Local Time: 8:00 pm
June 28, 2009
Day Eight
Tonight we celebrated Dr. Liz and Todd's birthdays. We had a fabulous meal provided by Annie's Lodge that consisted of boiled potatoes, rice, green beans, and curry chicken. We also had cake that tasted a lot like coffee. Most of us enjoyed the sweet, but not me. We gave both of them cards that were signed by everyone, but Todd had signed his own card "Happy 22nd, Todd. Love, Todd." So much for surprising him. We did, however, manage to surprise Dr. Liz with silk flowers (looked like funeral flowers to me) and a nice card.
Now Beth and I are waiting for the Fifa World Cup to start! GO USA! Someone let me know who wins, because I know I won't make it through it all. It's past my bed time. I feel so old going to bed at 8:00 pm. But everyone that knows me, knows I need 10 hours of sleep. =) Love you guys!
PS. Trace or anyone from swimteam, tell all the kids I miss them and good luck at their meets, I love hearing the updates on how we did! I've been thinking about you guys on Tuesdays and Saturdays!
Yay! Mom and Dad called today!
Local Time: 1:30 pm / 8:00 pm
June 29, 2009
Day Nine
Today is Dr. Liz's 60th Birthday, so as soon as we got on the bus this morning we sang very loud, and not very in tune. Not that I would know anything about that. =) After we were loaded we took three suitcases full of bookbags to the Mwanje Primary school for the Standard Seven students. They were sent by us from the National Social Studies Committe in or around Blacksburg, I'm not real sure. The kids and staff sang and danced around for us. I took over 100 pictures of the village on the way there and then of everyone at the school.
Charles took us from Mwanje to Malemia round ten. The Standard One students had already had English and Math, so Getrude was teaching Chichwea when I finally got into the classroom. As the lesson continued, even though the students were staring at me and not listening to Getrude, I saw a little girl crying. She was not causing any commotion, she was not shaking, she was not making a single sound. I only saw tears streaming from her eyes. I stopped Getrude and asked what was wrong, the little girl told her someone stole her cup for the porridge. She was so worried she wouldn't get to eat anything, and who knows when the next time she would eat. Not to worry, the cup was found, but I seriously got tears in my eyes when I saw how sad she was. Soon after I was settled in, it was time for the students to get the porridge.
The students sprinted out the doorway, pushing and shoving with their kupus (cups) in hand across the dirt "playground", more like a field in my opinion. About the size of the dirt at the grandstand in the park. They formed two neat lines in front of to village ladies pouring the porridge. After the children scattered about the field and had their porridge with their dirty little fingers. Then Getrude called them back into the classroom.
It took so long for the 88 present children to finally decide to come into class, since the teachers only call for them, and do not force them into the room. She told the students we were going to be learning Expressive Arts next. I was so excited because I had no idea what this was. It took the better part of 15 minutes for them to get their partners and bukus (books) handed out. They do not keep the text books at home because they "forget" and do not bring them back to class. This lengthy proccess really stressed me out because they just kept getting louder and louder in the tiny concrete classroom that echos.
Finally when they calmed down we talked about household items and school items. The household items were a water cooling pot, a cooking pot, brooms, plates, cups and spoons. The school items were blackboard, chair, and books. The lesson told only lasted about 5 minutes and was taught in Chichwea. The children all stood up, returned the books and said "Goodbye Madame" and went home for the day.
The Radford Students met with the eight teachers to discuss painting the walls and they us try the porridge, but added extra sugar for us. It had a very bland taste without the added sweets, and has a consistancy of runny grits. It's made from maize flour, (which it's supposed to be peanut flour for the extra protein, but isn't due to lack of money) sugar, milk and water, served boiling hot. It was time for us to walk to the MIE school and journal/have class. But we had to make a "quick" stop before so some of us could have dressed made at a local (teacher) tailor. This took what felt like forever. And by the time we were finally leaving there were twenty children from all around, and all ages. They asked "what's your name" and when you answered, they would giggle and run away.
One of the boys, Jarrod, that follows us from Malemia to MIE, (who isn't supposed to) told all the other kids not to talk to me in English and it hurt my feelings. Later on the walk he told me to give him a weapon and I explained that we were no longer friends and to leave me alone, just as he had told the others. I started to get irritated again today when my group was not thinking realistically, but then listened to some music and felt much better.
When Charles picked us up again, he took us into town where I stopped at the teacher store to pick up some things on the list Getrude gave me. I bought pens, poster paper, glue, tape, sicssors, markers, and a rule all for $15.00. She is going to be so happy when I deliever it tomorrow! When we finally got back to the lodge this afternoon, 5 of us went to the local tailor to have skirts and tablecloths made. When we came back for dinner around 6, there was another power outage. It gets old for sure because the internet doesn't work for several hours after it comes back on.
HIGHLIGHT OF MY WEEK: (And it's only Monday) I SAW A MONKEYYYYYYYYYYYYY! So close to our room!!! I'm going to catch it this week and start to raise it so that it behaves when I bring her home!
Local Time: 9:30 am/1:30 pm
June 30, 2009
Day Ten
The bus was late today because of a fuel shortage in Malawi. The staff at the schools get very angry when we're late. They think that Americans should never be late, which is fascinating to me because they have no concept of time here whatsoever. I gave Getrude her school supplies that I had purchased yesterday and she was crying. I feel very happy about spending my money that way.
When it was time for my lesson this morning, we organized all of the children in a circle around the room. I held up the index cards with the captial and lowercase of each letter that I made last night. The kids only could recognize letters A-G. I was very disappointed. Even though they can sing the alphabet song, they can not put the letters in the correct order, not from recognization or from memorization.
After my twenty minute or so lesson, we started the math. She showed a counter made from sticks and string and did three math problems on the board. 3 + 1, 2 + 1, and 2 + 2. Of the seventy seven kids present about ten recieved check marks on their paper. The next lesson was Chichewa. They were learning about the vowels, A E I O U, all which sound different than ours. Ana was baby, atate was father, and agogo was grandparents.
Today was the first day at school that I experiencedd bad behavior. They did not listen to Getrude and were kicking, hitting, with and without their bags, and also pinching. They were very rowdy and so loud. That concrete room echos so bad it's unexplainable.
When it was time to go, three of the smaller, younger children stayed to sweep the room, which looked like a tornado zone, with very small handheld brooms. The other children yelled "Goodbye Madame" and ran home. I was thankful to see them leave today. Since the Standard One students go home much earlier than the others, I stayed in the office with Getrude and Esther. They offered me hot tea and seemed a little offended when I could not accept due to the containimated water. After my explaination they seemed at ease. There was no porridge today, therefore there was a low attendace rate across all of the standards.
On the walk over to MIE we stopped to buy oranges for 5 K each. When we get to MIE we always buy cold drinks first thing to go with our packed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. They are only 50 K each, wonderful, because at Annie's Lodge they are 180 K each. They serve coke, fanta orange, pineapple, passion fruit and sprite in bottles. But if you keep the bottles they hunt you down and make you pay a deposit fee of 40 - 80 K depending on where you are.
Today after Tech's long discussion on corruption in Africa, none of which I listened to because my Ipod was just too loud =) Charles picked us up. He took us to "the wall" where the vendors set up, and we picked up David and David, the two boys who are going to help us paint on the walls at Malemia. Next we went to the hardware store to purchase supplies. Tonight we are having a family style dinner with rice, boiled potatoes (my favorite thing here), green beans, and some sort of chicken.
I saw a kid eating a shard of glass today and it scared me so much. I also got very upset today when my group wouldn't listen to me that it would be much more efficent and a better quailty if we painted the blackboards with a roller brush instead of six tiny paint brushes. We bought 6. Ugh. I'll let you know how it turns out! Love you!
Local Time: 9:30 am/ 4:10 pm
July 1, 2009
Day Eleven
Today David and Chichimwa came with us to school to help paint the walls. After we picked them up at the wall, and got settled into class Getrude asked me to teach a lesson. I was almost completely unprepared except for the nine pieces of colored construction paper in my bag. The children and I went over the different colors, but they had a very hard time recognizing the blue sheet. Then it was a break time for the Standard One students.
