I did some (Bradt travel guide) reading on Malawi the other night. It's important when you travel to know the history of a place. Malawi is no Europe: the country's artistic and cultural achievements are not housed in museums behind thick glass and beyond red velvet rope. That red velvet rope has a name by the way; I encountered it in the Dan Brown book I read last week but now I can't recall.
Malawi may well be the most laid back nation on earth. That's what the introduction to the travel book said. I like to see myself as a laid back person but I don't know if this is completely accurate.
I'm kind of ditzy and obsessive compulsive at the same time, I told my Dutch housemate the other night.
I can see that, she said.
A side note indicated now is how much I like my Dutch housemate. She's probably going to practice medicine in Africa one day, she's here in part to confirm this is what she wants to do with her life. I think she will, I think she's a natural.
The travel book went on to discuss the slave trade which is frankly so disturbing I'm disappointed in myself for so rarely thinking about that it occurred. I know there are a large amount of horrible things going on in the world even today that I'm for all intents and purposes ignorant of. Maybe not ignorant of, but definitely not as conscious of on a regular basis as I should be. I'll work on it.
Today, now, July 12th: I'm on my way to Lilongwe, the capital city, to meet the parental unit. Can you believe it? I can't. I'm so happy to see then and to see them here-- I mean, c'mon. I wish my brother could be here too. And my dogs. No just kiddin, just Jacob.
I'm on the bus heading to Lilongwe right now- in an actual seat. I opted for my solo travel to take the executive coach (which we meant to take a month ago when we headed North, but instead ended up having a very different experience, recall). This Axa Delux(a) bus has worn but plump seats, it left on time at 7am, and there's African music playing with accompanying music videos projected on a single TV screen in the front. So far, every music video has consisted of a handful of people in coordinated outfits line dancing in front of various outdoor landscapes. Every 4-5 seconds, the video transitions and a different handful of dancers in different matching outfits and doing slightly modified dance moves takes over the screen. Really, this is a party.
I bought the Weekend Nation prior to getting on the bus, because it's also important when one travels to stay abreast of current events. The article titles and articles alike are littered with absurd acronyms and I'm straining to recall if this a phenom at home as well. Case in point, a headline from Page 7: MIRTDC Critical For SMES Industrialization. Page 6: Kasambara Free to Call JB- DPP. Page 2: ACB Clears Goodall. Page 3: Teachers Protest Over Delayed MEC Honoraria.
Is that necessary? It's making it all a little hard to get through. Didn't the staff get the memo that you only introduce an acronym if you're going to refer to it again? Okay Rebecca. Relax.
Here are some further observations and things I learned from my reading. A crisis called Cashgate is unfolding in Malawi, it appears a branch of the government has been rather corrupt in their management of foreign aid. Another article concerns itself with the Department of Aviation's current rating of SSC (Significant Safety Concern). Literally, the DoA is concerned. There's an advice column on page 5 alerting readers to be mindful of drug-drug interactions with their anti-retrovirals: Tell your doctor or pharmacist what additional drugs you are taking, including traditional and recreational. Lastly, an article deeper into the fold entitled Should Men Be Present During Childbirth? makes frequent reference to the likelihood that husbands will faint during the process, rather counterproductive. "Martin Mchetechete-Phiri thinks it is a waste of time for men to be present during child birth. 'Men devote time to other important issues when their wives are in maternity,' he says, 'they do repairing of children's room and buy all important things for the baby.'" In his defense, he gets a little deeper/more shallow in the next paragraph when he admits that he fears feeling helpless during labor, and what's more, thinks the "unpleasant picture of childbirth" would completely detach him from his wife. Oh geez. GWTP, MMP.
I think enough reading (and hence the writing) for today. Though this bus is comfortable, I don't want you to be getting the wrong idea- I'm still scrunched enough into my seat that turning the pages of the paper is a challenge. Typing on my phone right now is a much more space-efficient activity.
I'm cataloging my mind to see if there's anything else to add right now. The sun's beating down outside my window and the sky is as usual unrolling into the infinite distance. The clouds are light and fluffy today, casting big shadows on the surrounding mountains and valleys. At first glance, the shadows look like patches of darker hued trees, but I know better.
