Im off to Malawi

  Hi guys,  Well Im off to Malawi. I have all my things packed and I am ready to go to the airport for my 2pm flight to Amsterdam. Then from there I go on to Nairobi and then to Lilongwe, expecting a 24 hour journey to be in "the heart of Africa", Malawi. After a tearful goodbye at Dresden Airport, by the way the biggest airport that I know XD, I departed my journey. I did not have to many emotions come to me as I did not realise what actually was about to encounter me. When I arrived in Amsterdam, I knew there was a very long wait ahead of me. Around 6 hours at an airport, not a travellers best friend. I really wanted to go an see Amsterdam as I really like the city, however, it would just not make any sense as it would take me around 30 minutes to get into the city and then there were so big lines at the security checks that I would not have enjoyed it. That is why I stayed at the airport, which was fine for me as I was able to watch a movie, read and listen to music as well as get some last items for the flight. 

Then it was time. My flight to Africa, I headed off with a 787 Dreamliner to Nairobi first. Europe Im leaving you. I must say the service on board was really good. They tried giving you as much to drink as you wanted and gave you two meals. The only thing that was not good on this flight was the fact that my sound did not work for my screen, which meant I was only left with either watching a movie on the iPad or going to sleep. I also had a good chat with the two sitting next to me. Both are also volunteer workers. One was working for Doctors without Borders by building hospitals, and the other one was going to Malawi with me but she had her own organisation which was working on creating hospital beds. Listening to both their experiences and the places they have gone, I was relishing the fact to start getting to work in Malawi and to see the country. After 8 hours we finally landed in Nairobi, Kenya. There I had another 5 1/2 hours to wait before heading off to Lilongwe. As the terminal in Nairobi was so small and hardly had any seats, I decided to just pay $45 to go into the Turkish airlines lounge. My first time in a lounge and I have to say I expected more than it was, but at least I was able to have a shower and good Wifi, as well as free drinks and food. Just being in that lounge made my wait so much shorter and in the end worth paying the amount I paid.  I was finally able to board the flight and off I was to Malawi. We landed a bit late and the descend onto the airport was rough to say the least, but I was happy to finally be in the country I was working towards being. Now it meant going through customs and getting the bag and then towards the orientation camp we go. I must say it was pretty quick getting through immigration, with all the officers being really nice. Waiting for Ken to finally pick us up, I started to experience the Malawian way of life. All a lot slower and more comfortable. When he finally arrived, and meeting all the other volunteers, we departed in the direction of the north of Malawi, via a stop in Malawi to let some of Kens friends out. SO we were finally on the road in the direction of Maji Zuwa, a lodge where our Orientation was going to be. I must say, at first I was really scared of how Malawians drive because there was no system behind it. It was just speed and speed. People were walking on the side of the road and cycling as well. Anyway, that was my only mode of transportation to the north.  While going up to the north we encountered a car crash, where a lorry had hit a civilian. We stopped in the hope could help. I saw how unaware the civilians are as the men standing next to the little boy that was hit thought he was dead and just cried and cried for help. Ken was able to help and we took them to a hospital, which meant all 6 volunteers had to sit at the back of the small van crammed. This experience just gave me an insight into what I might see when I start working in Ngara.

Anyway, by 2 am we arrived at the lodge in Maji Zuwa, everyone dead on their feet as no-one had a lot of sleep the past 32 hours. Or for me it was 32 hours I was travelling. I got my room and fell into bed, but no worries, the bed had a mosquito net over it which meant I was fine to sleep.   So that was all about my journey to Malawi. Check in later to see what my orientation was all about and what my impressions of Malawi are.   Till then,     Tim