David and Chichimwa started painting letters of the catorgies that Getrude had picked out. They were Mathematics, English, Chichwa and Expressive Arts. I was jealous because I thought that since it was my teacher, I would be able to paint. But after the letters were done, I was allowed to paint the shapes we had talked about in different colors. =)
Today was a porridge day so there was a high attendence rate across the board. We had 89 students in Standard One, and we even got a new student from the police station, whatever that means. The ladies that were supposed to make the porridge today were very late so it wasn't ready until almost 1. The Standard One students had to stay late, but they didn't get any extra work done, thats for sure.
Ann thinks that whenever there is down time, anywhere, no matter what the setting, she should sing. So she gathered all of the students on their breaks and started singing in Chichwa. Todd and a couple of the other students from Tech walked over from the government school, so they could pick up Beth for an interview she had set up. After we had our lunch in the teacher's office, Todd and I worked on Standards Two, Three and Four walls. We painted a mouth, a clock, more shapes, and a dog. It took longer than we expected but turned out very nice.
The weather is ridiculous here, I've never seen so many thunderheads in my life combined and it never storm. Or even rain, for that matter. It was so cold today, I wore pants under my skirt, of course, I looked silly, but I didn't care because I was still cold. The internet still doesn't work here, so by the time you finally read this it will be old news. Sorry about that.
Local Time 10:00 am/ 6:40 pm
July 2, 2009
Day Twelve
We picked up David and Chichemwa again this morning to take them to school. We went straight to our classrooms this morning. When I arrived, Getrude had just finished her math lesson. I read a Mercer Mayer book for their English lesson. Then I reviewed the colors with them from yesterday. But before we could move on we sang "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" about 100 times. I asked them to write the word red in their books. Out of the 50 children in class today, I gave out about 40 check marks. I was so pleased, but so baffled that when they were asked to write their ABCs the other day there were so many unrecognizable shapes. Some kids write it three or four times to get as many check marks as possible.
Thursday is a market day, and there was no food at school, therefore super low attendence. After our English lesson, Getrude did Chichewa. Today's words were fisi, fulu, and fulufute which mean hiena, tortise, and black ants. Since it is so cold outside, the children do not want a break to go out and play so they got to leave at 10:45.
We left Malemia early to meet the others at MIE so we could walk through the "bush" or we call it the sticks, to go to a speical church. There was a children's choir set to preform for us their best songs. The study aboard students have been going there for years, and give a very generous offering each time, about 18,000 K. Last year, they bought choir robes and showed them off today. The ages ranged from around 6 to about 40. Mostly kids though. The smallest, prettiest girl was just adorable, I kept saying "I want her." After they were done singing, the man in charge told us she was an orphan. Maybe I will pull a Madonna and bring her back with my monkey. On the way back through the bush, walking down the dirt path, Jess got ran over by a bike. No one was 100 % sure what the biker said, but we all know it was very ugly. He was so pissed!
Ann, Pat, Beth, Todd and I went to the internet cafe when Charles picked us up, but the internet is so freaking slow everywhere. They say it's because it's cloudy and they can't get a good satillite signal, but we are all soooo put off by it that we have almost given up. DeAnna's church sent money for her to do something good here, and she decided to buy 300 blankets and make ponchos for the little ones at Malemia because they are so cold. So tonight, all 18 of us have been enlisted to help cut fleece.
Local Time: 9:30 am
July 3, 2009
Day Thirteen
Ohmygosh. As soon as I got to school today Getrude told me she had a meeting and left. For about twenty minutes the children were well behaved, cooporating, and listening. We reviewed our colors, and read another book. Then it went completely down hill. They started writing in their notebooks the word blue, but as soon as they were finished, they started to line up to be graded. Total chaos.The attendence was 98 today because of the porridge being offered. I freaked out and stood in the only chair in the classroom and started yelling "Quiet!" Tenience, the Standard Two teacher came over to help me. But only for a minute.
My kids got quiet while she was there, but then as soon as she left, they were running around, kicking, and screaming agian. There were so many older kids gathered around my door watching me scream. I slammed the door, that doesn't quite fit the frame, shut. I calmly put on my bookbag, opened the door, and walked outside.Ughhh. What do you know, they all followed me like little ducks. Every single one of them.
I decided to give them another chance, and tried to organize a game of "Duck, Duck, Goose." That didn't go so well either. David, one of the painters told them all to sit in a circle, so they were sitting in the dirt, I felt so bad for making them. But since the game didn't work out, I just did a serious of hand motions and they would copy. Then we did claps, and numbers. However, they are first graders so that didn't keep their attention very long.
Needless to say, I was in tears. I asked one of the teachers for the time, and it was only Ten. I still had an hour of teaching 98 non-English speaking, hungry first graders. Finally, the Standard Two kids came outside and I thought that would help distract my kids too. Nope. The Standard Two kids were way too cool to play with Standard One. Thank God the porridge was ready early today.
They lined up for porridge and went home early. It took me a while to calm down after being so worked up, but I started painting blackboards so that really helped. Carolyn helped by just talking and keeping my mind off it. It was very nice. We (the 5 Radford students) painted all 8 standards. It only took us three hours, Dr. Ann said that it would take her an hour and a half for each one. Thankfully it didn't. Beth brought tiny little latex gloves for us to wear while we painted with oil base paint, but I love them so much I wore them all afternoon, even while I wrote this entry. I've never had ones so small that fit my hands.
This afternoon I got off at "the wall" where the vendors are and walked to Tasty Bites for dinner. We had Kentucky Chick, which was their special. It was no KFC but it was pretty good for Africa. When we got back to Annie's Lodge the internet was working, and I thought my day was turning around... no such luck. I signed on with my one-time use, 30 minute internet card. Two minutes later, Todd did too. Apparently it only works for one person at a time and kicked me off. I was so angry. I do believe I'll just go to bed and pray that tomorrow is better.
Local Time: 6:15 pm
July 4, 2009
Day Fourteen
It was so nice to sleep in today. After most of the row, (the five rooms of pairs) stayed out drinking, I slept soundly in my bed. I was completely well rested, and ready to shop this morning. When Beth and I finally got some people together, we walked down to the market. Jess and Kacey bought some oranges and sweet potatoes and I went to the grocery store to buy more chips. They are not anything close to my Grandma Utt chips, but they are chips none the less. I filled my backpack with snack size bags and went to the internet cafe.
I can't post any of my blogs at the cafe, because Dr. Pat told us that if we put our external memory cards in their computers, we chance getting a lot of viruses. I don't really want to ruin my computer yet, so I haven't tried it. It was so nice to hear from everyone and see that you are still okay and functioning without me. =)
On our way back to Annie's we stopped at the wall to make some very important purchases. I haven't really been buying much because I want to wait to Lilondwe because we were told they have much nicer things. But it's still so much fun to look at the nice wood carvings. Angela, Beth, Todd and I went to Tasty Bites for lunch, had some beef samosas, and thought we saw Dave Chapelle. Not him, but still fun to pretend.
I finally organized my room after a week of complete disaster and feel much better now. It's almost time for dinner, but it will be another early night because we have to get up early to hike Mt. Malunje tomorrow. Hopefully it warms up and is nice. It's been very cloudy and cold, and sprinkling here the last few days. I don't want it to be like the last hike I went on.
Tonight we played spades. Learning to play at the GOP must have been bad, because Todd and Beth swore me and Carla were so mean when we played. It ended in a tie, we both won a set. But it did get a little ugly. Thank goodness Beth and I went to bed, both knowing it was a game. I'm glad she's my roommate.
Local Time: 8:30 pm
July 5, 2009
Day Fifteen
This morning we woke up early again, and headed to Mount Malunje. The drive out was an experience within itself. I threw up three times before we even left Zomba. Jeff was smoking outside the bus door before we left, I got really hot, emptied my sandwich bag into my backpack and threw up in the plastic bag. It wasn't til the third time that anyone noticed, so I must have been doing pretty good. Mom, I had been thinking about you, and you just make me sick. =) I slept on most of the way out hoping to feel better before we hiked.
