So I sit here, two days before I leave, and I realize how unprepared I am. But then again, maybe you can never feel fully prepared. I am nervous -- nervous about going to Malawi again and nervous to leave my lovely wife a day after our one year anniversary. Prior to this we had been planning for Jessica to come to Africa for about two weeks in August. We had vague plans for her to arrive in Zambia, where she did Peace Corps, and I would come and visit her after my time in Malawi. She was quiting her job August 7th and was planning coming to Africa till August 20th. Alas because of her commitments to work and that fact that I bought an "unchangable" ticket, she decided that she won't be able to go:-( This is a major bummer since we will be separated for more than 47 days and the fact that Africa means so much to both of us -- it is where we met and we both had wonderful Peace Corps experiences there.
That being said, I now have to pack my stuff. I plan on bringing only one backpack for my personal effects and two suit cases full of gifts. I want to bring only the bare essentials:
- toiletries
- a netbook (a small 10' laptop)
- camera
- blood pressure cuff
- stethascope
- rubber gloves
- 13 weeks worth of anti-malarial pills (mefloquine)
- three pairs of underwear
- three pairs of socks
- flip-flops and one pair of tennis shoes
- two t-shirts
- one pair of pants (that I will wear on the plane)....the kind that you can zip off to make shorts from REI
- My white coat that I used when shadowing doctors during my first year at Weill-Cornell Medical College
I know it seems like so little, but after my peace corps experience, I found that it is best if I buy clothes from the market in malawi. It is cheaper, less stuff to bring, and I can give away my clothes when I finished there. I am excited and can't wait to see all of my friends and students that I have there. This brings me to my itinerary. So far my plans are as follows:
- June 30th -- Arrive in Lilongwe. Stay one night there.
- July 1st -- head to Mtenchi (sp?) agricultural center.
- July 6th-August 7th -- drive to St. Andrews mission in Kasungu
- August 8th -- meet up with Dr Eskridge. An american Docotor who help organize my trip and we will travel to Senga bay.
- August 14th -- Leave malawi for home
Well I will do my best to keep everyone posted an updated on my expereinces there. I doubt I will have complete interenet access while I am there and won't be able to update my blog regularly. However, I will be keeping a journal on my laptop of my time there and will attempt try to keep my post updated.
Peace Out,
Dakotah
