I'm trying to move my site to a different account...
My previous updates (minus some)...
"My name is Ellen"
So, apparently none of the Malawians can call me by my name, so I'm now "Ellen"."Ellen who?""Ellen Lo."I'm also called "azungu", which means "rich white foreigner". And "Madam" (at my last job, it'd be female dog). And "Hey, are you married?"I hope these pictures will capture the beauty of Malawi. And of the Malawians. :) (I have a really beautiful neighbor, by the way. I think he should be a model.)*I can't post pictures for some reason... I'll try again later.
"Moni from Africa!"
Show me the MONI! yes, I am still alive... and well! :) I've been living without electricity, running water, or plumbing for the past month... and I had to bathe outdoors with a bucket. I'm sure that'll probe a lot of questions... but maybe I can just show you pictures when I get the chance? (except for the bathing part... I'll just show you my bafa) My host family was my widowed 59-year-old amayi, 17-year-old sister Dorophy, 14-year-old brother Chisomo, and 9-year-old sister Marisela. My sister can carry my 30-pound luggage on her head. haha I don't think I can ever achieve that in my 2 years here! My sister also taught me how to do do laundry here, how to carry water on my head, how to cook over a fire... One thing I wouldn't learn to do was eat mice or termites. But they are really amazing people and I really miss them. :( Being here has taught me a lot about what I take for granted as an American. What would only take a second to push/pull a faucet to get drinking water requires 5-15 minutes of walking to a protected well to draw a bucket of water, 20 minutes of boiling water, and 30 minutes to chlorinate water here. What would only take a cup of detergent, a button to push, and two hours to do laundry requires 3 buckets (1 for water, 1 for washing, 1 for rinsing), lots of energy for scrubbing, and a few days to dry. And those are just some of the things that I've had to experience. Malawians here are awesome and so kind and generous. Yet they're so poor. Unbelievably poor. They make an average income of $150 a year, yet my family couldn't even afford to buy chlorine ($1 per bottle) to chlorinate their water (a problem that many Africans face that result in water-related diseases). The village is so poor that the village of 350+ had to share one protected well that was originally intended for the school. Due to water shortages throughout the year, they had to resort to using unprotected water, which often result in water-related illnesses and deaths. The good news is that one of our projects in the village was to build a well, so we got to watch first-hand and participate in the construction of a well. :) But even in their poverty, my family was giving me so much. They were almost in tears when I gave them a lantern, a knife, soap bars, and food. It was like Christmas. :) (My brother and sister were so excited when I gave them marshmallow and candy. :D) But I wish I could give them so much more cuz they've just been soooo good to me and they deserve so much more. And I think I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. I've been eating french fries (chippies), potatoes, eggs, and carbs (nsima - some hard corn porridge) every single meal. And for the first time in my life, I was actually craving candy and sugar, so I think I was really deprived of sugar and I'd binge on candy when I have the chance. I really really miss Chinese food (especially Mom's!), bok choys, noodles!!!!!!, juice, and fresh fruits!!! I love the kids here though! They love to just sing and dance... and stare at me. And laugh at me. A lot. But they're absolutely adorable and take care of me so well! :) There's so much I want to share... and I will. I want to say that I miss you all very very very much. It has been good to finally know what's going on in the world (like how Trinidadian terrorists tried to blow up JFK airport a few days after we left... what the heck?!). (I'd love to get Time or Newsweek articles btw...) But most importantly, it's good to be able to get emails and know what's going on in YOUR life. Oh, and I got a phone! My number is 011-265-09476754. (You can get a cheap phone card at www.enjoyprepaid.com.)Feel free to call me or text me!!! :) And write to me! Every letter is like a Christmas present to me! Or actually, even better than Christmas! I'm on my way to my permanent site for a short visit in Chiradzulu. Until then... Tiwonana! P.S. In case you don't already know, Malawi is in Africa. Yes, it's the country where Madonna adopted a child.
"Uhhh I don't remember the title"
It's funny how when you leave for 2 years, you think of everything in "final" terms like... my last supper was a $20 pork tenderloin with mango BBQ sauce...my last dessert was tiramisu ("come home soon!")...my last lunch was Sbarro's spaghetti with chicken parmigiano (I really wanted noodles and meat)...my last sight of America was New York... my last church service was at some chinese church in Philadelphia... my last movie was "Blood Diamond" on South African Airways...my last shelter was at Sheraton and now Southern Sun in SA (both first class hotels)...BUT I'M FINALLY ON AFRICAN SOIL! :) We stopped over in Johannesburg, SA, and will fly to the heart of Africa - that is, Malawi - tomorrow morning. Missing you all!!!
P.S. I was reading People magazine and discovered my former co-worker is now engaged to The Bachelor! I have no idea what to say...