When we got to the mountian, the scenery was absolutely amazing. I took lots of pictures. It was like being in the Blue Ridge Mountains all over again. We stopped and picked up a guide at the bottom, and then went to stop for a bathroom break at a nearby house. They had a huge turkey in the yard, and a little bitty orange kitten. There were vendors waiting with cedar items before we could even start our hike. A lot of people bought hiking sticks to use, but forgot to think of how they will be getting them home.
As we started up the mountain, it was beautiful, I forgot I was even in Africa. It was a nice hike, not to hard, but definately not flat. We made it to the waterfall and had lunch. Well everyone else had lunch, but I wasn't feeling well enough to eat the heavy peanut butter sandwich I brought. We played on the rocks and took tons of pictures of each other, and Beth, Jeff, and Moses even got in the water. No worries Dad, I already have one parasite, and I think that's enough for right now, so I didn't get in. I did put my hands in the water and it was freezing! Just like the outdoor pool, I almost felt at home.
On our hike down Charles tried to convince me to drive the bus home so that he could sit back and have a nap since he was tired from hiking so far. I don't know if 18 people could handle my driving skills. =) We hiked back down and by the time we reached the bottom we had six kids following us. All barefoot. They were sweet until we started to leave, then they started begging for pens, and wipes, and food. Anything they could say in English. At the bottom we stopped at the vendors to buy some cedar things. Some people bought boxes, some bought little drums, and other bought picture frames. Pat made us all get back on the bus so that we would get better deals. We did get a little better deals but not much, so most of us left with nothing.
On the ride home, I enjoyed looking at the tea plantations, and the different towns. I convinced Pat to ask Charles if we could stop along side the road to take pictures of the rats on a stick they sell as a snack. We stopped and had to pay 50 K to take a picture, but you will all die when you see them. It was so worth it!
When we got back to Annie's we were all so hungry, we were welcomed with another family style meal with lots of vegetables. We all enjoy these so much because we sit at one table and the food comes so much faster, and it's only 1000 K. But we had a treat tonight. Peter, Annie's son, threw us party. He even brought his friends from Lilongwe with turntables and disco lights. They gave out free liquor and lots of the group danced the night away. I was just the photographer since I've been taking antibotics but enjoyed myself anyways. A couple girls got a little too friendly, but thank goodness they all made it home safely. Todd knocked out one of our windows trying to wake me up because there was a lizard in his room and he was not sleeping in there. He stayed inbetween mine and Beth's bed.
Tuesday, July 7
Sunday, June 28
June 28
Local Time: 3:10 pm
Juney 28, 2009
This morning we got up early again, and 9 of us walked down to a Presbyterian Church for the English service. The service started at 8:30 and ended around 10:30. During the service we sang three songs, three choirs preformed, and we were introduced to the church. It was a little intimidating to walk in front of a congergation of about 300 Malawians to introduce ourselves individually. The sermon was about giving 10% of your harvest to the church. And people did just that, by the end of the offering time, there were eggs, and rice, and maize, all kinds of things scattered about the pulpit.
After church we returned home to Annie's worked on various things. Some people studied, some prepared for tomorrow, others napped and I made a card for the North Carolina A & T leader who's 60th birthday is tomorrow. Tonight we (well the people of Annie's) are throwing her a huge party with two cakes! I hope the cake is good, I'm really looking forward to it.
I'm a little sick of the food here, we have breakfast and dinner at the same place everyday, and it gets expensive and old. We are not allowed to eat any of the raw vegetables or salads because of the pesticides they use here in Malawi. I can't wait to come home for the food aspects of America. Also for the fast internet connections. It takes forever to upload anything here, even just webpages.
Juney 28, 2009
This morning we got up early again, and 9 of us walked down to a Presbyterian Church for the English service. The service started at 8:30 and ended around 10:30. During the service we sang three songs, three choirs preformed, and we were introduced to the church. It was a little intimidating to walk in front of a congergation of about 300 Malawians to introduce ourselves individually. The sermon was about giving 10% of your harvest to the church. And people did just that, by the end of the offering time, there were eggs, and rice, and maize, all kinds of things scattered about the pulpit.
After church we returned home to Annie's worked on various things. Some people studied, some prepared for tomorrow, others napped and I made a card for the North Carolina A & T leader who's 60th birthday is tomorrow. Tonight we (well the people of Annie's) are throwing her a huge party with two cakes! I hope the cake is good, I'm really looking forward to it.
I'm a little sick of the food here, we have breakfast and dinner at the same place everyday, and it gets expensive and old. We are not allowed to eat any of the raw vegetables or salads because of the pesticides they use here in Malawi. I can't wait to come home for the food aspects of America. Also for the fast internet connections. It takes forever to upload anything here, even just webpages.
Saturday, June 27
June 26 and 27
Local Time: 11:45 pm
June 26, 2009
Oh my gosh. What a long day! This morning we went to the Malemia school where I will be teaching for our first day. We sat down with all of the teachers (eight) and discussed all of our goals, and their wishes. I was placed with Gertrude in Standard One and I was so excited! The head teacher or what we call the principal is Ester Majawa. She was a little disconnected, but I think she has bigger and better things to do than sit around and chat with the 5 Radford students.
When I first arrived in Gertrude's class, we started with a song. Then we moved onto English. The children were asked to say "My name is ____" but only when called on and after they stood up. Then Gertrude would say "Clap your hands for him/her" and the whole class would do claps together and at the end would scream "Keep It Up!" It was adorable. Then she would ask them where they live and they would all repeat "I live at ______ Village." All at once, it was a little bit overwhelming with the concrete echoing walls. In English we repeated several things, and my favorite was "It's a duster" talking about the chalkboard eraser. So cute. We sang songs and did the alphabet, with v and w switched around. I looked ridiculous when I said it. The stupid white kid doesn't know the alphabet. Haha!!! We also did math today. Only two problems were accomplished. But thats okay, I loved every minute. (There were 93 students present today.)
The standard one students get out of school at 11, but before they were allowed to go home they must pick up the garbage and put it away, sweep the floors with a very short broom made from the tops of corn stalks. And then they must return to where Gertrude is standing and tell her "Goodbye Madame!" Then they all scatter across the dirt field. I explained to her, that in America the children are not allowed to just leave like that, they must ride the bus or parents pick them up. She was shocked.
The most distrubing part of my day, that I keep thinking about over and over, was I saw a child eat a match box, striker strips and all. Surely that can not be healthy.
After the Radford kids walked about two miles to the Demonstration school to pick up the A&T students, the kids there did some traditional dancing. They were awesome. I stopped carrying my camera today, because it's so heavy on my long walk, but I will make sure to document that next week. After that, the 10 of us walked to the MIE (Malawi Institute of Education) for our class, where we met the Tech students. This will be our daily routune in the classroom. These classes in the afternoons are killing me. It's so warm in the classroom that I can't stay awake. But it's not just me, everyone is so tired by that point it's impossible not to doze.
There were some kids that walked with us from Malemia school, to the Demonstration, and then to MIE and waited for us while we had class, and stayed around until Charles came to pick us up. Jennifer told us it would be like that. Today we came straight back to Annie's after school and took naps. We had a special treat in store for tonight.
After an early dinner, that still takes two hours, and a power outage, which is common, we got ready and loaded up in a truck for Annie's house. Annie invited us into her home tonight for pregaming before she took us to a club. At the club the guys were shocked to see so many girls, especially American girls. They said they were just going to say they met Jessica Simpson since we have a Jess. So funny. Very much like American clubs, lots of dancing, mostly guys dancing instead of girls though, tons of smoking, and drinking. At Annie's house we met the Bishop of the Catholic Church here in Zomba who then later joined us at the club.
We had an awesome time, but these really long days wear me out. Tomorrow we are going to the market in town and are having dresses made! I'll be sure to let you know how that goes.