So okay, ending this for now. I'll hopefully be in Lilongwe in a few hours. So excited for this coming week, stay tuned.
Have a good Sunday,
Rebecca
Malawi may well be the most laid back nation on earth. That's what the introduction to the travel book said. I like to see myself as a laid back person but I don't know if this is completely accurate.
I'm kind of ditzy and obsessive compulsive at the same time, I told my Dutch housemate the other night.
I can see that, she said.
A side note indicated now is how much I like my Dutch housemate. She's probably going to practice medicine in Africa one day, she's here in part to confirm this is what she wants to do with her life. I think she will, I think she's a natural.
The travel book went on to discuss the slave trade which is frankly so disturbing I'm disappointed in myself for so rarely thinking about that it occurred. I know there are a large amount of horrible things going on in the world even today that I'm for all intents and purposes ignorant of. Maybe not ignorant of, but definitely not as conscious of on a regular basis as I should be. I'll work on it.
Today, now, July 12th: I'm on my way to Lilongwe, the capital city, to meet the parental unit. Can you believe it? I can't. I'm so happy to see then and to see them here-- I mean, c'mon. I wish my brother could be here too. And my dogs. No just kiddin, just Jacob.
I'm on the bus heading to Lilongwe right now- in an actual seat. I opted for my solo travel to take the executive coach (which we meant to take a month ago when we headed North, but instead ended up having a very different experience, recall). This Axa Delux(a) bus has worn but plump seats, it left on time at 7am, and there's African music playing with accompanying music videos projected on a single TV screen in the front. So far, every music video has consisted of a handful of people in coordinated outfits line dancing in front of various outdoor landscapes. Every 4-5 seconds, the video transitions and a different handful of dancers in different matching outfits and doing slightly modified dance moves takes over the screen. Really, this is a party.
I bought the Weekend Nation prior to getting on the bus, because it's also important when one travels to stay abreast of current events. The article titles and articles alike are littered with absurd acronyms and I'm straining to recall if this a phenom at home as well. Case in point, a headline from Page 7: MIRTDC Critical For SMES Industrialization. Page 6: Kasambara Free to Call JB- DPP. Page 2: ACB Clears Goodall. Page 3: Teachers Protest Over Delayed MEC Honoraria.
Is that necessary? It's making it all a little hard to get through. Didn't the staff get the memo that you only introduce an acronym if you're going to refer to it again? Okay Rebecca. Relax.
Here are some further observations and things I learned from my reading. A crisis called Cashgate is unfolding in Malawi, it appears a branch of the government has been rather corrupt in their management of foreign aid. Another article concerns itself with the Department of Aviation's current rating of SSC (Significant Safety Concern). Literally, the DoA is concerned. There's an advice column on page 5 alerting readers to be mindful of drug-drug interactions with their anti-retrovirals: Tell your doctor or pharmacist what additional drugs you are taking, including traditional and recreational. Lastly, an article deeper into the fold entitled Should Men Be Present During Childbirth? makes frequent reference to the likelihood that husbands will faint during the process, rather counterproductive. "Martin Mchetechete-Phiri thinks it is a waste of time for men to be present during child birth. 'Men devote time to other important issues when their wives are in maternity,' he says, 'they do repairing of children's room and buy all important things for the baby.'" In his defense, he gets a little deeper/more shallow in the next paragraph when he admits that he fears feeling helpless during labor, and what's more, thinks the "unpleasant picture of childbirth" would completely detach him from his wife. Oh geez. GWTP, MMP.
I think enough reading (and hence the writing) for today. Though this bus is comfortable, I don't want you to be getting the wrong idea- I'm still scrunched enough into my seat that turning the pages of the paper is a challenge. Typing on my phone right now is a much more space-efficient activity.
I'm cataloging my mind to see if there's anything else to add right now. The sun's beating down outside my window and the sky is as usual unrolling into the infinite distance. The clouds are light and fluffy today, casting big shadows on the surrounding mountains and valleys. At first glance, the shadows look like patches of darker hued trees, but I know better.
So okay, ending this for now. I'll hopefully be in Lilongwe in a few hours. So excited for this coming week, stay tuned.
Have a good Sunday,
Rebecca
You could've been a writer in another life, I would read your musings any day
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