Riding on the mini bus in Malawi always causes me a mixed bag of emotions.  I feel anxiety because of my lack of ability to communicate with the driver and conductor and because of my concern about actually safely climbing off the bus with some dignity.  I feel fear as a result of the state of disrepair most of the buses are in.  I feel excitement and curiosity because I know it will not be a boring ride.  My Chichewa is very limited.  I know “mzungu” and “chizungu” meaning white person and white language.  Inevitably. my appearance on a mini-bus elicits talk which always includes these words but I never know what they are saying.

Mini-buses in Malawi are big business.  The more people that can fit on, the more money is made.  People will carry anything with them.  It is not uncommon to see live chickens, huge baskets of produce, bags of maize and luggage stuffed under and around seats.

On my second last day in Malawi I traveled to Salima to collect the xylophone my friend Philip had made for me.  After a lovely inspiring lunch we went to the market where I hoped to buy a chitenge (fabric) to take back with me.  Finding a lovely chitenge I headed to my bus.

The bus was a “good” one.  It had an aisle down the centre with one seat on the left and two on the right.  The aisle is a bit deceiving though because a seat can fold down into the aisle.  I sat in the third row from the back on the fold down seat.  This meant that there were four of us sitting abreast with no walking space for those behind us to pass.  When all fo the rows were filled in this manner we started off.  Under my feet was a bag of maize and a suitcase.

As we all paid the conductor I realized that someone behind me would need to get off before I did.  My anxiety immediately kicked in.  How would I stand atop this maize and suitcase while holding my purse and my newly acquired xylophone which was tightly secured in a plastic bag?  I hate this part of the mini-bus ride.  The worry of getting off or of moving to allow others to do so.  It’s not as simple as just standing to let someone pass.  It’s not simple at all.  There is balancing and coordination required that I absolutely do not possess.

Fortunately the man behind me was not laden with livestock and produce so he was able to just climb between those of us seated ahead of him.  Noting that he had vacated a coveted window seat I decided to move. Placing my purse on the seat I stood to climb back to my new spot.  Upon lifting my bag my xylopone pieces began to slide out.  The side of the bag was ripped wide  open.  Once reseated I gathered my wood pieces and attempted to secure them in a now defunct bag.  I was unsuccessful so I just squeezed the pieces between my knees and acted as if everything was fine.

Again my anxiety kicked in.  How would I get off the bus with my purse and a load of sticks knowing that getting off would require me to climb over many items.  Remembering my chitenge I decided to make a sack. Squeezing the sticks I tried to unfold the fabric on my lap.  As I was working with limited space I couldn’t unfold the fabric too much but did manage, after several attempts,  to gather all the sticks and tie them in a bundle.  The sticks were still not totally secured but at least they were all together.

After about thirty minutes as we approached the city I began ot worry that my bundle wouldn’t hold.  I thought that perhaps I’d be able to get off the bus by tucking my load under one arm.  I planned to try to make a better sack once I found some space in the depot.  I worried that the bundle would not stay under my arm and sticks would drop all over the bus as I disembarked.  I worried that someone would steal my purse if I spread my fabric out and worked on a sack in the depot.  I worried about being laughed at.

All this worry prompted me to try to make a better sack.  Noting my distress a kind man ahead of me offered to help.  He had the luxury of an empty seat beside him and being Malawian, he didn’t have to worry about everyone on the bus talking about and judging him.  He skilfully created a secure sack for my precious instrument and gave it back to me.  I was so grateful for his assistance that I was almost giddy.  He showed me that Malawians generally are kind people

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I’ve been home for over a week now.  It has been a relatively easy adjustment with a few minor issues.  On the day I was leaving Malawi I woke up with stomach issues, a sore throat and a head ache.  I attributed these feelings to the stress of leaving.  The symptoms persists for the whole trip home and are still present so, I’m guess it is not related to stress.  I didn’t really mind being unwell on the long journey home.  I slept on all three flights which of course made the time pass more quickly.

My very happy parents picked me up at the airport.  My dad easily broke the padlocks whose keys had been stolen, we brought all of my stored belongings into the condo and we went to get groceries.  I spent 3 hours unpacking before I finally decided that I was sufficiently tired to sleep.

After a nice long, warm shower in which I discovered I smelled of campfire smoke, I went to my comfortable bed.  The following morning I woke up before 4, made tea and finished my unpacking.  I had to go buy a few forgotten items and the apartment needed a good cleaning.

Still sick, I spent the following day resting.  Finally, I went to see a Doctor who tells me I have a virus.  He says this only because the tests don’t reveal any infection or parasite.  So, I’m forced to suffer a virus like none ever before.  My throat continues to feel as if there is a sharp ball of glass hanging in it,  My stomach is always nervous when I put food into it but I feel hungry.

In the mean time, I’ve managed to replace some of the stolen items, most importantly my Mac Book Air.  There wasn’t quite the same excitement this time as there was last time when I brought it home but I am grateful to have it.  I replaced a few other items too but still need a few things.

I’ve wired money to Itatu so that the girls can start school with new shoes, uniforms and mosquito nets.

I’ve gone into my classroom a few times and feel very overwhelmed at the idea that that will be my new home in less than a week.

I forgot how to use the dishwasher and couldn’t figure out why the dishes weren’t getting clean.  As it turns out, you must take the soap pods out of the packaging in order for them to work.  In Malawi, my dishwashwer was Azikiwe’s daughter!!

All in all it’s good to be home in my comfortable condo with my “soft” life.  I do miss Malawi but am glad to be sick here and not there.  I want to thank all of you who offered me support while I was in Malawi this year.  The trip didn’t look promising in the beginning but I am so glad to have gone.  I learned a lot and saw so much beauty.  Thank you all for helping me along my path.

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Well, it`s time to go home again. This has been a wonderful trip filled with beauty and wonder.  I didn`t see my girls as much as I would have liked but they are now shy around me and I find it awkward trying to communicate with them.  I am pleased to see that they have grown into healthy young ladies and I hope that they continue to thrive under the care of Kelita and Alice.

I have seen more of Malawi than I ever thought I`d see.  I have had breakfast with elephants and I`ve awakened to the sun rising over the lake.  I have grown closer to Azikiwe and have rekindled a few old friendships.  I feel truly lucky to have come to this place and look forward to returning in the future to learn and experience more.

Thank you to all who have offered support during some of my more challging times this summer.  Knowing that you all believe in what I am doing has made things much easier on me.  Your words and support are appreciated, as always.

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