Local Time: 7:20 pm
June 27, 2009
Today we got to sleep in a little but yet there were still people late to our meeting. Ugh, I don't deal well with late people. Anyhow, we walked down to the market this morning around ten. It's about a two mile walk down, but seems like a five mile hike up. We went through the market where they sell lots of tomatoes, potatoes, oranges and chickens. Some places had beans and rice, but not many.
Todd got lost on the way there because he wanted to stop in the bike shop to look for an air pump to blow up his soccer balls. Most of the group bought fabric to have dresses, shirts, skirts, and tablecloths made. I shopped at the grocery store to buy a couple of things for the kids in standard one to play with on Monday.
After grabbing some samosas on the way back at Tastey Bites, we, the Radford group met with two Davids to discuss drawing up and painting on the walls of Malemia primary school some pictures of various educational things such as, road signs, shapes, colors, maps, and elephants. They said they would do their work for only $1200 K a day, which relates to about $11.00. I was a little frustrated in this meeting because we only have 5 days to paint in 8 classrooms and we were looking a unrealistic ideas. I think I must be tired and hungry, so I was a little cranky. Sorry to all.
June 26, 2009
Oh my gosh. What a long day! This morning we went to the Malemia school where I will be teaching for our first day. We sat down with all of the teachers (eight) and discussed all of our goals, and their wishes. I was placed with Gertrude in Standard One and I was so excited! The head teacher or what we call the principal is Ester Majawa. She was a little disconnected, but I think she has bigger and better things to do than sit around and chat with the 5 Radford students.
When I first arrived in Gertrude's class, we started with a song. Then we moved onto English. The children were asked to say "My name is ____" but only when called on and after they stood up. Then Gertrude would say "Clap your hands for him/her" and the whole class would do claps together and at the end would scream "Keep It Up!" It was adorable. Then she would ask them where they live and they would all repeat "I live at ______ Village." All at once, it was a little bit overwhelming with the concrete echoing walls. In English we repeated several things, and my favorite was "It's a duster" talking about the chalkboard eraser. So cute. We sang songs and did the alphabet, with v and w switched around. I looked ridiculous when I said it. The stupid white kid doesn't know the alphabet. Haha!!! We also did math today. Only two problems were accomplished. But thats okay, I loved every minute. (There were 93 students present today.)
The standard one students get out of school at 11, but before they were allowed to go home they must pick up the garbage and put it away, sweep the floors with a very short broom made from the tops of corn stalks. And then they must return to where Gertrude is standing and tell her "Goodbye Madame!" Then they all scatter across the dirt field. I explained to her, that in America the children are not allowed to just leave like that, they must ride the bus or parents pick them up. She was shocked.
The most distrubing part of my day, that I keep thinking about over and over, was I saw a child eat a match box, striker strips and all. Surely that can not be healthy.
After the Radford kids walked about two miles to the Demonstration school to pick up the A&T students, the kids there did some traditional dancing. They were awesome. I stopped carrying my camera today, because it's so heavy on my long walk, but I will make sure to document that next week. After that, the 10 of us walked to the MIE (Malawi Institute of Education) for our class, where we met the Tech students. This will be our daily routune in the classroom. These classes in the afternoons are killing me. It's so warm in the classroom that I can't stay awake. But it's not just me, everyone is so tired by that point it's impossible not to doze.
There were some kids that walked with us from Malemia school, to the Demonstration, and then to MIE and waited for us while we had class, and stayed around until Charles came to pick us up. Jennifer told us it would be like that. Today we came straight back to Annie's after school and took naps. We had a special treat in store for tonight.
After an early dinner, that still takes two hours, and a power outage, which is common, we got ready and loaded up in a truck for Annie's house. Annie invited us into her home tonight for pregaming before she took us to a club. At the club the guys were shocked to see so many girls, especially American girls. They said they were just going to say they met Jessica Simpson since we have a Jess. So funny. Very much like American clubs, lots of dancing, mostly guys dancing instead of girls though, tons of smoking, and drinking. At Annie's house we met the Bishop of the Catholic Church here in Zomba who then later joined us at the club.
We had an awesome time, but these really long days wear me out. Tomorrow we are going to the market in town and are having dresses made! I'll be sure to let you know how that goes.
Local Time: 7:20 pm
June 27, 2009
Today we got to sleep in a little but yet there were still people late to our meeting. Ugh, I don't deal well with late people. Anyhow, we walked down to the market this morning around ten. It's about a two mile walk down, but seems like a five mile hike up. We went through the market where they sell lots of tomatoes, potatoes, oranges and chickens. Some places had beans and rice, but not many.
Todd got lost on the way there because he wanted to stop in the bike shop to look for an air pump to blow up his soccer balls. Most of the group bought fabric to have dresses, shirts, skirts, and tablecloths made. I shopped at the grocery store to buy a couple of things for the kids in standard one to play with on Monday.
After grabbing some samosas on the way back at Tastey Bites, we, the Radford group met with two Davids to discuss drawing up and painting on the walls of Malemia primary school some pictures of various educational things such as, road signs, shapes, colors, maps, and elephants. They said they would do their work for only $1200 K a day, which relates to about $11.00. I was a little frustrated in this meeting because we only have 5 days to paint in 8 classrooms and we were looking a unrealistic ideas. I think I must be tired and hungry, so I was a little cranky. Sorry to all.
Thursday, June 25
sorry
sorry i couldn't upload more photos that part of the internet is super slow!! and for all of the spelling mistakes, it doesnt spell check either. miss you all!
Day 4 and 5
Local Time: 8:05 pm
June 24, 2009
Day Four
Today was a super long day for us. I didn't sleep hardly any last night, about two hours. The dogs were out barking again, and it sounded like they were having a party beneath us with loud music and furniture moving. This morning we got up and went back to breakfast at the Pizzaland with eggs, toast, bananas and such. After breakfast we loaded the bus with 18 people and 2 suitcases per person plus carryon. We were stuffed to the max. We left Lilongwe and drove out into the country for about an hour until we reached Dedza Pottery and the Elephant Dung Paper Making Plant. We had lunch at the goregous pottery plant with elaborate terraces and shopped around. For lunch I had beef stew that was pretty good, but with lots of big onions.
After lunch we went down the dirt road to where Henry makes paper from elephant dung and the collected old paper he has. First we went to his shop where we all bought so much that he told us it would support his community for four months! His poor walls were bare after we left. While most of us shopped, Todd and Carla made friends with some local (4) children gathering around the bus. Soon there were thirty children of all ages, boys and girls surrounding us outside of the bus. Todd brought some small bouncy balls that were a huge hit with the boys. While he played with them, all the girls were up for having their pictures taken. Angela gave one of the boys a bag of Life ceral which he then distributed to the other's pockets. One boy was so precious, he had on a Boy Scouts of America shirt. Another boy was only 5 years olds, carrying his baby brother on his back in a sack. But he was too cute, he would pose to have his picture taken so that he could then see himself on the screen. We then loaded the bus back up and drove not even 5 minutes down the road to where Henry actually makes the paper. We bid the children goodbye as we drove off. What do they do? Follow us down the road screaming, "please don't leave!"
We then went to Henry's house to watch him make the paper. He showed us every step to making recycled paper. However, no one was interested in poor Henry because being a bunch of teachers, we were all so fascinated with all the children who had gathered around to hear and see the demonstration around his fence. They would poke their little heads through the tatched fence and would chatter loudly to the others about what was going on. After playing with the children for a while and taking a lot more pictures we loaded back on the bus for another long trip.
Charles drove us for about an hour until we unloaded once again at the Lizulu Market. This was a real experience. On one side of the road is Malawi and the other side is Mozimbuque. Both sides of the road have elaborate markets with lots of fresh vegetables, clothes, and shoes. We were looking for oranges while Charles stopped to pick up a few vegetables for his own family since they are much cheaper here. The group walked around for just a few minutes before a drunk man came up and started telling us that Malawi was his country and we could not take pictures. This really scared me because I did not want him to take my nice camera! Pat took care of him and told him to Go Away and Leave Us Alone.
