101 Days of Malawi Countdown

As of today, we've actually been here 103 days, I believe. But 101 sounds so much better. So it's time for another countdown. This one is entitled

Things I've seen (at least) 101 of in the past 101 days

1. Ants. Yep. You knew it had to be on the top of the list. But for real...I see at least 101 EVERY day, I think. At this point, we only kill them sometimes. And we only get them out of our food/drink sometimes. I'm told that this means we're moving up in the missionary rankings. Yep, there's rankings. You wish you were that cool.

2. Bicycles Carrying Really Weird Things. Chickens, a goat, 8 bags of groceries, 15 watermelons, 10 8-foot long poles, kittens, 3 other human beings, a bed frame, or any of several other sorts of unidentifiable bundles. Bicycles here are as common as vehicles on the streets, and they carry all the same things a pickup truck would back home. These men must have leg muscles of steel! I don't know how they do it! And it's not as if the roads or the sides of the roads are smooth! This amazes me. I'll have to get some pictures of this to prove it.

3. Bananas. We really like bananas. And there are tons of them here. On every street corner someone's selling bananas! That's convenient. 

4. Coke (and fanta). I refuse to capitalize fanta. It is an inferior beverage. But Coke is abundant here! Well, it usually is, anyway. Lately there's been a Coke shortage, along with everything else. But we still manage to find it pretty often. It's the popular soft drink here, and we are very grateful for this. It's found here most often in a glass bottle, and it's made with real sugar, so it's delicious! We did find a place down the street that sells it in cans, which is a special treat we reserve for desperate occasions. 

5. Lizards! There are all kinds of lizards here. Really cool ones! Some are just lil tiny guys that kinda blend in- we have them at home too. They're all over the dorms. I like those guys. They catch mosquitos and are just kinda cute. Especially the lil baby ones. Then there are some dark colored ones that are a little bigger and they're kinda annoying. Then there's the big ol guys that are grey and rough-looking, and they have super bright blue heads! It's so awesome!! When was the last time you saw any animal that was bright blue? I'm talking cerulean, here. And there are birds that color too. It might be my new favorite color. But I digress...Lizards! They're everywhere!

6. Flowers. Man, the flowers here are gorgeous! The trees are beautiful, and they all have bright pretty flowers! (Well, except for those annoying trees that have those big nasty green ball things that fall out on our house and squish under our feet and smell yucky. I've seen about a million and one of those.) We go around campus and collect flowers for bouquets all the time. They're just really nice. Once again, I'll have to post pictures to adequately demonstrate this. But believe me- Malawi's probably the most beautiful place I've ever been, and that's in part due to the pretty flowers everywhere. Can't wait til rainy season enhances that!

7. New Release Cassette Tapes. Okay, I have to admit, Aly was the one who actually saw this. I was absent on this occasion. However, I just want you to enjoy that. This isn't old 80s music on cassette tapes. This is the latest stuff to come out. I don't care who you are- that's impressive.

8. Jerrycans (and cars) in Fuel Lines. I've never seen so many jerrycans (or various other random plastic containers used to contain petrol) in my life! Every fuel line here has dozens and dozens of jerrycans at the front and dozens and dozens of cars lined up in every direction. It's really quite a sight to see. I wish you could all experience this and understand the desperation and resignation of the people here. A Malawian friend of mine recently said Lilongwe won't know how to have a social life anymore if the petrol queues are no longer necessary. Fuel lines are where you go to hang out! I sat in my first petrol queue last Sunday morning at 5 AM. It's an experience you all need. I know gas is expensive in the states, but...I don't think I'll be complaining about that when I return home. Over $8 a gallon and lines for hours just to get a few liters if you're lucky. And countless people are robbed while waiting in line. It's tough, folks. Count your blessings.

9. Stares. Apparently it's not impolite to stare in Malawi. And, I don't mean to startle you, but people in Malawi are mostly black. It's beautiful.  But see, in case you didn't realize...I'm white. (It's okay, sometimes I forget that too.) Very white. I practically glow in the dark. Oh, the stares! But I will say, as many stares as I've seen, there have been even more

10. Smiles. The people here are so friendly!  They smile at you and shout out "Muli bwanji!" or "Hallo!" from across the road, out the window, next door, wherever. It's incredible. It feels like the good ol South of the USA! Everyone's got a smile, a handshake, and a greeting for you, even if you are the awkward minority who stumbles over even the simplest response in Chichewa that you've been practicing for months. This is a special place, and I feel so blessed to be a part of it! Thanks to all of you reading for helping make this possible for me.