Sleeping under a mosquito net is a lesson in
preparedness. It is imperative to gather
all the things you may need (and to complete all the tasks you have planned)
prior to tucking yourself in. The first night I settled in after 3 tries; the
second night it only took 2.
Yesterday (Wednesday), we behaved as Lilongwe tourists should. It was also Emily's birthday: Happy birthday Emily!
We started by wandering through the marketplace, where men, holding an article or two clothing, literally lined the paths to show off their merchandise. Standing shoulder to shoulder, their arms and fingers acted as hangers and hooks for the one shirt or pair of pants or skirt chosen to represent the entirety of what the vendor had to offer, strides away back at their stand. Picture the human tunnels cheerleaders form for the footballers to run through onto the field. Then reread this paragraph.
We started by wandering through the marketplace, where men, holding an article or two clothing, literally lined the paths to show off their merchandise. Standing shoulder to shoulder, their arms and fingers acted as hangers and hooks for the one shirt or pair of pants or skirt chosen to represent the entirety of what the vendor had to offer, strides away back at their stand. Picture the human tunnels cheerleaders form for the footballers to run through onto the field. Then reread this paragraph.
Through the market and onto the National Bus Company we went,
to stake out the bus schedule to Ekwendeni, where we will travel to today and
where we will be for the next 2 months.
The bus yard was a scene, and I'm sure I'll have more to say on that
experience after our bus ride today.
Our third destination was the Tobacco Auction House. Cos, our cabbie, jump-started his car and
away we went. Unfortunately, we arrived
at the trading house too late and the tobacco auction had concluded for the
day. But en route, we had a conversation
with C about his experience with the healthcare system in Lilongwe .
He told us about his interaction with the private hospital sector a few
years back, when he had malaria. He told us about the painkillers one can
obtain from pharmacy (Aspirin, Bactrim, Brumo). I just tried to google Brumo, but
on first glance have been confronted solely with articles detailing Bruno Mars'
prior arrests for drug possession. I'll
try again later. C explained that in the
city, people seek out the hospital when pain medication fails, or when one is
so weak they cannot walk or attend work.
C would never not opt for a private hospital, the alternative being the
public hospitals 100% government funded.
"Check ups" or their equivalent are not commonplace. C is
saving money to finish his studies in finance. His father is a pastor.
Presently I'm waiting for Cos to pick us up and take us
back to the bus yard. He said 15 minutes so naturally it's been around 30
and'll be -I'm sure- a little longer. Yes, in fact Cos just called Emily citing a "traffic jam" as the reason for the current delay. I'm sitting outside and it's quiet and peaceful
out. I'm surrounded by a lot of green,
including little trees in the shapes of chickens. It's cool out, temperature wise, the sky is a
bright white-gray.
Will write again, and will make Emily write soon too.
Rebecca
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