We loaded the bus back up and drove for about three more hours until we reached Mankoahwe village and stopped for a quick photo opportunity. After sitting in the very front of the bus like with the windshield today so that I wouldn't get car sick, I have been designated at the photographer of the group and everyone wants to get copies of my pictures. (That makes me feel nice.) I am also in charge of making sure the Radford kids don't get lost. Ugh, but some of them I might just forget sometimes when they become too materialistic.
For the final leg of our journey today, we drove one more hour to Annie's Lodge in Zomba. We passed a couple of little villages and town markets on the way but were told we had three weeks to shop at those places and not to start looking now! When we finally got to Annie's it was almost dark and so we unloaded the bus as fast we could with luggage and all. But the bus died right in the driveway and started to roll backwards down the huge hill. Bad news for Charles. That was almost three hours ago and it's still not fixed. When we got here, the electricity was out and so we had to enter our room by candle light. A little sketchy doing it in the dark, but we can already tell this is so much nicer than the Budget Lodge and we will be able to call it home for the next three weeks.
We went down for dinner and I chose to have spaghetti with tomato sauce. It was served with green beans that were so delicious. I am completely exhausted today from a lack of sleep last night but the lights just came back on so I'm going to take a quick shower and get to bed. Good night!
Pictures:
*42, Homes on the Way to Freedom Gardens
*52 Enterance to Freedom Gardens
*115 Trying to learn to balance bananas on my head
*130 The whole group with Moses and Daniel
*220 High fiving the kids around Dedza Pottery
*272 Me and Charles the bus driver (he loves me)
*312 The kids at Malemia (the school I'll be teaching at) posing for pictures
Local Time: 10:00 am/12:30 pm/7:30 pm
June 25, 2009
Day Five
This morning we got up to have a very nice breakfast at Annie's Lodge. I had a cheese omelet and some toast. It was very nice. No monkeys in the dining room yet, they say they are shy at first and then come every day. I can't wait!!!!!!
We drove to Demasi this morning, which is just like the next town over to meet the school children at Malemia Primary. This is hard to describe. When all 18 of us got off the bus, the children started running towards us. We were introducing ourselves and high fiving the kids. We then tried to tour all of the classroom on the grounds. They call their grades "standards" and primary school is standard 1 through 8. I would really like to teach standard two with teacher Gertrude. I'm not sure if this will be possible since two of the other girls in my group are Early Childhood education. The children in standard three sang a very nice song with an uplifting beat. I can't wait to learn it.
After we saw the hut where the poorage from the feeding program that Radford started we had to leave. As we were leaving, we realized we had left one of the Rachels. Oops. But Charles stopped for her before he took us to the demonstration school. The North Carolina A&T students will be teaching here. This school is a structured building with lots of nice classrooms with tables. The children were much calmer and none were skipping class like at Malemia. The teachers greeted us with a meeting and thanked us so much for coming. They said we were such an asset to them.
Next we walked down a beautiful trail through what they call woods, and by a small river (more like a creek in our standards) to the government school. This is where the Virginia Tech students will be teaching. Many, around 100 students greeted us. The government school has many more students than the other two schools, all wearing a blue uniform. The kids swarmed us so much that there was a huge dust cloud. The whole day was so heartwarming.
After we finally got to rest at the Malawi Institute of Education and bought cold drinks, we were filed into a classroom for our first, of many, group discussions. This got really personal as we started talking about what had warmed our hearts so far, what we were uneasy about and how we felt about the next several days. We discussed the use of our pictures and that got a little intense. We talked about burning questions that can be answered over our stay.
Charles finally picked us up and took us to buy more water. Keep in mind that the only thing we can do here is shower in the water. We have to brush our teeth and wash our faces and hands with bottled water. I do not like carrying gallons of water up the hill to Annie's. (And no mom, it wouldn't have benefited me to go on any more hikes with you.) Tonight we are just relaxing and getting really settled into our rooms. I didn't get dinner tonight because there was a mixup with the pizzas and so I'm having Ramen Noodles. (Thanks for packing them Mom!) I miss you all and hope all is well in the States! Everyone email me! That's the best way to get in touch. And some days I just need a little something to keep me going! kadams292@radford.edu. Love you!
June 24, 2009
Day Four
Today was a super long day for us. I didn't sleep hardly any last night, about two hours. The dogs were out barking again, and it sounded like they were having a party beneath us with loud music and furniture moving. This morning we got up and went back to breakfast at the Pizzaland with eggs, toast, bananas and such. After breakfast we loaded the bus with 18 people and 2 suitcases per person plus carryon. We were stuffed to the max. We left Lilongwe and drove out into the country for about an hour until we reached Dedza Pottery and the Elephant Dung Paper Making Plant. We had lunch at the goregous pottery plant with elaborate terraces and shopped around. For lunch I had beef stew that was pretty good, but with lots of big onions.
After lunch we went down the dirt road to where Henry makes paper from elephant dung and the collected old paper he has. First we went to his shop where we all bought so much that he told us it would support his community for four months! His poor walls were bare after we left. While most of us shopped, Todd and Carla made friends with some local (4) children gathering around the bus. Soon there were thirty children of all ages, boys and girls surrounding us outside of the bus. Todd brought some small bouncy balls that were a huge hit with the boys. While he played with them, all the girls were up for having their pictures taken. Angela gave one of the boys a bag of Life ceral which he then distributed to the other's pockets. One boy was so precious, he had on a Boy Scouts of America shirt. Another boy was only 5 years olds, carrying his baby brother on his back in a sack. But he was too cute, he would pose to have his picture taken so that he could then see himself on the screen. We then loaded the bus back up and drove not even 5 minutes down the road to where Henry actually makes the paper. We bid the children goodbye as we drove off. What do they do? Follow us down the road screaming, "please don't leave!"
We then went to Henry's house to watch him make the paper. He showed us every step to making recycled paper. However, no one was interested in poor Henry because being a bunch of teachers, we were all so fascinated with all the children who had gathered around to hear and see the demonstration around his fence. They would poke their little heads through the tatched fence and would chatter loudly to the others about what was going on. After playing with the children for a while and taking a lot more pictures we loaded back on the bus for another long trip.
Charles drove us for about an hour until we unloaded once again at the Lizulu Market. This was a real experience. On one side of the road is Malawi and the other side is Mozimbuque. Both sides of the road have elaborate markets with lots of fresh vegetables, clothes, and shoes. We were looking for oranges while Charles stopped to pick up a few vegetables for his own family since they are much cheaper here. The group walked around for just a few minutes before a drunk man came up and started telling us that Malawi was his country and we could not take pictures. This really scared me because I did not want him to take my nice camera! Pat took care of him and told him to Go Away and Leave Us Alone.
We loaded the bus back up and drove for about three more hours until we reached Mankoahwe village and stopped for a quick photo opportunity. After sitting in the very front of the bus like with the windshield today so that I wouldn't get car sick, I have been designated at the photographer of the group and everyone wants to get copies of my pictures. (That makes me feel nice.) I am also in charge of making sure the Radford kids don't get lost. Ugh, but some of them I might just forget sometimes when they become too materialistic.
For the final leg of our journey today, we drove one more hour to Annie's Lodge in Zomba. We passed a couple of little villages and town markets on the way but were told we had three weeks to shop at those places and not to start looking now! When we finally got to Annie's it was almost dark and so we unloaded the bus as fast we could with luggage and all. But the bus died right in the driveway and started to roll backwards down the huge hill. Bad news for Charles. That was almost three hours ago and it's still not fixed. When we got here, the electricity was out and so we had to enter our room by candle light. A little sketchy doing it in the dark, but we can already tell this is so much nicer than the Budget Lodge and we will be able to call it home for the next three weeks.
We went down for dinner and I chose to have spaghetti with tomato sauce. It was served with green beans that were so delicious. I am completely exhausted today from a lack of sleep last night but the lights just came back on so I'm going to take a quick shower and get to bed. Good night!
