So Saturday began with breakfast as usual. We had plans to go into town and do some shopping and see some sights. Friday night we all went to bed before 9 because we were all so sleepy from the wedding celebration the night before. I laid in bed a while before I was able to fall asleep. To much racing through my head for some reason. I felt hyper aware of every noise around the huts and I just couldn’t relax. Finally I rolled over and just told myself to calm down and just sleep (I’m sure part of the issue was that I was over tired). As soon as I started trying to “self talk” myself to sleep I heard very soft guitar music coming from Scott’s hut. He must have been sitting outside with his guitar. The sounds were quiet and faint but just relaxing enough to help me to sleep. It was only a few minutes before I was sound asleep. I woke refreshed and ready for the busy day we had planned.
First stop was the shed on the farm where the maze is being shelled. The group (especially Hal) wanted to see how this was done. It is done both by hand and with machine. Most days there are up to 100 women sitting on the floor shelling the maze by hand all while a shelling machine runs on one end of the building. It is pretty incredible to see as we have nothing like it in US. Machines do most of this type if work and we wouldn’t even think if having people use their hands for this type of job. Each woman shells 2 50kg bags and then can be finished for the day. The pay is minimal, but 100 or so women are being employed as opposed to having a machine do all the work. We spent about 30 min seeing the operation,
Time for shopping! I gave the team a quick talk over breakfast about the local craft market. Tried to give some tips for bartering and give people an idea about what they were in for. After arriving at the market I felt a bit like I had failed them. A few of the volunteers seemed very overwhelmed and it was difficult for me to be 5 places at once to help everyone. I did what I could and eventually felt like everyone was settled and ok.  I usually don’t buy much on these trips because I have about every Malawian wood carving you can imagine. I did however see a man with a pair of pants on made from chatinge (women’s traditional skirts) material. I went up and told him I wanted a pair like his. He said if I bought the fabric he could have a pair made for me by the time I left the market. I told Dena what I was up to and she also decided to have a pair made: we both ended up loving our funny pants and they actually fit! We were measured using a piece of string tied in knots…we booth had doubts this method of custom tailoring would work 🙂 it did though and for around $20 total with material we both had new pants! Such fun!
I felt like a break was in order so even though it was before noon I gathered everyone and we walked to a local restaurant. It is outdoor eating and set behind a big gate and surrounded by a fence. A little oasis in the city. We all were so happy to be out of the hustle for a while. Everyone talked about their purchases and laughed about how crazy the vendors can get. We sat for over an hour laughing chatting and eating. We all felt like we could go back for one more round of shopping and I think everyone felt better prepared 🙂
After shopping we stopped at the Hastings Kamuzu Banda memorial so the group could learn a little history of Malawi and see where the first president is laid to rest. Despite our tour guide talking at lightning speed we all enjoyed this stop 🙂 I ended up translating most of what was said not because the guide didn’t speak English but because he spoke so darn fast! I think it’s a talk he has given one to many times 🙂
Our last stop of the day would be back to Adziwa to see if the PumpAid people arrived and were able to get started. We also knew the stove contractor would be continuing to work so we wanted to see what was happening with that also. We had never gone in the bus so when we drove in I don’t think anyone knew it was us. As soon as we got off though a few if the little ones came up and escorted us to the kitchen where the stoves are. We were encouraged to see the team working and major progress being made! In the distance we could also see the PumpAid guys were working on the well!!  Progress 🙂 and maybe before we leave the 2 main projects will be done!
On a side note as I got off the bus one of the children I met 2 years ago was standing there. I had seen her a few days ago and even held her, but I could tell she didn’t remember me. This time when I looked at her I saw the light come on. She reached up and I picked her up…without a word I knew that she knew who I was 🙂 i could see it in her eyes. I held her and walked her with me to see the projects. When I set her down for a minute near the well she wrapped her little arm around my leg. Such a sweet thing. My interaction with her 2 years a go was little heart wrenching and difficult so it was good to see her still there and happy. Her name is Tamwega which I was told means “a child who needs love”. I was glad to have had these moments with her and glad that she finally remembered me. Before we got back in the bus to head for home I asked our “snack superstar” (Shei) if she had any snacks with her. Sure enough she had some cheese crackers . I gave a few to Tamwega and then handed them out to the 3 or 4 other kids standing around. Of course Tamwega got the lions share of the bag, but we did share 🙂 nothing wrong with hanging favorites…right?
I’m laying in bed in Zambia writing this blog. I wanted to get it done so I wouldn’t feel so far behind! Tomorrow (today) ill write about our drive to Zambia, but for now I need to go back to sleep! It’s 2;40am and our wake up call is at 5am. Hopefully I can zip this on the web first thing and then be all caught up!!!
Time is ticking folks….the countdown to home has begun. Still a lot to see and do before that though. We are spending 3 days here and then 2 more back in Malawi before its time for sad goodbyes.