Malawi 2018

Well guys, I know this sounds 100% cliche...but honestly words can't express how my last week went! I can saw it was incredible, awesome, amazing, and majestic....but it still doesn't capture it all. This last week we traveled to the Maasai Mara for our first safari! Like I said, words can't capture everything. The pictures can't even capture it all! Being out in the plains, in the Savannah, by the river, wherever we were...the feeling can't be captured. All I know is that, yes, I did cry a couple of times, okay?! We had a three day adventure and man it was quite the adventure! The first day was probably the most exciting. We got to see all of the major safari animals (lion, zebra, elephant, giraffes) and then some. The coolest thing was that our van saw a black rhino. In reality, it more of looked like a black blob that was a rhino shape, but through binoculars it was definitely a rhino. Black rhinos are super rare to see, only 12 in the entire park! They like ...

This week we went on another excursion, this time to Cape MaClear at Lake Malawi. Oh man, it was so beautiful, I swear it was paradise. I’ve never seen a better lake in my life! The water was super clear, the beach felt like a real beach…it was really great.While there, I got to go snorkeling for the first time ever! It was so fun. The fish were so beautiful and very vibrant. There were yellow fish, electric blue fish, stripped fish….so many different kinds of fish! I feel like I am constantly amazed at the beauty that is found not only in this country, but also in the world (yeah, that’s cliché but it’s true!). I had a rough time figuring out how to breathe through the tube, but after a while I got the hang of it all and had an incredible time. Another awesome thing while we were there—we found REAL ice cream!! So, the normal ice cream here is pretty funky. It’s got a marshmallow-y taste and texture, and isn’t as cold as real ice cream. Plus, I’m lactose intolerant and w...

This week I truly learned the meaning of “mourning with those who mourn, and comforting those who stand in need of comfort”. We found out last night that one of our translators and cooks passed away while at the hospital. It has been a hard experience for us all. Because we found out late at night, the cooks stayed over at our hostel. When we got back to the hostel, it was obvious that they had been crying. I didn’t want to be culturally offensive (because touch isn’t a big thing here), but my heart swelled and I had to give the one closest to me a hug. She folded into my arms and began sobbing. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced something so heartbreaking as to hear the sobs of someone who lost a dear friend. I decided that rather than making this post about the fun trip that we went on the beginning of this week, I would give this post to Joyce. Joyce was one of the purest people I’ve met, and I’m not exaggerating. She always had a smile and loved talking to us interns. She an...

The top of the summit! Literally in the clouds I looked fear in the face this week and then conquered it....and honestly I couldn't be more proud of myself! This week we had our first excursion, which was climbing Mount Mulanje and summit Sapitwa Peak. In case you all were wondering in Chechewa Sapitwa means "Do Not Go There", and yes we went there! Sapitwa Peak is the highest peak bin Southern tropical Africa and the 3rd tallest peak in all of Africa. This experience was probably the hardest thing that I've done that tested me both physically, mentally, and emotionally. However, now I feel like I can do anything!  So, the hike was a 3 day hike and we did 12 miles the first day, 15 miles the second, and 8 miles the last day. And these miles weren't just casual walking miles. On the first day, we went up equivalent of 500 flights of stairs, and that was just day one. There were also points where we had to rock climb freely (ie, without any rope), and it trul...

It's avocado season here in Malawi! And yes, it really is bigger than my hand What an incredible week this week. So many emotions going through me right now as I sit and write about the last few days! This week I really delved into my research projects, and more specifically my family planning project.  For that project, I am partnering with another intern and asking questions on gender roles. OH MY GOODNESS. The women here are so strong.  You wanna talk about power women? Every day, common, Malawian mothers. That is where the power women are found. Also, another cool thing about my research is that it is so much more positive than I was expecting! To go along with that, we read an article for one of my classes and it was so good! It’s pretty short so I recommend reading it. It’s called “What Bono Doesn’t Say About Africa”. Please go read it if you have the time!! . It’s very enlightening about the way we as a society view most of Africa. Here’s the link for ya! Fou...

Muli Bwanje!! That’s the most common greeting here in Malawi. Azungo means white person, and is the word I’ve heard the most this past week. It’s what all the kids and most adults will call us when trying to address us and get our attention. Our first day here, there were a bunch of children at recess and they all started to chant at us while we were across the street “Azungo, azungo, azungo” until we looked and waved at them. And that’s how it’s been pretty much every day since.   The kids are insane. No exaggeration. And yet they still have my heart <3 Right now it’s harvest time here in Malawi, and so everything has their crop drying out in the sun in front of their houses and nobody takes anything from anyone. I’ve never felt unsafe at all, and it’s so cool!. Honestly, the kids are the ones you have to keep your eye on haha. They ask you every time you see them is they can have you water bottle because they can sell them/trade them for money. I was walking with m...

GUYS. I LEAVE IN 2 DAYS. I am so pumped!! I have spent the last few days buying everything I need and staring at pictures of the places I'll be going :) Seriously, the next 48ish hours cannot go fast enough!! The biggest hurdle now: The plane flight (bleh!!). The total time it will take me to get to Malawi is 1 day, 35 minutes. If anybody has any tips on fighting boredom and jet lag--I'd gladly take them!!! This last week I learned that immunizations and finals don't mix well! Last Monday I got the yellow fever shot, and then tried to take 3 finals back to back afterwards. After giving me my shot, they told me I might experience a drop in blood sugar in about an hour or so. I went on my way and went to take my first final. A little ways in, I started feeling a bit funny but pushed on. I stood up to turn in my final and everything went black! Luckily, I didn't fully pass out, but quickly rushed over to get food and then justified myself into eating a few too many coo...