Pictures:
*42, Homes on the Way to Freedom Gardens
*52 Enterance to Freedom Gardens
*115 Trying to learn to balance bananas on my head
*130 The whole group with Moses and Daniel
*220 High fiving the kids around Dedza Pottery
*272 Me and Charles the bus driver (he loves me)
*312 The kids at Malemia (the school I'll be teaching at) posing for pictures
Local Time: 10:00 am/12:30 pm/7:30 pm
June 25, 2009
Day Five
This morning we got up to have a very nice breakfast at Annie's Lodge. I had a cheese omelet and some toast. It was very nice. No monkeys in the dining room yet, they say they are shy at first and then come every day. I can't wait!!!!!!
We drove to Demasi this morning, which is just like the next town over to meet the school children at Malemia Primary. This is hard to describe. When all 18 of us got off the bus, the children started running towards us. We were introducing ourselves and high fiving the kids. We then tried to tour all of the classroom on the grounds. They call their grades "standards" and primary school is standard 1 through 8. I would really like to teach standard two with teacher Gertrude. I'm not sure if this will be possible since two of the other girls in my group are Early Childhood education. The children in standard three sang a very nice song with an uplifting beat. I can't wait to learn it.
After we saw the hut where the poorage from the feeding program that Radford started we had to leave. As we were leaving, we realized we had left one of the Rachels. Oops. But Charles stopped for her before he took us to the demonstration school. The North Carolina A&T students will be teaching here. This school is a structured building with lots of nice classrooms with tables. The children were much calmer and none were skipping class like at Malemia. The teachers greeted us with a meeting and thanked us so much for coming. They said we were such an asset to them.
Next we walked down a beautiful trail through what they call woods, and by a small river (more like a creek in our standards) to the government school. This is where the Virginia Tech students will be teaching. Many, around 100 students greeted us. The government school has many more students than the other two schools, all wearing a blue uniform. The kids swarmed us so much that there was a huge dust cloud. The whole day was so heartwarming.
After we finally got to rest at the Malawi Institute of Education and bought cold drinks, we were filed into a classroom for our first, of many, group discussions. This got really personal as we started talking about what had warmed our hearts so far, what we were uneasy about and how we felt about the next several days. We discussed the use of our pictures and that got a little intense. We talked about burning questions that can be answered over our stay.
Charles finally picked us up and took us to buy more water. Keep in mind that the only thing we can do here is shower in the water. We have to brush our teeth and wash our faces and hands with bottled water. I do not like carrying gallons of water up the hill to Annie's. (And no mom, it wouldn't have benefited me to go on any more hikes with you.) Tonight we are just relaxing and getting really settled into our rooms. I didn't get dinner tonight because there was a mixup with the pizzas and so I'm having Ramen Noodles. (Thanks for packing them Mom!) I miss you all and hope all is well in the States! Everyone email me! That's the best way to get in touch. And some days I just need a little something to keep me going! kadams292@radford.edu. Love you!
Budget Lodge (Dreads)
Local Time: 9:05 pm
June 22, 2009
Budget Lodge
We have finally made it to Lilongwe. Charles, our new beloved, and trusted bus driver picked us up at the airport after Pat Kelly (the lady in charge who's been 27 times to Malawi) told them they were not allowed to search our bags. She said they would try and tax the things we brought in to give to the schools. We drove about 20 minutes to our budget lodge. How would I describe this? Uh, down a dirty dirt alley, right off the main road where the vendors sell. I'm already sharing a room with Beth, and I do believe we weill be just fine together for four weeks. After we settled into our twin beds, we got back on the bus to go change our money. $100 USD to $17,200 Kawcha. Pat says this is the best exchange rate she's ever seen. Next we went to the American Embassy where they checked our bus for bombs. This really surprised Ann. But we were cleared and sent through. Then we met with Peter Brodde, the Ambassador to the U.S. He was extremely nice and told us, bottom line to make good choices. He invited us to the 4th of July party at his house. But we will be unable to attend because it's too much in fuel for the bus to drive back and forth to Zomba. After our appointment we stopped at the grogery store to buy water. When we got back to the hotel we went straight to dinner at a place called the Pizzaland. I had chicken breast (bone-in) and chips (like our french fries). It was delicious. Although I would have eaten anything, I was so hungry. Tomorrow we are going to freedome garden. We've been told it's amazing.
Local Time: 8:15 am
June 23, 2009
Day Three
We have just finished breakfast at the Pizzaland. The same place we had dinner last night. We had eggs, toast, cornflakes, and fruit punch to drink. It was very delicious. Rough night's sleep last night, Beth and I had to listen to the wild dogs bark all night. We're leaving for Freedom Gardens now. I have no idea what to expect.
Local Time: 9:00 pm
June 23, 2009
Day Three
What a long day! We went to Freedom Gardens this morning, which was a 45 minute bus ride, all down dirt roads. "Tidkondwe (which means Be Happy) Freedom Gardens" is own and operated by Mrs. C and her son, Daniel Chinkhuntha. Moses, Daniel's best friend is his right hand man and does a large amount of work on the farms as well. When we arrived the three of them greeted us and gave us a "talk" about the gardens, how they came to be, and some of their goals. Some of the things they spoke about were how 75% of the profits go back to the land in some way or another, the other 25% is for home consumption and workers pay. They showed us how they make and use integrated pesticides from different bushes including aloe vera, garlic and indian leaves to scare away the bees and ants. Daniel and Moses told us they planted banana trees by the river because they have tough roots to prevent the beds from erosion. Food sovereignity was one of Daniel's favorite terms, meaning that whenever the village needs or wants food you can provide. Unfortunately most of the time they only have food sufficiency which means if there is an absolute need for food they can find it, but there is no extra for pleasures. At Freedom Gardens they grow many different crops such as maize, legumes, carrots, squash, strawberries, bananas, papaya, oranges, lemons and green beans to incorporate permaculture. The ladies of the village made us lunch of banana sausage, pinto beans that were better than any I've ever had (sorry Mom), rice, chicken and pumpkin leaves. We were all so hungry by the time we ate, that they could have given us anything and we would have been happy.
The weather was so warm here, (Matt, if you read this I have not yet said "I can't handle the heat") not hot, standing in the shade with the breeze made me want to have on long sleeves. On our way home we stopped at a local market to buy cooking dishes for 100 Kawcha, which is like .60 USD. They are so cool, I hope they make it home in one piece, we were told that they are known to crumble in luggage. After we were dropped off at the hotel by Charles, a group of us went to an internet cafe, it was only 5 Kawcha per minute, but the computers were very slow and we had to be at dinner at a certain time. We went to dinner at Ala Ababis, where I had a fantastic hawiaiian pizza with no tomato sauce. Dinner takes so long to get served, so we were ready to get back to the hotel when we were done. (Side note, it gets dark here about 5 pm) Beth and I took hot showers, which no one else seems to be able to accomplish. Lucky us!
The group of 18 students had gathered outside one of the boy's rooms after our dinner with three locals. They had been hanging around the hotel since we got here. Jeff and Todd made friends with them right off the bat. Beth and I thought they were sketchy from the beginning. Ann and Pat Kelly bought everyone a beer to try and we sat around on the steps for about an hour with the locals. Jeff got his dreads re-done by John Banana after some heavy trading of goods. Todd talked with Respect, and Fantastic tried to make everyone feel bad about not buying his paintings. I was chilly and cold so decided to come in early, but Beth went back to purchase bracelets from John Banana who just gave her one dread lock too. He got upset with her because she didn't offer enough money and so she came back very quickly! Then from being out of sorts she brushed her teeth with the sink water. Oops!
