welcome to Malawi & how to learn Chichewa in 3 days or less

~my new home aka "the bush"~

it's time for africa* 

I have been in Malawi for three days now. I like to think it is long enough to get over both severe jet lag and culture shock but I actually think jet lag is awesome because I wake up READY TO GO every day at 5am now and I am not sure I have experienced culture shock yet which probably means it is just right around the corner. So I will be updating that statement in a few days I am sure.

But I love it here.

we are living in the bush about 1.5 hours from the capital and i think there is something different about clouds in africa bc they are SO BIG so if someone could explain that to me that'd be great. it's incredible.  

A post is coming about what I’m actually doing and etc, but before you judge me too hard for my unavoidable pictures and gushing, disclaimer that I am not participating in “voluntourism” and no I am not silly enough to think I am changing the world/anyone’s life with my presence.

I am participating in an internship that I hope will help me develop useful skills and am so excited to learn about a beautiful and interesting culture. I hope to grow and learn and fail and have the courage to keep trying.I know that if anyone's life is changing it is mine and i say bring it. 

~~So sshhh to the haterz~~

I have already learned some things that have filled pages and pages in my journal. Some lessons are really hard to write about. Those might come a bit later.

But here is one of my favorite lessons so far:

how to learn all of the important words in a language in 3 days or less**

If you want to learn a new language learn it from children. 

They will demand that you sit with them for {literally} hours and repeat back to them EXACTLY what they say. And will yell each word at an increasingly loud volume until you get it precisely right even when it is a really hard language like Chichewa which has sounds in it that you have never even heard and how in the world do you do that with your mouth?!

But if you write down every word you learn and make friends with some really kind adults they will help you and eventually you will be able to basic greetings without causing everyone to break into a fit of giggles because you are saying it so wrong.

But try to venture out and use those new words you spent hours learning and they will laugh and laugh.

But in the meantime enjoy being yelled at and pointing to your nose (mbola!) and ears (makutu!) and shoes (nsapato!) and blue (mtambo!) and trees (mtengo!).

and don't bother reverting to the only other foreign language you're familiar with even if it is spanish bc while it helps with remembering the word for shoes (zapato/nsapato are basically the same-BOOYAH) shouting no habla doesn't do anything

Seriously though. These kids are so patient and persistent and would win best teacher of the year award in my book any day.

Mission “make friends by trying really hard to communicate but still failing but still making friends” officially begun

* "AFRICA IS A CONTINENT NOT A COUNTRY YOU BIG DUMMY" yes. i know. i am merely referencing the popular song by Shakira that you might be familiar with and that i can't help but think about every time i remember i am, indeed, in africa. and "it's time for malawi" didn't ring quite as well

** important words limited to anything you can physically touch/point at i.e. body parts, nature objects, and colors

I don't want to sound like every other sap who is currently writing in their *SUMMERTIME ADVENTURES AND LIFE LESSONS* blog but really, i am so excited and blessed to be here. happy days ahead. 

I want to sign off with the Chichewa word for goodbye to show that i really did learn something today but I can't remember how to say it so peace and to be continued

(okay cheated and looked it up-- ndapita!)

xo forevers