Settling In

I feel as though I’ve been here forever and at the same time I feel like I got here just yesterday. I’m slowly learning things but yet have so much more to learn. I’m trying to pick up as much of the Chewa language as I can, but so far my vocabulary consists of saying, How are you, I’m fine, and thank you. It’s been a good week though! On Friday I was able to tag along on a town trip to Blantyre for groceries, and I was able to buy my own groceries using the Malawi Kwacha which is an experience in itself because the highest bill is 1000 Kwacha, which is equivalent to about $2, so to buy groceries you end up having to carry around wads of cash. It was great to see the town again and the scenery on the way was amazing.
When we got back from town and unloaded, I went with two of the guys who also live in the guest house and we walked to the village market around a mile away. I somehow didn’t feel out of place at all but we were definitely the only white people there and we got a lot of stares, but it was fun walking through and seeing all the goods set out. We ended up buying a cold soda and some mangos before heading back. That night for dinner I joined the Hayton’s at the house of one of the other doctors who made fresh Ethiopian food for us and it was wonderful! I have definitely eaten very well since arriving, which I’m thankful for. Since it’s summer here there’s plenty of fruits and other produce to be had.
Well today being Sabbath I got up to go to the 7:30 English church service where most of the college students go. I got there a little early and the music had already started and the seating was almost full already! As with the market, I was the only white person there, and I was ushered to the right side of the church where the females sat. This was the first service I’d been to where the boys and girls sat on opposite sides. When announcements were being made, they asked all the visitors to stand so I had the pleasure of being the only one standing and having everyone look at me. Not my favorite position to be in but it was nice of them to welcome me. After church I got to lounge around a bit which is nice because it is really quite warm out. Supposedly the rain is supposed to get here tomorrow (based on the yearly average) but honestly there isn’t a cloud in the sky so I’m guessing we’ll wait a bit more before we get any rain.
School starts on Monday so tomorrow will mostly be spent doing last minute preparations and lesson plans. Hoping this next week goes well! Oh, we named the ever-crowing rooster Gus and the little lizard that lives behind the Malawi wall hanging in the hallway Benny. Not quite the same as having a cat or dog but it’s something. :)