Trainees

I had it in my head that I was going to build up a hearty little collection of pictures for those concerned but what I didn't anticipate was my battery dieing. That being said, these two pictures were the only one's I got. Its better than nothing right? Also, the new trainees head down to site visit tomorrow so, with any luck they should be able to access the internet. Also, as you maybe know, they have their phones. So there's that. Anyway, this weekend I'm going down to Blantyre to help guide their little souls as an act of orienting them to the wonder that is the Southern Region of Malawi so I should have pictures of people being sent to the South.

I just can't get enough

Today is the last day of homestay for the new trainees. That means today is the village fairwell celebration then tomorrow the move out and the day after that, they're headed to sitevisits. I'm going down to Dedza today (since my work load has failed to increase, let alone exist) to watch the festivities (complete with the Guli Wankhulu...the seceret dancing society of Malawi). Look for pictures later today or tomorrow (probably tomorrow).

Chuck update

So I'm back in Lilongwe after a nice week at my sitemate, Bri's house and a great weekend in Blantyre. Last Monday I was allowed to go into my village to get some things from my house after being out of site for a month. The country director met with my chief and old counterpart, said the meeting went well but that I should keep my fingers crossed because he really doesn't see it doing anything. Anyway, there is supposed to be sometime in the near future or recent past a conference call to the main office to suggest they overturn their decision but I've been informed that its extremely unlikely and I should prepare for the worst, which I have been. After the meeting in my village, I headed over to Bri's house where I stayed all week. We spent most of our time sitting on a make-shift futon (a mattress that we bent between the wall and the floor, reading and watching movies on our various laptops. I went with her to some meetings, we made a mud stove for her peanut butter-making group, and walked around hanging out with different people in her village who complain that I'm never around. It was a really great time. I'm glad I did it. After a few days in Bri's village, the two of us headed into Blantyre. A mutual

friends parents are in country so we sort of spent the weekend helping show them around. It was a really good time. On Saturday, said friend and parents headed up to Lilongwe after a quick detour to see a cultural center just of the coast of the lake. I tagged along for the free ride....and free bananas. Saturday evening we got into Lilongwe where I have been ever since catching up with friends who I haven't seen in a while and trying not to blow all my money on food (I bought bread and peanut butter yesterday). I guess that pretty much catches you all up on what's been happening with me. I know there are a lot of people waiting to hear what the decision concerning me and my site will be. Prepare for the worst but I will update when I find anything out.

In the mean time, here are pictures of Chuck from when I stopped by my house. She was so excited to see me that she peed on my foot. My cousin Jenni said that it was payback for me accidentally peeing on her head.

Oh how the world works in circles.

Pictures of the Trainees!

So, every Thursday, the trainees take a break from village life in class and with their homestay families to go to the college of forestry. Its everyones favorite day because not only are they re-united weekly with their entire group (instead of broken up into four homestay villages) but they get a break from the usual schedule. They meet with he medical staff, get more shots, administrative staff, and do anything necesary to do with the entire group.

This is all the pictures I have, so I hope I got everyone!


Elizabeth is from Seattle! West Coast (Pacific Northwest-more specifically) love! Mary likes bugs.

This is Trason (trainee) talking to Lauren (PCV) outside of the dining hall at the college of forestry.

Hanging out after snack. Behind them is one of the two dorms they stayed in their first week in country.

Justin-PCV of the week and one of my sitemates.

Right after lunch. Don't worry, they're eating well.

Lots of eating pictures here.

Sorry its blurry, they were just so excited to say hi to America.

Hungry trainees.
Sitting in class, learning about cultural excepctatons and gender rolls. I guess I distracted half of them when I took this picture.

Music Videos!

Ok, Since I've found myself in Lilongwe for a semi-long period of time with endless access to free internet, I've decided I am going to share with you some of my favorite Malawian songs/videos. These are songs I hear anytime I go go ANYWHERE. I love them. Ok,so they're not neccesarily Malawian but Malawian's LOVE them.

"Bwanzi Langa" by Kapirintiya
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2l4pDHOHyo&NR=1

"Mphete" or "Tuphe Lonse" by Dan Lufani (this is my favorite but I can't find the video)

"Dalo" by The Black Missionaries (sorry the videos bad and partial)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee4hB9vg3PM


"Beautiful Girls" by Sean Kingston (I think this guy's South African)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrTz5xjmso4

There are more but I'll save those for when there are no other people trying to use the internet.

Note on the new trainees: They're doinggreat and loving Malawi. When I was at their training for a week I offered to translate anything they needed me to to their hostfamilies....it was mostly to tell their host parents that they're really happy. They're adjusting to the culture well, learning the language quickly, and enjoying themselves and each other. If you are friends or related to any of the new trainees, you should be proud, they're great. I have pictures and I will post them...they're just stuck on my camera until I can remove them. No one seems to have the right size camera cord. You will see them this week, though. Don't worry. If you have anyone in particular you want a story about (especially environment volunteers), give me their name (I check comments) and I can tell you, more specifically how they're doing! I'm happy to help! I know its stressful not knowing how your loved ones are for 2 months. Stick in there!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrTz5xjmso4

Off to See the New Trainees We Go

I just purchased toilet paper. What's left? Go to Dedza (for which transport leaves sometime in the next sometime) and gently guide and nurture the new trainees into an existance that will define the most spectacular experience of their lives. I bought soap too.

I'll be in Dedza Sunday till Sunday. That means no internet, and no updates until next Sunday. I'll try to take pictures of the trainees in my village for anyone who might be hoping to see proof of their existance from back home.

zifoto

My neighbor lady getting water. This was not posed, she was just excited that I was taking her picture. She was actually trying to not smile (typical here).This is one of the bicycle taxi guys who takes me for free sometimes. This is him posing...he then giggle like a little girl when I showed him this picture.
This is spoon mixing some nice mud so we can make her a mud oven. She bakes flour rolls and sells them making a fraction of a penny per each one. That business is her only source of income. She's also the chairwoman of the Village Development Committee and the coolest woman in my village.
This is my dear from Esme, half of her brother, Andrew, and Prang-Mantis (sp?) Sorry its blurry, I was scared to get closer. They bight, you know.
This is Chuck showing the world that she is a terror.

Because the internet is fast (relativity speaking) right now.

Enjoy!