It has been about a week since I landed and can proudly say am enjoying my stay. The unfolding events of each day are a constant reminder of the similarity of the human race that stems from the encoding material in our genes. Although people have different cultures, values and language, I have been truly convinced throughout my trip that even with language barriers there is some form of inner connection amongst human beings. My theory to this hypothesis is DNA.
During my long layover in Amsterdam, I encountered (never thought I would somehow meet or talk to them again) several people with interesting ideas on the global health crisis in the world and in Africa. Surprisingly our conversations continued throughout the 9hr full flight to Kili although we sat in different sections. How, will probably be the subject of my next entry or else I will reserve that for my personal journal.
Although I have had long days swamped in policy making issues and designing a case study, I have been equally engaged in the community building my Swahili skills and absorbing as much as I can of the culture. I have been amazed at the various forms of giving an applause which I hope to carry over to the classes in Cornell (especially Psych 101 or Chem 251 lectures). Pasha Pasha still remains my favourite. The food though spicy has been great. I have had a chance of eating ugali, ndizi, chapatti and Fresh Coach. Moshi offers me some consolation after being away from home for about 9 months. I have been happily drinking fanta-pineapple, passion, orange (even though my group developed a policy against added sugar) everyday. My Zain line reminds me of how close I am to home. And meeting my fellow Malawians studying at KCMC just makes my stay worthwhile and truly enjoyable.
With so many possible learning opportunities, as I enter my second week, I hope to maintain focus on absorbing as much as I can and make all the possible connections. Through these experiences I hope to always remember that if I am going to engage then there’s only so much I can understand and its best not to stop in one place too long as I might just miss the next possible connections.