June 22, 2009
Budget Lodge
We have finally made it to Lilongwe. Charles, our new beloved, and trusted bus driver picked us up at the airport after Pat Kelly (the lady in charge who's been 27 times to Malawi) told them they were not allowed to search our bags. She said they would try and tax the things we brought in to give to the schools. We drove about 20 minutes to our budget lodge. How would I describe this? Uh, down a dirty dirt alley, right off the main road where the vendors sell. I'm already sharing a room with Beth, and I do believe we weill be just fine together for four weeks. After we settled into our twin beds, we got back on the bus to go change our money. $100 USD to $17,200 Kawcha. Pat says this is the best exchange rate she's ever seen. Next we went to the American Embassy where they checked our bus for bombs. This really surprised Ann. But we were cleared and sent through. Then we met with Peter Brodde, the Ambassador to the U.S. He was extremely nice and told us, bottom line to make good choices. He invited us to the 4th of July party at his house. But we will be unable to attend because it's too much in fuel for the bus to drive back and forth to Zomba. After our appointment we stopped at the grogery store to buy water. When we got back to the hotel we went straight to dinner at a place called the Pizzaland. I had chicken breast (bone-in) and chips (like our french fries). It was delicious. Although I would have eaten anything, I was so hungry. Tomorrow we are going to freedome garden. We've been told it's amazing.
Local Time: 8:15 am
June 23, 2009
Day Three
We have just finished breakfast at the Pizzaland. The same place we had dinner last night. We had eggs, toast, cornflakes, and fruit punch to drink. It was very delicious. Rough night's sleep last night, Beth and I had to listen to the wild dogs bark all night. We're leaving for Freedom Gardens now. I have no idea what to expect.
Local Time: 9:00 pm
June 23, 2009
Day Three
What a long day! We went to Freedom Gardens this morning, which was a 45 minute bus ride, all down dirt roads. "Tidkondwe (which means Be Happy) Freedom Gardens" is own and operated by Mrs. C and her son, Daniel Chinkhuntha. Moses, Daniel's best friend is his right hand man and does a large amount of work on the farms as well. When we arrived the three of them greeted us and gave us a "talk" about the gardens, how they came to be, and some of their goals. Some of the things they spoke about were how 75% of the profits go back to the land in some way or another, the other 25% is for home consumption and workers pay. They showed us how they make and use integrated pesticides from different bushes including aloe vera, garlic and indian leaves to scare away the bees and ants. Daniel and Moses told us they planted banana trees by the river because they have tough roots to prevent the beds from erosion. Food sovereignity was one of Daniel's favorite terms, meaning that whenever the village needs or wants food you can provide. Unfortunately most of the time they only have food sufficiency which means if there is an absolute need for food they can find it, but there is no extra for pleasures. At Freedom Gardens they grow many different crops such as maize, legumes, carrots, squash, strawberries, bananas, papaya, oranges, lemons and green beans to incorporate permaculture. The ladies of the village made us lunch of banana sausage, pinto beans that were better than any I've ever had (sorry Mom), rice, chicken and pumpkin leaves. We were all so hungry by the time we ate, that they could have given us anything and we would have been happy.
The weather was so warm here, (Matt, if you read this I have not yet said "I can't handle the heat") not hot, standing in the shade with the breeze made me want to have on long sleeves. On our way home we stopped at a local market to buy cooking dishes for 100 Kawcha, which is like .60 USD. They are so cool, I hope they make it home in one piece, we were told that they are known to crumble in luggage. After we were dropped off at the hotel by Charles, a group of us went to an internet cafe, it was only 5 Kawcha per minute, but the computers were very slow and we had to be at dinner at a certain time. We went to dinner at Ala Ababis, where I had a fantastic hawiaiian pizza with no tomato sauce. Dinner takes so long to get served, so we were ready to get back to the hotel when we were done. (Side note, it gets dark here about 5 pm) Beth and I took hot showers, which no one else seems to be able to accomplish. Lucky us!
The group of 18 students had gathered outside one of the boy's rooms after our dinner with three locals. They had been hanging around the hotel since we got here. Jeff and Todd made friends with them right off the bat. Beth and I thought they were sketchy from the beginning. Ann and Pat Kelly bought everyone a beer to try and we sat around on the steps for about an hour with the locals. Jeff got his dreads re-done by John Banana after some heavy trading of goods. Todd talked with Respect, and Fantastic tried to make everyone feel bad about not buying his paintings. I was chilly and cold so decided to come in early, but Beth went back to purchase bracelets from John Banana who just gave her one dread lock too. He got upset with her because she didn't offer enough money and so she came back very quickly! Then from being out of sorts she brushed her teeth with the sink water. Oops!
Plane Journal
Over Charlottetown, Canada
June 21, 2009
Local Time: 1:10 pm
Outside Temperature: -52 F
Altitude: 33,000 Feet
Distance to Rome: 3406 Miles
After a very slow start we finally pulled away from the gate at Dulles International Airport in Washington D.C. around 11 am. So far, so good. The lady sitting next to me leans on my too much and even with the noise canceling headphones, it's very loud. I've watched part of one movie but I have no idea what it was, the titles aren't listed anywhere. Marley and Me was also playing but with my emotions already heightened I chose against it. On the screen right now it says that we have 6 hours and 22 minutes before we arrive in Rome. Then another 6 or 7 hours until we get to Addis Ababa. Oh, yea, and then 4 more hours until Malawi.
We just finished our first meal of either fish and pasta or beef tips and soggy potatoes. I chose the beef but had a slight problem eating the yucky potatoes. Each meal had a spinach salad withe olives that were amazing. A roll with herbs and a packet of butter to go with it. A block of cheddar cheese, crackers and absolutely wonderful cheesecake! I've been holding off on sleeping as long as I can, but I'm sure it will hit me soon. The air temperatue inside the airplane was great until I started writing this and now it's getting chilly, good thing they give us blankets, pillows, eye covers, and socks. I can tell you that I am already ready to get there, and that I will be asking for a window seat on the way home so that I can lean against it to sleep. Dad, you would love the TV screens on each seat, they show maps of our travel route from like 4 different angles, aircraft speed, outside temp., altitudes, distance to arrivals and from departure. It's like your geek watch on steiroids.
Over Sailsbury
June 21, 2009
Local Time: 5:31 pm
Outside Temperature: -65 F
Altitude: 35,000 feet
Distance to Rome: 942 miles
Dinner came. Ugh. No choice on this one. We only had cold rice, cucumbers and shaved raw salmon. A wheat roll, and an icing covered brownie. So, all I ate was the cucumbers and brownie. I know I'm going to be hungry again very soon. We should land in Rome in about an hour and a half. We are only stopping to refuel, no one is allowed to get off. I found out by channel surfing, they play the same 5 movies over and over. Again, without titles.
Not only did the lady next to me spill her warm club soda all over her tray when she was pouring from her can to the glass, but she is now leaning over me to watch my TV. She has her own for heaven's sake! She also asked the girl from Virginia Tech sitting on the other side of her to butter rolls and fix her tea with sugar only. All of which is he perfectly capable of completing alone.
I believe I have listened to at least 100 songs on my ipod by now, but only read 30 pages of the one what seems like 400 pounds worth of books in my bookbag. There are loads of children on this flight and they keep running up and down the alises. The second half of the time spent in the air so far, has not been very enjoyable. Sorry for complaining. Miss and love you all!
Over Athens
June 22, 2009
Local Time: 3:18 am
Distance to Addis Ababa: 2285 miles
Outside Temp: -56 F
Altitude: 33,000 feet
We were just served snacks. A small bag of crackers shaped like jet engines. Pretty yummy actually. I've been sleeping on and off since our last meal but I just can't get comfortable if you can imagine. It's times like these that I am so thankful to be small. We stopped in Rome to refuel, but we got a new flight crew, and they are very sassy according to a nearby complainer. I am getting concerned that when we finally land in Malawi, after a plane change in Addis Ababa, that we will be expected to explore and I have a strange feeling that I will just be completely exhausted.
Over Bahir Dar
June 22, 2009
Local Time: 8:05 am
Distance to Travel: 302 Miles
Outside Temp: -60 F
Altitude: 35,000 feet
I can not wait to get off this flight! We have less than an hour before we land. They just served us a breakfast. It was an unknown substance to me, so I ate a little crossiant and pieces of fruit. Everyone is waiting in line for a bathroom to brush their teeth. I think I'll just wait until we unload the plane. All of the announcements are done in whatever language Ethiopians speak so I have no idea what the lady is saying. I am ready to have my own personal space back since it's been invaded for the last 15 hours. It's not even funny.
