Day 5 Breakfast at the Korea Garden Restaurant

Day 5 Korea Garden Lodge

Day 5 October 5 (Part1)

It's picture day in Lilongwe. First up are pictures of where I am staying - the Korean Garden Lodge. Not exactly an oxymoron but certainly an unexpected coupling. It sits just outside the "old town" of Lilongwe but the old town is still very new - just older than the "new town" which is about 1km away. The lodge is less than opulent despite the pictures of the dinner area that I am about to import but comfortable with a basic overtone. A nice place from which to start my Malawi experience.

Day 4 October 4

Finally made it to Malawi - with a side trip to Zambia. Early start and cumbersome exist process at Nairobi made for a long morning but we got lift-off and made it to the Malawi. I was met at the airport by Steve from WUSC (World University Services of Canada) and taken to a lodge with uncertain power - its on now so I thought I would take adviantage of its current-ness (PUN intended).

Lodge is fine with a good sized room and its own mosquito net so I should be fine to start the orientation session tomorrow. Great lightning storm shortly after we landed followed by steady rain. This is the first rain since March so it is very welcome as the nation depends on agriculture and there is little irrigation. Rainy season is not supposed to start until December so we will see if it is early or whether this is just a harbinger.

Day 3 October 3

Again a less than satisfactory day. Kenya Airline flight to Narirobi was delayed until late afternoon which meant we got into Narirobi after midnight. Got to bed at 2:00 with a 4:30 wake-up call. Seat mate on the plane was the Head of the United Nations Section for Multi-lateral Development for a European country who had extensive experience in Africa. Long 8 hours flight but a good seat and company kept it from dragging.

Day 2 October 2

Day was not so good. Flight (Kenya Airlines) was delayed 4 hours until about midnight and then cancelled. Got moved to a nearby hotel and had dinner with the Doctors without Borders Country Director for the new nation of South Sudan. Interestng organization and person.

Day 1 October 1

First day was fine and involved the flight to Amsterdam. Good seat, good flight but a large seat mate who made her largeness felt.