Northern Tour

Tropics grow some tasty fruit thanks to the special fertilizer. The orange berry you see, I ate. They were growing near a stream flowing down the scarp of Nyika Plateau. We visited another married couple near Rumphi who are close to their Close of Service (COS), so we wanted to see them before they left. The temperature was cooler in the higher altitude, a good escape from the heat of Salima. Crops grow better up there, including wheat.

What I Have Learned from a Year as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Malawi

A few weeks ago we celebrated our one year anniversary of living in Malawi. Here are some of the things I have learned (or been reminded of) in the last year:

1. Electricity is overrated.
2. Water is undervalued and overused.
3. To appreciate all the work towards gender equality of the women before me. Yes, there is still a long way to go, but after living in a place where women are second class citizens, I am inspired and appreciative of their efforts, risks and sacrifices.
4. Even the deepest freeze in Minnesota could not prepare me for the hot season in Africa.
5. Although I have used the phrase, "I'm starving" countless times, I will never know what it really means.
6. I have been privileged to have a lot of good teachers in my life.
7. Always wash your hands.
8. Reading is almost always better than TV (Peace Corps Volunteers, An MTV Generation making up for lost time).
9. Transportation is easy in America, even with rising fuel prices.
10. Fresh and homemade is always better than processed.
11. Chocolate, ice cream, sushi and red wine are all worth missing, but not as much as friends and family.
12. My comforts are usually at somebody else's expense.
13. A lot of things can be eaten as food that we don't consider food in America.
14. Knowledge is power- it is meant to be shared.
15. Nothing beats real mail from home.
16. It is difficult to be the minority, even if it is the privileged minority.
17. HIV/AIDS. Not sure what to say about it, but I thought it should put it on the list. It is still too overwhelming to wrap my brain around.
18. Being able to wear jeans and a sweatshirt should not be taken for granted.
19. Breastfeeding is normal and should not have to be hidden.
20. Always wear sunscreen.
21. It really does make more sense to carry things on your head. It even has its own verb in Chichewa- kusenza.

How to Beat the Heat in Malawi

As we have mentioned in previous blogs, we are in the midst of the hot season. This week it reached 101.3 degrees inside our house. Yes, the .3 degrees makes a difference. We now watch the digital thermometer like it is a TV and take bets on when it will go up or down. We are afraid to put the thermometer in the direct sun to check the outside temp, but a few weeks ago I conducted a “highly scientific experiment”. I put the sensor of the thermometer outside in the sun buried under some leaves. The temperature read 118 degrees. I suspect it is higher now.
Here is how we cope:

1. Wake up at 4:30 or earlier if you want to get anything done that requires moving your body.
2. Drink an insane amount of water. Put lots of sugar and salt on your food. We crave salt all the time.
3. Wear the least amount of clothing acceptable for the culture. (picture of Brian)
4. Frequently dump water on your head. (picture of Kristy)
5. From 10:30AM to 3:00PM do absolutely nothing. (picture of Moto)
6. Complain to each other.
7. Pant a lot if you are a dog. (picture of Baxter)
8. Take a bucket bath right before bed and don’t towel dry.
9. Sleep in your birthday suit and a wet bandana around your neck…not in a provocative way, just for survival.
10. Wake up at least once, if not twice, to bathe again.

Baby Goats

While goats are no longer amusing to us, and are actually quite annoying, I couldn't resist these kids. Too cute. I also thought our animal-loving neice, Annika would love them.

Why not sing while knitting?

Seriously, if this doesn't make you want to send yarn, what does? Aren't they sweet?

Brian's Guitar

Brian got creative with his teaching the other week. He played his guitar for his students. He played Redemption Song by Bob Marley. He wrote all the lyrics on the board but left out some words for the students to figure out (that is why he is emphasizing certain words on the video). Not surprisingly, the kids loved it. They were really excited when they figured out all the words and were begging him to play more. Did I mention I love this guy?


Here they are writing what they thought the missing words were.

Just Some Beautiful Things...

I took these pictures a while back and haven't had a chance to upload them.