Ok ok ok… I know what you’re thinking. If we’ve spoken a lot prior to me moving to Malawi then you know that it is frowned upon for women to drink in public. Also, if you know me at all, you know that I am a pansy and can’t “do shots.” So, when my PCMO (Peace Corps Medical Officer) said that that’s what we were going to do after his presentation, I knew that alcohol had nothing to do with the coming events. Unless you count the alcohol wipes they rub on your skin prior to administering a shot in that tender spot underneath your shoulder. 

This first day in Malawi has been filled with so many emotions. We arrived in Malawi yesterday after traveling for over 24 hrs to get here. The long flights were exhausting. The constant “hurry up and wait” and the surprise of having to check all of our luggage that then lead us all to having to rearrange everything so that we could follow the directions of keeping our valuables with us at all times. 

I was delighted to find awesome wifi at our hotel only to have it not exist today when I woke up. I can’t tell you how relieved I was to be able to see my family over the phone last night! That was an unexpected luxury even if it only lasted a few hours. 

I’m so far from home and I miss my mom so much. I miss everyone else too! But, man oh man do I miss my mommy. 

Being here is like a dream, though. The little bit that I’ve seen is breathtaking and the people here in the “warm heart of Africa” are the most wonderful humans I have ever met. It still doesn’t feel real. 

Today, I smiled and laughed so much that my cheeks hurt! Our teachers and tutors are SO knowledgeable and incredibly entertaining. They are easing my every anxiety with every little bit of information and reassurance that they give. I feel so lucky to be here! 

The American Ambassador, Virginia Palmer, came to see us today. She was AMAZING! So inspiring and I can’t wait to meet her again and actually get to speak to her. She told us that an average primary school class has 105 students in ONE CLASS! Can you imagine?! All I could think about was how back in California, we complain about having 30 in one room where we also have an aide to assist us! Don’t get me wrong, my teacher friends are INCREDIBLE AND THEY KNOW IT. But, ONE HUNDRED AND FIVE STUDENTS IN ONE CLASS???? Nope. 

We had to get vaccinations today. Hepatitis A and the flu shot. That makes only three for me so far! I hear there are many more to come and we started our malaria medication the first night we got here. It is super reassuring that they are so on top of everything that we are doing. 

Don’t worry, Mom! They are taking really good care of us!