In flight to Lilongwe
June 22, 2009
Local time: 11:00 am
Day Two
Altitude: 26,000 feet
After unloading the first plane from Rome we ran to the buses that drove us across the tarmack to take us away again. Our first flight was completely full due to the problems from the night before. So it took forever to get everyone off the plane. Also, we arrived about twenty minutes late in Ethiopia, therefore we were in such a rush to make the next flight I couldn't brush my teeth. But thankfully since there were 18 of us, they held the plane. This is flight is not full so I have much more space. It's so nice! I think that for the most of this trip I will be very appreciative of the small things in my life. We were just served lunch which was an odd laganse with cooked carrots. I enjoyed it. However, I was disappointed in the dessert this time. It was a custard/pudding thing with lots of cinnamon. I am sitting with Dr. Roberts, so I've been helping her organize all of the moneys. This is a much smaller plane and I can feel every single bump and could. Good thing this is only about a four hour flight. I've been listening to more music since there is no movie, but I think I will try and sleep some. Oh, and there is no individual TV on this airplane so I can't watch the maps with all the neat information. (Someone in here stinks. Peeeeeeewhew.)
June 21, 2009
Local Time: 1:10 pm
Outside Temperature: -52 F
Altitude: 33,000 Feet
Distance to Rome: 3406 Miles
After a very slow start we finally pulled away from the gate at Dulles International Airport in Washington D.C. around 11 am. So far, so good. The lady sitting next to me leans on my too much and even with the noise canceling headphones, it's very loud. I've watched part of one movie but I have no idea what it was, the titles aren't listed anywhere. Marley and Me was also playing but with my emotions already heightened I chose against it. On the screen right now it says that we have 6 hours and 22 minutes before we arrive in Rome. Then another 6 or 7 hours until we get to Addis Ababa. Oh, yea, and then 4 more hours until Malawi.
We just finished our first meal of either fish and pasta or beef tips and soggy potatoes. I chose the beef but had a slight problem eating the yucky potatoes. Each meal had a spinach salad withe olives that were amazing. A roll with herbs and a packet of butter to go with it. A block of cheddar cheese, crackers and absolutely wonderful cheesecake! I've been holding off on sleeping as long as I can, but I'm sure it will hit me soon. The air temperatue inside the airplane was great until I started writing this and now it's getting chilly, good thing they give us blankets, pillows, eye covers, and socks. I can tell you that I am already ready to get there, and that I will be asking for a window seat on the way home so that I can lean against it to sleep. Dad, you would love the TV screens on each seat, they show maps of our travel route from like 4 different angles, aircraft speed, outside temp., altitudes, distance to arrivals and from departure. It's like your geek watch on steiroids.
Over Sailsbury
June 21, 2009
Local Time: 5:31 pm
Outside Temperature: -65 F
Altitude: 35,000 feet
Distance to Rome: 942 miles
Dinner came. Ugh. No choice on this one. We only had cold rice, cucumbers and shaved raw salmon. A wheat roll, and an icing covered brownie. So, all I ate was the cucumbers and brownie. I know I'm going to be hungry again very soon. We should land in Rome in about an hour and a half. We are only stopping to refuel, no one is allowed to get off. I found out by channel surfing, they play the same 5 movies over and over. Again, without titles.
Not only did the lady next to me spill her warm club soda all over her tray when she was pouring from her can to the glass, but she is now leaning over me to watch my TV. She has her own for heaven's sake! She also asked the girl from Virginia Tech sitting on the other side of her to butter rolls and fix her tea with sugar only. All of which is he perfectly capable of completing alone.
I believe I have listened to at least 100 songs on my ipod by now, but only read 30 pages of the one what seems like 400 pounds worth of books in my bookbag. There are loads of children on this flight and they keep running up and down the alises. The second half of the time spent in the air so far, has not been very enjoyable. Sorry for complaining. Miss and love you all!
Over Athens
June 22, 2009
Local Time: 3:18 am
Distance to Addis Ababa: 2285 miles
Outside Temp: -56 F
Altitude: 33,000 feet
We were just served snacks. A small bag of crackers shaped like jet engines. Pretty yummy actually. I've been sleeping on and off since our last meal but I just can't get comfortable if you can imagine. It's times like these that I am so thankful to be small. We stopped in Rome to refuel, but we got a new flight crew, and they are very sassy according to a nearby complainer. I am getting concerned that when we finally land in Malawi, after a plane change in Addis Ababa, that we will be expected to explore and I have a strange feeling that I will just be completely exhausted.
Over Bahir Dar
June 22, 2009
Local Time: 8:05 am
Distance to Travel: 302 Miles
Outside Temp: -60 F
Altitude: 35,000 feet
I can not wait to get off this flight! We have less than an hour before we land. They just served us a breakfast. It was an unknown substance to me, so I ate a little crossiant and pieces of fruit. Everyone is waiting in line for a bathroom to brush their teeth. I think I'll just wait until we unload the plane. All of the announcements are done in whatever language Ethiopians speak so I have no idea what the lady is saying. I am ready to have my own personal space back since it's been invaded for the last 15 hours. It's not even funny.
In flight to Lilongwe
June 22, 2009
Local time: 11:00 am
Day Two
Altitude: 26,000 feet
After unloading the first plane from Rome we ran to the buses that drove us across the tarmack to take us away again. Our first flight was completely full due to the problems from the night before. So it took forever to get everyone off the plane. Also, we arrived about twenty minutes late in Ethiopia, therefore we were in such a rush to make the next flight I couldn't brush my teeth. But thankfully since there were 18 of us, they held the plane. This is flight is not full so I have much more space. It's so nice! I think that for the most of this trip I will be very appreciative of the small things in my life. We were just served lunch which was an odd laganse with cooked carrots. I enjoyed it. However, I was disappointed in the dessert this time. It was a custard/pudding thing with lots of cinnamon. I am sitting with Dr. Roberts, so I've been helping her organize all of the moneys. This is a much smaller plane and I can feel every single bump and could. Good thing this is only about a four hour flight. I've been listening to more music since there is no movie, but I think I will try and sleep some. Oh, and there is no individual TV on this airplane so I can't watch the maps with all the neat information. (Someone in here stinks. Peeeeeeewhew.)
Tuesday, June 23
Here
We're here!!!!!!!! I'm safe... I guess as safe as I can be in Africa! I am in an internet cafe. Paying money for these slow minutes. I will be able to write out the rest of my journaling tomorrow when we reach Annie's Lodge. Just wanted to tell everyone we're here!!!! Miss you all!!!!
<3
<3
Saturday, June 20
In the morning
It's tomorrow!!!!!! It's so close!! We are meeting in the morning at 7 am. For most of those who know me, they know I'm not a morning person, so I'm going to apologize for my grumpiness in advance. =) I am so thankful for ambien tonight because I know I wouldn't sleep at all if I didn't have any out of excitement, and mostly nerves. I'm feeling anxious, excited, nervous, scared, happy and sad... whew, all at the same time. The next time I post I will be in Africa!!! Until then, I'll miss you all. Everyone. Think about me! Pray for all of us!
<3
<3
Thursday, June 18
Almost...
One of the hardest tasks for me on this trip will be tomorrow and all of the goodbyes. I will miss friends and family, and my little dogs of course. If I can get past the tears and sadness of leaving everyone, I will be A-Ok and ready for the trip of a lifetime.
Almost everything is packed, with just a small amount of room left for the donations Ann has collected. Tomorrow I will put the finishing touches on my suitcases with purple and zebra ribbons. So if they find these in the ocean you'll know they belonged to me. =) Just kidding Dad, I'm sure it will be fine.
Any last minute travel details or advice is very much appreciated!
<3
If you would like to see Ann's blog (my trip advisor) her address is: annmaryroberts.wordpress.com
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