This photo has nothing to do with this post, but I know people like photos so here you go. This is one of the many roosters in the village, which love to start crowing about 3am and continue throughout the day.
Okay, back to the point of this post. Being a Peace Corps Trainee is a bit like being a kid all over again. Let me explain. I live at home, with my (host) family. I have chores, like sweeping and cooking. My amayi often wakes me up in the morning, and tells me when it is time to bathe. The amayis try to get us trainees to walk to "school" (training) together, even though it is only a ten minute walk away. If one of the trainees leaves a little early, the amayis hurry us and tell us we will be late for school. They pack us snacks, and we go home to have lunch. My amayi tells me to sweep my room and my abambo tells me to clean my lantern. Also, I have to ask them if I can go out, and I'm not allowed out after dark. All of this is kind of awkward for an adult in her 30s.
That being said, it is all in our best interest. We are new to this country, this culture and the language. Our host families are teaching us how to live in Malawi, and keeping us safe. I really do need someone to teach me how to cook over an open fire, clean the lantern, carry water on my head and give me an estimate on the price of a mini-bus. The being out after dark prohibition will actually continue during my service too.
So thank you to my host family for helping me learn to live in Malawi. Now I have to go sweep my room.
