lilongwe market is the best way to go clothes shopping
• There is nothing like a fresh mango or pineapple, even if it is sold to you at an azungu price
• The children are well loved and taken care of
• The sense of community in the villages is remarkable, there are very few homeless people and it seemed as though everyone takes care of everyone.
• I have never heard the phrase "you are most welcome" and "feel free" more, but they were always said with complete sincerity. Still, I always wanted to ask "feel free to do what?"
• When white people multiply in a remote village you are bound to get looks.
• I still have not figured out a use for all of the chitenjes (the colorful cloth the women wear) I bought
• Amayi (mothers) hands are stronger and tougher then an ove-glove, no joke. And their backs and heads and well... they are just strong women
• there are so many people that are willing to work hard, but the bureaucracy and dependence on others prevents a lot from getting done
• only in Malawi will you wake up with a monkey on your porch, brought to you by the neighbors
• Azungu traps (giant ditches on the side of the roads) are dangerous.
• adding too much water-guard to water will make you sicker than just drinking water out of the borehole- I learned that one the hard way.
• I am not sure how Elisabeth handles the little things all the time, like: sexism, dependency issues, her brothers, preventable accidents, lack of funding for the important things (water, electricity for the school), bugs, transportation, living somewhere for over a year and still there are people that beg her for things. Really, she lives there too! She doesn't have running water or electricity either, and I am pretty sure asking for a msweetie or pencil will not help you out in the long run.
• cold cokes and fantas can and will revive you even in the muggiest of weather
• Elisa is one tough cookie
• Malawians often use "L" and "R" interchangeably, making some funny words, like the volunteer Russell who is called Lusser, or in the case of the Neil Diamond classic "Sweet Calorine"
• yes, I have heard a band of Rastas sing "Sweet Calorine" at an Italian restaurant followed by the Beatles "Ret it Be"
• The lodge in Zambia had a pet squirrel, but I think I am the only in the family that thought that it was a good idea
• Sometimes when Elisabeth laughs really hard she sounds a little like a hippo....
• I was a little worried about such a long family vacation because we haven't spent that amount of time together in consecutive days in, well, ever.... but, everything turned out grand. No, really it was fantastic. I don't know why, but I will venture to guess it has something to do with months of mental preparation Elisabeth put us through
• I don't like nsima, I don't care how good the relish is, the nsima is yucky.
• That isn't fair- it doesn't really have a taste but you smack it around in your mouth and it does nothing but gum up and never go down.
• I could never finish a plate a of food, no matter how hungry I was. I am pretty sure 5 cups of cooked rice is more than one serving, but my inability to finish will prevent me from being a true Malawian.
• purchasing food at a restaurant (note: the term "restaurant" is used VERY loosely, really it is someplace that *may* serve food at some time) is often a timely ordeal. Don't wait until you are really hungry in case they take an hour or three. And have a back up in case they don't have what you want or don't feel like cooking it
• cooking over hot coals is rewarding
• you can bake over the coals, I managed a chocolate cake, but other talented volunteers created cinnamon rolls, mango crisp, and banana bread

So, there it is- a general overview of some of that I learned. If I think of other really important things I will add on, but for now this is it. There is no way to put into words all that I will take away from this adventure, but there is no doubt that it will stay with me forever. I want to thank all of the volunteers I met, you are awesome. Keep being rockstars. Elisabeth, you are the greatest "man-woman" sister in the world and I am super proud of all you are doing. I know you question the impact you are making, but you are showing villages that with hard work and follow through things can get done.

Keep an eye out for an outside perspective Abambo (daddy) version, coming soon...

Alix

(Alice, little Elisa)