The Beginning!!??

Well not really the beginning. I think it started in July when I started the idea...But the start of the actual travel was yesterday. In which case I should be in Johannesburg (Jo’burg), South Africa now but it wasn’t meant to be yet. The blizzard in Chicago held up my plane in Charlotte and so I (and most other travelers) missed the connection. Standing in line for 4 hours to get to the customer service desk, I got to stay at the Hyatt Dulles (WOW) and meet all sorts of people in line. Slept so well (granted I thought I was ON the flight today) and had what was quite possibly the first of very many strange dreams as a side effect of the antimalaria pills I’m taking. (big dinner out doors, spilling/tripping and catapulting mashed potatoes while trying to clear up, and trying to make a model of the building we were sitting outside of) Back to the airport today and lines to get a ticket (standby) and then to check in at the gate (still standby) The plane yesterday must have been empty as we all now are on standby for the flight tonight.

10 days

Departure is coming up so soon!! We’re at the countdown of 10 days! And so I must pack at some point soon. Talk about a daunting job…so much to take…so much to do!




I want to thank you all so much for all the support I’ve received! I did hit my goal of $7,000 but am definitely still taking in support through Black Mountain Presbyterian Church. I failed to estimate for some things. The plane ticket and the vaccinations were more than the $$ I budgeted, I’m staying overnight in Jo’burg, South Africa on my way to Malawi, and I completely forgot about health insurance while traveling. I know it is all going to work and I’m so excited and thankful.

Speaking of vaccinations, I’m finished getting stuck!! I’ve had three pre-rabies shots, hepatitis A, tetnus, and yellow fever vaccinations. I took the typhoid pills and have gotten 6 months worth of anti-malaria drugs…strange dreams here I come! (side effect of meflaquine). My right arm is still sore (my last shot was yesterday) but nothing as bad as when I got 4 shots on one day…

I’m now reading African Friends and Money Matters by David Morenz to get a feel for some of the different cultural aspects especially those that deal with money. There are so many differences and he also goes into a possible explanation as to why different customs come about. The biggest theme is that African communities are very communal. If one person has something and it isn’t being used then it is seen as being free for the asking or the sharing. Money is used immediately or a friend or family member will ask to use it for some immediate need. The give and take in African society are integral in personal relationships.