Finaly Days in Malawi!

After a wonderful trip with Dr. Eskridge and crew, I have now arrived at Mabuya Backpackers for the final stay of my time in Lilongwe, Malawi. Prior to arriving in Lilongwe, I had been looking for one of my former students whom I was having a hard time frinding; his name is Thomas. He was one of the students who lived with me during my last year of Peace Corps in Monkey Bay (2005). Thomas is an HIV/AIDS orphan who essentially has no family......so one day while I was in Mtunthama I recieved a phone call from Thomas!!! i was so happy to hear from him. He is now sturggling to get by in Blantyre. So I told him that if he could find a way to make it to Lilongwe, I would reimburse him and pay for his trip back to Blantyre.

Initially, Thomas said he was going to catch the 4am bus from Blantyre and arrive in Lilongwe thurday morning (tomorrow). Then catch the bus in the evening back to Blantyre thursday eveining. However just as I arrived Thomas called me and mentioned that he wasn't able to get a 4am bus ticket and instead was going to take the 7pm bus tonight and arrive in Lilongwe around 11:30pm. Then he was just going to hang out in the Bus Depot until Thursday morning!!!! After hearing this, I arranged a bed for him at Mabuya Backpackers and stay with me......I couldn't have him stay at the bus depot with NO bed!!!

I look forward to seeing Thomas:-) Tomorrow we are going to Lilongwe Market so I can buy gifts and other things before I head home.