I'm in another slow internet shop. Dial up was never this slow at home. I'm learning a lot about Malawi things take a long time, the intention is good but things just don't happen when they should. They love paper work, in triplicate if possible, and lots of lengthy procedures for simple tasks.
My house was not ready for me so they arranged temporary accommodation but it wasn't ready for me so I had to stay with another volunteer. I moved into my temporary house yesterday. It has two rooms, kitchen, loo and bath. I spent a day cleaning it and it looks OK now. For the first time since arriving I have been able to unpack and put my cards and photos up. I've had 2 visitors the priest and a rat. The monkeys make a hell of a noise on the roof and the goats crap in the garden apart from that its OK. It will be 2-3 months before I get into my house for the rest of my placement. I can't get a phone put in until I'm there so my access to the internet is limited.
Everyone around has been very welcoming. The locals, particularly the children, stare all the time. It took me a while to realise its because I'm white. I sometimes entertain them by trying to speak Chichewa.
I'm in Zomba to go to the market. Its about 20 miles from where I live. The local transport is particularly dodgy. Its all mini buses the size of a transit van if your lucky they squeeze in 15 people including the driver. Sometimes the windows are missing. They stop for fuel at garages when they have collected enough money or if they get stuck the buy it in old cooking oil bottles from the side of the road. As well as 15 people they carry livestock, crates of empty bottles, anything dangerous goes.
I'm having to get used to BO and other offensive odours. The people here are so poor deodorant and soap are the last things on there shopping lists.
Starting 4 weeks orientation next week to register with the NMC here. It took lots of paperwork to arrange it.
I've not been able to answer any email on the shorty address but will try next week.
Thanks for all your comments it was really good to read them.
7 comments:
Just think of all the great vegetables you can grow with all that manure. Good to see you are in your own place, albeit temporarily. Your journey to the market sounds just like my friend's in Sri Lanka- is it for food or general and what did you buy??? What is the main employment locally ? We are looking forward greatly to your updates/ thoughts. We had a completely unique holiday in Italy this time. The accomm was like a film set 50/60 years ago but the hospitality was incredible. The father is a prof of philosophy and his wife drove us around for a couple of days- she likes to drive with her hands off the wheel a lot when talking, even on mountain roads!Lovely people. We walked out in the country one day and saw accomm with about 40 buffale for the cheese, 2 ostriches and 2 field cannons last war so might try that next time!
Is there anything we can send you to make use of over there?
Have spoken to John for news between times. Take care and just bite the mozzies back.
Love Helen xxx
Sounds exciting Carol - but it seems doesn't matter where you are there is red tape and paperwork - just like using a buying order really!
Your experiences would make a good book though - just have to think of a title....beasts, priests and transit vans!
Take care. elaine d xx
Hello Carol, Good to see you are settling in even though not your permanent Malawi home. Sounds very different!! Take care Lesley E
Hiya carol
howz u
sounds soooo fun
can i come n visit AWWWW mum say no but anyway can i still come.???? please!!!!!!!
miss u
well i don't know u that well but anyway i still miss u
sara ...X
Hi Carol, i had typed you a big email until i realised i couldn't post it without an account...typical! Anyway i am sure you are getting on ok though you are in temporary accommodation. I hope you are able to keep in touch with the other volunteers as well for comfort and companionship. Best wishes and hope things continue to go well, its more exciting than any book or for that matter NHS Paper i have read lately thats for sure!! Not hard perhaps?
Love Dianne x x
Hi Carol, got your letter many thanks! Have sent you a wee reply to give you a quick update! It all sounds amazing though I'm not sure I could cope.... I'd want to take all the babies and children home with me! Could you imagine Mike's face (and language!) xxxx Lesley
Hi,
Good to hear your news, I gave the golf ladies a wee update on your travels. Liz and I played in a tournament, lovely evening despite and awful weather forecast, shame about the golf, but we enjoyed ourselves. Next week we are down for 18 holes, should have done it this week as it was the longest day. Another week over and I was in carnegie talking to Cardiac Anne
and reminding her Tessa's start date and name! I have sorted out the desks in there as there seemed to be some confusion. Anne has now spread her clutter over onto the desk next to yours. I loved the bit about your visitors especially the man of the cloth, I would have freaked about the rat running around, time you got a cat. Make sure it is a domestic cat not a baby lion or tiger. I hope you are getting to grips with the culture etc and that the children have stopped staring at you, no doubt your command of the language will have them impressed. teach them a few wee Scottish songs like You canny shove yer granny etc. Must go and have a wee cocktail as it is Friday evening hope yuo haven't drunk all yours already. Take care
and it is great to hear your stories, will keep trying the shorty address. love Rhona
It sounds like your having a great tym over there!!I hope your enjoying it!!
I bet your missing all the different types of shoes !!I saw a pair of Leapord skin high heel boots the other day which made me think of you!LOL(laugh , out , loud)
I cant wait until i go sumwhere hot and sunny !the weather is really depressing here!!
I will send you a postcard from Majorca!and maybe some pictures of whats happening over here!
Missing you loads!!
Lots of Love
Rhiannon
x o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o
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