Home in Malawi (Nov 30, 2011)

*Gratitude*

Outside my house - hammock for relaxing and stargazing

Today I wake up feeling rested and excited about the day ahead.

I am incredibly lucky to have a found a wonderful place to stay.

I am renting a room in a small, 2 bdrm house a 25 minute walk away from work and town. The house itself is quite cute, smaller than an apartment. It has a kitchen, which is great because I can cook and keep food, as well as a bathroom with a shower (and even hot water sometimes!). My room is great – it has windows on 3 walls and I wake up every morning bathed in light with a view of green tropical trees and a grass fence. 

Outside the place there is a small porch with some basic wicker furniture where I like to eat breakfast.  It seems funny, but being able to do small things like boiling water or making coffee and eggs feels great after my month of staying in different lodges.

There is also a papaya tree with a hammock right out front my door. Last night I lay on the hammock drinking a cider and watching the stars appear. It is peaceful and I feel safe and happy there. The moon here hangs differently – as a sliver it smiles with its sides turned upwards.

Papaya Tree

Moon smiling in the sky

The best part about where I am living is not the house but the location. It is at the back of a campground for overlanders and backpackers. The place has a camping area, grass huts and dorms where people can stay and is quite lively. There is a small bar, a restaurant with a great vegetarian menu, a book exchange and a swimming pool. There is a also communal area where people hang out. Last night I heard music while lying on the hammock and went out to investigate. A band was practicing by the pool table – a mix of local and foreign guys with guitars, djembes and their voices. I sat and listened to them play, read my book and chatted with a man from Finland.

Given that it gets dark at 6 p.m. and it is unsafe to walk outside after that time, it is wonderful to be able to be around people and have things to do without leaving the camp area. If I need privacy, I can go hang out in my room or on the porch of the house, which is perfect.

If there isn’t any running water, there are always buckets of water in the communal bathrooms so I am never without. 

I also now have a roommate now who seems very nice – Tyler is a young guy from Indianapolis who is also volunteering here.

It is funny how having a welcoming physical space makes a huge difference. I don’t feel as disconnected and foreign anymore. I am part of a community and have a place that allows me to be myself and that meets my needs.

I feel so grateful for my new home. 

Kitchen

Living Room

My new bike - a gift from my Aunt Mary & Uncle Sandy