Into The Warm Heart of Africa: Not part of my job description

When I signed up for Peace Corps I can honestly say that I wasn’t not quite sure all that I was getting myself into. I did know that I’d be living waaaay out seemingly in the middle of nowhere doing my best to help improve the lives of villagers. No where had I read “Hanging out with the U.S. Ambassador” or “Meeting the President of the country.” Well, I’ve done both (and a lot more not in my known job description, mind you) which allows me to add two things to my “Bucket List” that weren’t on there before, and then check them off.

For the 4th of July celebration all Peace Corps Volunteers were invited to the U.S. Ambassadors house for a barbeque. All PCVs were invited as well as expats living in Malawi. That’s a lot of mazungu’s in one place! This was the same place our Environment group had sworn in as volunteers at the end of April, so it felt like I was visiting an old friend. The back lawn was beautifully manicured and a bright lush green, reminding me immediately of my front lawn back in Colorado. Tables were set up holding deserts (my favorite!) and just next to it under the gazebo held the much anticipated additions to hot dogs and hamburgers, currently being cooked.

All of us mingled with each other while thoroughly enjoying a few beers and leisurely relaxing. Over the speakers we heard our attention being called as we gathered around. The U.S. Ambassador, Bode, read the speech that President Obama was to read to the American Nation the subsequent day, which immediately followed a couple singing the USA National Anthem acapella. WIth all of this - lush green grass, american flags, picnic tables, hotdogs and hamburgers to come - I felt like I was back in America.

Once the meat was ensured dead and ready to eat we all lined up anxiously awaiting a plate full of American food. Two meal tickets meant I was surely getting a hotdog AND a cheese burger. I piled my plate with beans and chips and loaded my burger with onions, lettuce, tomato, and my usual heap of ketchup, also added to the hotdog. When you’re a lover of ketchup and the closest thing you can get here is “tomato sauce” you take advantage of the time you see “Heinz” written on the side of a bottle. These are times you throw out your counting of calories and chow down.

As I was standing next to Tom, one of our original crew, it seemed customary to sit and chat while we scarfed down. I hadn’t seen him since we began our service and I was anxious to hear how things were going at his site. I think it’s enlightening to hear how other people are doing. It helps me to look at my village a different way and also appreciate what I have...or be envious of what I don’t!

I surprised myself by demolishing the entire hotdog AND hamburger in about 10 minutes. The beans (baked beans, like back home!) joined the party in my belly as well as the Doritos and Lays piles. My belly was full, to say the least. But it was time to enjoy another Carlesburg (yep, that’s one of two choices of beer here...reasonably priced) and discover who else's site I would be envious of.

Then the desert table “opened” for the taking. That’s what I really came for. Forget those burgers and chips, now my sites were on the cookies, candies...and of course cupcakes. I’d been dreaming of cupcakes (surprise!) for the few weeks preceding the event, but then again I’m always dreaming of them. My wishes were fulfilled by seeing the carefully iced peaks lined together in a tupperware container. “Ooooooh joooooooy!” as Stimpy would say. Let’s just say the visual of the cupcakes was a bit more satisfying than the product itself, but nonetheless my sweet tooth had been satisfied...along with the other four trips to the desert table :-O

Goodness, I hadn’t been this full in a looooong time. I felt like that gal that turns into a blueberry in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. All that food and a good handful of delicious beverages will do that to a gal!

It was so good to catch up with friends and have a chance to relax and let lose for a little while. To have the U.S. Ambassador (who always exclaimed his love for PCVs and the work we do...he’s been relocated to the Middle East due to exceptional skills) to open his home to over 100 volunteers and numerous others was such an honor and a treat. I’m not sure he fully understood how much he made our weeks by inviting us. Needless to say, we all went home very satisfied we had celebrated the patriotic holiday with great friends and delicious food. One of many unexpected perks of my job :)

Unexpected perk #2 was meeting the President of Malawi, His Excellency Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika and First Lady Madame Calista Mutharika. The first indication that I may have the opportunity to meet the President of anything came to me in a text from our Country Director, Vic. It was unclear to me and Justine, my site mate, which President we were talking about. “Obama?” “Naaahhhh, why would Obama care about Peace Corps Malawi compared to all the other issues like oil invading our oceans and a bad job market?” “President of Peace Corps?” “Yeah, that seems more likely.” “President of Malawi?” “Ha, yeah right!”

Well all this got cleared up when we were in Lilongwe for the 4th of July celebration that we would, indeed, be dining with Bingu sometime in the next two weeks. I waited in anticipation in the weeks following the feast at the Ambassadors house, hardly believing that I’d meet the President of ANY country, for that matter. Then comes the question of “What do I wear!” Anyone who knows me knows that my most comfortable attire is a pair of jeans, t-shirt, and sweat shirt. Skirts I can do. Dresses, now that takes a special occasion.

