We're going to Malawi in 10 days and we could not be more excited. I take that back. We might possibly be a tad more excited if the plane ride were only 8 hours instead of 18. Maybe. But I've been waiting to visit this country for 3 years now. At this point, I really don't care how long the plane ride is. As long as it's not 3 years long. Plus this guy makes a really good point regarding our attitudes about flying (starting at 2:38).
So the day of the big trip will start with a relaxed and leisurely morning. We'll leave for the airport around noon. Noon Malawi time, that is. I thought it would be a good idea to start adjusting to the time change now - cut down on jet lag and whatnot. But for some reason, my family wasn't keen on the idea of having Christmas dinner at 6am. So that got nixed...
Preparations for this trip have been extensive and mostly include interviewing the pros. And by interviewing, I mean pestering with stupid questions.
Thankfully, I'm mostly just excited at this point. Make no mistake, I was definitely more stressed than excited for a while there. It didn't seem possible to anticipate everything the baby would need in an environment I knew nothing about. But after I remembered to add her fingernail trimmers to the packing list, I figured I'd pretty much thought of everything. And since babies do live in Malawi, as Husband so snarkily pointed out, I'm pretty sure she'll survive even if we forget a thing or two.
When I made my first packing list for this trip (back in September - I can't procrastinate to save my life) I was hoping to do it minimalist style and take as little as possible - one backpack each (read about it here). I quickly realized that 5 diapers a day x 21 days = too many diapers for one backpack.
And Husband was quick to inform me that it is proper African-traveling etiquette to bring as much stuff as possible for all the siblings of the cousins of the friends and family we know living anywhere on the continent. So we've begun operating our own post office out of our house. Or at least that's what we tell our confused and concerned neighbors who keep bringing us packages that were delivered to their door instead of ours.
Top five things I'm excited for:
5. Getting out of the U.S.
4. Adding another continent to my passport. This will be #4.
3. Warm.
2. Finally seeing where Steven grew up.
1. Introducing Mom and Dad Miller (and Sara!) to our Peanut.
So the day of the big trip will start with a relaxed and leisurely morning. We'll leave for the airport around noon. Noon Malawi time, that is. I thought it would be a good idea to start adjusting to the time change now - cut down on jet lag and whatnot. But for some reason, my family wasn't keen on the idea of having Christmas dinner at 6am. So that got nixed...
Preparations for this trip have been extensive and mostly include interviewing the pros. And by interviewing, I mean pestering with stupid questions.
Rachel: Wait. Do you have a washing machine in Malawi?So thanks to the many of you who have answered my questions, investigated prices multiple stores, given suggestions and tips from personal experience, donated the use of your baby paraphernalia, etc. etc. I would be more stressed than excited for this trip if it weren't for all your help.
Steven: No, we scrub our clothes in the lake. YES we have a washing machine.
Rachel: Is there also hot water? I can take a hot shower whenever I want?
Steven: Yes. Except for when it doesn't work.
Rachel: Are there disposable diapers or should we bring our own? baby food? baby wash? free & clear detergent?
Steven: Babies do live in Malawi, you know.
Thankfully, I'm mostly just excited at this point. Make no mistake, I was definitely more stressed than excited for a while there. It didn't seem possible to anticipate everything the baby would need in an environment I knew nothing about. But after I remembered to add her fingernail trimmers to the packing list, I figured I'd pretty much thought of everything. And since babies do live in Malawi, as Husband so snarkily pointed out, I'm pretty sure she'll survive even if we forget a thing or two.
When I made my first packing list for this trip (back in September - I can't procrastinate to save my life) I was hoping to do it minimalist style and take as little as possible - one backpack each (read about it here). I quickly realized that 5 diapers a day x 21 days = too many diapers for one backpack.
And Husband was quick to inform me that it is proper African-traveling etiquette to bring as much stuff as possible for all the siblings of the cousins of the friends and family we know living anywhere on the continent. So we've begun operating our own post office out of our house. Or at least that's what we tell our confused and concerned neighbors who keep bringing us packages that were delivered to their door instead of ours.
Top five things I'm excited for:
5. Getting out of the U.S.
4. Adding another continent to my passport. This will be #4.
3. Warm.
2. Finally seeing where Steven grew up.
1. Introducing Mom and Dad Miller (and Sara!) to our Peanut.
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| and of course, scenes like this (i stole this from Husband's Facebook album) |
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