It has been a bittersweet whirlwind these last few weeks, full of saying goodbye to friends, wrapping up at work, and getting everything sold from almost 2 years of life here. On the work side, I think that I have felt more appreciation in the last few days than I felt for much of my last years – it fills me with pride in my work and leaves me with hope for their future success. Lighthouse threw me a really nice party – speeches, songs, dancing -- complemented with lots of salads and chocolate cake instead of the usual beef kebabs and white sheet cake. They gave me thoughtful presents like a wooden salad bowl, Malawi traditional cloths, coasters, and a Lighthouse t-shirt. Our colleagues at UNC, ITECH, and Baobab also attended (and Baobab brought me a beautiful painting and bag). The entire staff also wrote me a lovely book of notes that brought tears (of work-induced joy!) to my eyes. Most amusingly, the cooks gave me an enormous bowl of cooked beans to remember them by (I did love bean day!). Lastly, yesterday, on my actual last day, I asked everyone to come by at 3:30 for a hug goodbye. And they did! People from the cleaners to the managers started knocking on the door for their hugs at 3pm. If you know Malawi, they are not a hugging people – this was really a heartwarming gesture. I think every day should have been hug day there. Maybe I could have made it until March?
The home closure went surprisingly smoothly, easy even, after weeks of frantic sales, cleaning, packing, organizing, painting, and stress. The Minister/landlord came to receive his keys personally, and he was actually unbelievably kind. He inspected the home, found it in excellent condition, and was most impressed that we actually had all the keys (unlike the previous tenant who left with them – idiot). I got back my entire deposit – although I do have to cross my fingers that the check clears – and he will keep my housekeeper (photo with me and the family) on the site for a few months, which is nice for her. [What was not nice was her kneeling with her head on my feet earlier in the morning begging me to get her a job. Erf].
The last round of goodbyes with friends seems only temporary as most of us will meet again somewhere, sometime. Mina threw a fantastic belated Thanksgiving with the UNC crew, and we ate a mixed cultural blend of delicious foods with some of the typical trappings like stuffing, turkey, and pumpkin pie. I went to hang out with Kai and Sabrina at our favorite (and only) Ethiopian place for dinner, and Kai scored me one last jerry can with 5 liters of petrol so I could get home. I got to spend the last 4 nights with Hillary and Mike at their house since mine was empty (a perfect excuse). It was such a nice way to end my time here – walking, eating, drinking, and merry making with 2 of my favorite people (and local life savers).
So, now I am at the airport to say goodbye Malawi! My closest work mates, Hannock and Saulos, actually surprised me here for my sendoff: that finally did set the tears running. They brought me some lovely last minute gifts and a thoughtful card – making me blubber just a wee bit at the check-in counter. I guess I will miss this place in some ways, and in some ways different/more than I expected. I will likely be back for some short-term work sooner than later, and that will be fine (maybe even almost fun). Live here again long term? I’ll pass, thank you. I feel closure with my life here.
But, as I get ready to board, I did want to take a quick second to remember what I will miss aside from the good friends I’ve made:
1. Amazing birds right in the yard include the Lilac Breasted Roller and Livingston Turaco (which I saw this morning – thanks, Turaco!). Amazing, haunting, amusing, jungle-like sounds that wake you in the morning (at 5am) and lull you to sleep at night.
2. The feeling that you are making a positive difference, even on the days when the difference is just an improvement on a PPT presentation or a returned smile from a really sick patient.
3. The red flame trees all in bloom (like right now), preceded by the purple and yellow flowering ones
4. My Lighthouse/MPC co-workers who kept me inspired even when the work was crushing
5. Mangoes! My lips are still covered in hives from eating too many, but I just push through the pain and peeling.
6. It is beautiful here when you can travel – walking, paddling, or driving around the mountains or lakeshore dotted with thatch-roofed huts, women wearing colorful chitenje cloth, everyone carrying all manner of things on their heads, smiling (or crying) children following you, and the majestic baobab trees.
7. The things in the HUGE yard (with underused swings….grr) like blue-headed lizards, impala-lillies, hedgehogs, tarantulas, multi-colored grasshoppers, and my long-stay foster puppies (all in good homes!): Tomato, Zapato, Daisy, and Peanut.
8. The challenges of living without water or electricity or petrol or plain yogurt or diet coke. Yes, although usually frustrating, it does help you recognize that you can get by with less than you think and makes for a little excitement.
9. Best hot sauce in the world: Nali!
10. The sense that even after the worse day here, filled with anxiety, disappointment, disillusionment, or downright depression, you still recognize how lucky you are and are grateful.
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