Monday, March 9, 2009

PICS- Home Sweet Home!

We arrived off the plane and kept saying "God Bless America!"  After finding our luggage and going through customs, we could finally see our parents! 

Krista's mom had her students make us a sign!  Thanks Mrs. Patrick! 
The parents got to know each other since our plane was delayed  and they were waiting for hours. 
My dad made these picture  frames for everyone on the trip!   I passed them out at the airport. 
I took a picture of all my supplies I was bringing to Malawi, and here's a picture of all the souvenirs I brought back. 
The Chief Chair! 
While I was gone, my dad carved a "VT" out of the stump in our front yard. Before I left, I jokingly ask him to try it. We are big Hokie fans, so we like to make everything a "VT"!  I didn't think he would/could actually do it. This was the perfect welcome home present! 

To read the blog that goes along with these pictures, see The Forever Flight 

PICS- Leaving Malawi

Home was so close, yet so far. We had a couple stops to make before we left. 

This is where we bought our Chief Chairs
Hundreds of choices, no one chair alike. It was a very hard decision! 
We went to Mua Mission on the way back to Lilongwe.  Mua Mission explains the history of rituals and traditions of different tribes. We weren't allowed to take pictures inside,  but I got a couple of the buildings. 
beautiful painted buildings

Back at Korea Gardens for our last night before we left Africa the next morning. 
We got lots of stamps 
And we are off! 

To read the blog that goes along with these pictures, see Mua Mission and traveling back to Lilongwe

PICS- Club Mak at Lake Malawi

Part of the partnership between VT & Malawi allows for Malawians to come to VT to get their Doctoral Degree.  Endalipa earned his degree a couple years ago and is now back in Malawi. He was so helpful setting up the Chibale Project and during our entire trip.  On our way to Club Mak, we went with Endalipa to see the village where he grew up. 

Endalipa showed us how he used to climb to the top of the coconut tree to get the coconuts.
I was lucky enough to always be by a flushing toilet whenever I needed to go to the bathroom for most of the trip. On the second to last day... I wasn't so lucky.   A group of us went, and we conquered the hole in the ground.
Thats the outhouse. Don't worry, it has instructions! It shows you where to place your feet.
We meet Endalipa's father. 
Inside Endalipa's childhood house, I found this letter. Its small, but you should be able to read it. 
The village kids followed us.
This little girl has my fabric! I got my Malawian dress made out of this tan and green fabric. I was excited to see Malawians wearing it. 
After we visited Endalipa's father, Endalipa wanted to show us a village that has been severally  hit by HIV/AIDS.  We just stopped by for a visit and there were just hundreds of children, but no adults to be seen.  This picture is a great example of children taking care of children, we saw this often in Malawi. 
I love these type of trees! They are called Baobab trees. 
Village children. Notice the albino on the left. 
We finally made it to Club Mak! 
We were greeted with tropical drinks
Paradise....But don't you dare go in that water...parasites! 
The venders come to the shore by canoe to sell things to us. 
Sarah and Lauren outside their cottage 
Inside our room. Notice all the hotels we stayed at have mosquito nets for the beds. 
Sarah, me, Lauren  & Krista enjoying the sunset 

We explored outside the guarded gates and came across these kids. We played with them for a hour or so and we thought they might leave that baby with us. She tried to give it to us multiple times. 
Sunset on Lake Malawi
A delicious buffet. Don't be fouled by the good looking fruits & veggies.... you can't eat them. 
Some of the group at dinner. 
Dessert
We had entertainment after dinner 


A great way to end our last night! 

To read the blog to go along with these pictures, see Club Mak at Lake Malawi

PICS- Visiting Macdonald's Family

Macdonald lived in walking distance from the school (duh, you walk everywhere in Malawi)  so after school one day, we went to visit his family.  Macdonald's wife wasn't expecting us until 1pm, so we were sure not to come early.  
Macdonald knocking on the door to his house! haha
He showered them with gifts! The family was very excited with anything and everything we gave them! 
Krista brought silly toys for the kids
Macdonald, his wife and their twin sons- Vincient & God Bless 
Vincent and I just clicked! We spent the afternoon playing together...He's precious! 
The Malawian meal Macdonald's wife cooked for us.  Nsima, pigon, & pumpkin leaves.  By this time I had been in Malawi for almost a month and was more comfortable with Malawian food, so this meal was actually very good! 
Silly hat
The Sheriff  Family
Good News- Tall boy to the  left 
Miriam- The mom in the pink
Macdonald- In the yellow
Lucy- In the orange on the right 
God Bless- twin boy to the left 
Vincent- twin boy to the right 
The other two children are relatives. They live with Macdonald's family now because they both lost their parents to HIV/AIDS. 

I fit right in with the family! haha  They have a beautiful brick house with plants!  Inside has furniture, electricity, TV, sink, photos, their children have clothes and shoes .... they are very well off.  Macdonald and his wife are both teachers.  We were the first Americans to visit their home! 
Vinny and I are BFF!  The only thing stopping me from bringing him home with me was knowing that he was  well cared for here in Malawi. If he was malnourished  and didn't have a family, I would have taken him in a heartbeat.  
Vincent had a break down when he had to say goodbye to me. Broke my heart. 

To read the blog that goes along with these pictures, see Have a Nice Journey