Wednesday July 15^th, 2009

This is my last day to hear the morning sounds that have become so familiar. The gardeners are sweeping the black top in that rhythmic tempo. I can faintly hear Pat’s TV in the next room. Morning prayers have been sung at the Mosque. The rooster never forgets his job. My bags are at the door. All the bits that made this room my home for several weeks have now been packed away for the long trip home. There is a pile of items under the television waiting for Tennyson’s inspection and I am sure he will be happy with his haul.

Down by the area where we are to load the bus are dozens of suitcases packed to the brim with memories of Africa. Drums, chiefs’ chairs, staffs, and other items too big for suitcases are piled next to back packs and carryon luggage. I can’t imagine how all this and 18 people will fit on our bus. The men started to work handing bags through the windows and the women looked on… It reminded me of when my father would start to pack and Mom would look on silently rearranging the items in my car.

Annie and Limbani drove up and more and more of the staff came down to where the bus was parked… I noted both Annie and Limbani had on the necklaces I had given them and I was touched….There were last minute pictures and promises of keeping in touch. As the pile outside the bus got smaller,  more and more hugs were given… Ronald one of the staff who had really connected with us had tears running down his face. Annie was in tears, I was in tears assuring her when she came for her visit we would dance and laugh together once more. All were aboard and hands were waving inside and outside the bus as we left Annies Lodge.

As we drove down the road I now looked for familiar markers telling me where we were. We passed the road to lake Chilwa, and then the Songani market filled with rickety booths made of bamboo and thatch. People are everywhere. The butcher’s booth still has shanks of goat meat hanging, waiting for a customer’s inspection. I wonder if Kelsey ever got that picture? I thought about our first trip down this road and how we were thirsty to take in every possible sight. Everything was new. We saw women with bundles on their heads and babies on their backs, fires on the side of the road, everyone walking everywhere… the distinctive shaped houses covered with thatch or tin…. Odd signs and shops the size of a phone booth. Just at the point where these sights are incorporated in our mental frameworks of what is Malawi, we have to part.

Our first stop is to Ndalapa Mhonge’s families village. Ndalapa finished his doctorate at Virginia Tech and works as a consultant for distance learning firm. The village iis on the River Shire and there are Baobab trees everywhere! Ndalapa’s father was an educated doctor and settled in this area. He had three wives and other concubines. Ndalapa stated he had over 60 siblings. We were presented to his father who is 102 which is very rare for Malawi to have someone living to that age. We toured the house where Ndalapa was raised. It had 11 bedrooms and the wives all lived together which was not common. He talked about how AIDs had taken its toll on his family and how is it such a problem in Malawi.

As we boarded the bus and headed out it struck me that our band of travelers are indeed ready to head home. When we first arrived we waved at everybody.  Now as we were parting waves were very tired and minimal. After all the build up Pat has done regarding Club Mac we were all ready! And she did not exaggerate… This place is absolutely beautiful… Robin if you are reading this… book mark this place for possible Malawi destination. The grounds are spectacular…Every house plant I have ever owned is in the flower beds here. Our rooms are not 50 yards from the sandy beaches that frame Lake Malawi. The pool is huge and right by it is a lovely bar.

As I sat at their internet cafe, monkeys were dashing about on the tin roof like a herd of….. monkeys. That racket competed with the Murala fruit falling from the trees. As I looked out over Lake Malawi I saw boats in the distance. No vendors were allowed on the property so some vendors were in primitive boats and paddling up and down shore hoping to attract some customers who will come down to the water’s edge and do business with them.

It took about 3 minutes for our students to acclimate and all were in bathing suits swimming and sunning and enjoying the comforts. Angela found me and said I should head out to the gate where there was a painter who did wonderful water colors of Baobab trees. I walked down to the gate and once again had to get my bartering persona back as I dealt with these wily vendors. Issac was selling his fathers and his art. I was struck by two pictures and with the help of James and Beth, I got a fair price for his work.

We all amassed by the pool at sunset with cameras in hand and were treated to a spectacular sunset over Lake Malawi. Then there was dinner and I think it was the best meal in all of Malawi… chombo, fresh vegetables, stir fries, potatoes, chicken, spaghetti, salads, deviled eggs, great rolls and I hear delicious desserts. We ate by candle light outside under the stars. And soon after dinner we were treated to traditional dancing.

As wonderful as this all was, I think I could have traded it all in for Annie’s Lodge and one more week with my students at Malemia Primary…

I am now anxious to get back…. And parents I am telling you having your children’s favorite food would be the best home coming present.. All Beth can talk about is how great her dad is at making French toast… and we have heard her litany at the last couple of breakfasts of wishing her dad would fix French toast the morning she returns. So Cathy just a hint on behalf of your daughter….

Off to breakfast and Mua Mission…

Peace and cheers,

annie