Malawi: First Impressions

"What is your first impression of Malawi?" They've asked me.

Allow me to be quite honest.

Malawi doesn't exactly put the best foot forward.

It's a rather inconvenient place to live.

I knew there was the possibility of power and water outages. I failed to consider how often they might occur or that not having power or water would mean not having power. Or water. Not being able to clean my sweaty, dirty self. Not being able to put a fan on my heat rash-covered baby. Not being able to cook dinner for friends that were coming to share a meal.

Drying during the rainy season is a multi-day process

I knew many of the roads were dirt. I didn't consider that no pavement would mean  ditches to fall into and mud to get stuck in.

I knew we'd have to sleep under mosquito nets. I didn't realize how troublesome it would be to fight my way out of a mosquito net, under another mosquito net, and back into the first mosquito net multiple times each night in order to calm and/or feed a crying baby.

On the other hand, mosquito nets keep the Peanut entertained

I knew there was no trash removal service. I was still surprised by the trash piles in the streets tainting the gorgeous scenery.

Some other inconveniences: Fresh foods ought to be washed carefully in bleach water before unseasoned travelers eat them. All the rain gets saved up and dumped during 3 months out of the year. Sports games (in the States) don't start until midnight (here). Fuel is upwards of $5 per gallon. Grass is cut by swatting at it with a sword.

The creepy crawlies are creepier and crawlier

Some things are more convenient: Fresh foods for sale are brought to your car when you're in town and even to your front door on occasion. The guard/watchman opens and closes the gate for you on arrival and departure. A house worker does the laundry, dishes, sweeping, mopping, bathroom scrubbing, bed making, food prep, and whatever else you'd like to have done all for the low price of $8/day.

During the first few days, I was surprised and a little disappointed at how annoyed I got at some of the inconveniences.

But it got better.

A bucket of water in the tub for emergency flushing and washing cured my concern of becoming too stinky to live with myself. 

Dinner (even if cold leftovers) and games by candle light is a recipe for an enchanted evening.

Husband and some friendly locals don't seem to mind multiple opportunities to show off their muscles by pushing the van out of the mud.

Bike taxis are an exciting alternative to using expensive fuel for a short trip around town.

Yes, much of life here is inconvenient and takes 4 times as long as it does back home. But there's something refreshing about working hard and living simply.

Malawians seem generally friendly and polite. At least to white people. If they're not waving at you, they're smiling. I can't speak their language but my Father in Law can and they're usually both laughing the whole way through the conversation. Maybe he's funnier in Chiyawo. Maybe it's funny to hear white people speak the language. Maybe Malawians are just happy and friendly. Despite all their toil. Or because if it.

It's an interesting place with people from all over the world. And everyday I like it a little bit more.