I was lucky enough to inherit National Wear from the previous volunteer who worked in Bwanje. It worked out well, too, that she and I are relatively the same size. Problem solved! Except for the shoes...but thank you Justine! She’s the one with the style, I tell you. If you want to find anything cute in the markets, you must take her with. She’s like a magnet to the American Eagle and Aeropostal goodies.

In the time back in Bwanje before hearing of the date our luncheon would take place, I busied myself with my puppy, yelling at him to stop chasing the chickens while encouraging him TO chase the goats, as well as sewing and reading. A text finally arrived declaring we would meet the President on July 20th at the State House. Let me tell you, did I feel important or what!

Fast forward to the day of the event. You have never seen 100+ PCVs cleaner, I’ll tell you that. Hair washed the day of, feet scrubbed of village dirt and who-knows-what else, teeth brushed, and clean clothes, er, at least clean-looking. We piled on large buses, all of us excited and bouncing with anticipation!

We were welcomed by one gate and guards that came up asking to see the specialized invitations given to each of us. No invitation, no admittance! They seemed to think all of the white sheets of paper waved in the air was enough to get through the first gate, so on we went. I wondered how long the drive was going to be to the next gate...enough for a 2 minute conversation at least. Goodness, what a large stretch of land! Lots of room for a few soccer fields and an amusement park, I’m sure.

The next set of guards were nice as well, that we were welcomed and inviting us to “feel free.” We all stood patiently in line where were were patted down one by one to see if we were carrying any explosives, cameras, or twinkies. We were informed prior to departure that cameras were not allowed...however they didn’t say anything about camera phones ;)

A large white tent resembling the Denver International Airport was where our shindig was to be held. As I walked in I was hit by a blast of cold air. What is this?! Air conditioning?! Haven’t felt that in ages! I was actually cold, which was a shock to myself for sure. I’ve come to prefer the natural temperature of air, regardless of the fact I don’t have the choice or pleasure of AC. At any rate, I found my table which as conveniently placed two tables away from the head table.

As Malawian time exists, everything starts late. So I walked around and chatted with some friends and also with the newbies from the Health and Education Volunteers who arrived in country two weeks prior. I also took in the crystal chandeliers, chunk strips of fabric in Malawi flag colors strung from the peak of the tent to the sides, the large dance floor laid out, red carpet near the entrances, and more. I will tell you, it was quite extravagant. It reminded me a bit of the debutante ball I had when I was a senior in high school, only National Wear and suits were worn instead of wedding-style dresses and tuxedos.

In the mean time delicious beverages were brought out, much to my surprised pleasure. First the red wine, white wine, and Amarula liquor. I thought that was awesome in and of itself, yet it was followed by a rosae, sparkling wine, another red (and white, I believe), and juice. Gotta put the juice in there ;) I was shocked beyond belief...what a treat!

When His Excellency arrived we all stood up and the band played as he entered with the First Lady. I was grinning from ear to ear because really, this was so cool! As soon as he was settled the food came out, of which I was in anticipation to see. None of us were served until the head table had begun.

I had expected nsima, being that it is a national favorite. But all things considered it was probably best to serve over 100 people rice opposed to having 15 hand washing stations. The plates were real china and we were literally eating from silverware. First was a delicious potato soup, of which I went easy on knowing there was more to come. Next on the menu was rice, beans, fish, potatoes, more rice, beef, and chicken. If there happened to be something else I cannot remember, as my plate was packed full! I enjoyed as much as I could before I was too stuffed to eat any more in my already-snug dress (being the style here). But then came desert, and we all know what happens with that...of course, there’s always room on my desert shelf! I even had two, in fact :) I’m sly to pull that one off!

We all sat patiently and attentive as speeches were given by our very own PCV Sarah Swenson (all in Chichewa), Vic Barbiero our Country Director, and Bingu himself. I would wager to say it is big news anywhere for the president of a country to come out and publicly support Peace Corps. I know in the past Peace Corps has been asked to leave countries because fear that our presence was altering the culture of the country. So all things considered, it was a really great speech!

In honor of the event, families from our homestay villages came up from Dedza to perform a traditional Malawian dance for the President. Some were dressed with feathers and bangles on their feet, so each time they stepped it added rhythm to the dance. My heart fills with delight and happiness when I hear Malawians singing, and this was simply icing on the cake for this day.

With all of us comfortable happy and pleasantly stuffed, we were called to the dance floor to dance with the President. Okay, okay, so many people have lunch of dinner with a president...but how many can say they danced with him?! Yeah that was cool! Also shook his hand and took a photograph with him!

Bingu must have thought it time to go relax, as we all ushered out for one final photo with him and the First Lady. It sure was quite an honor to be standing right next to his chair in the photograph too ;) Gracing the red carpet on their departure, off they went in jet black cars donning Malawi’s flags on the points.

Before our departure in the large buses we were able to enjoy some more dancing of our own on the dance floor to a live band playing Malawian music. Ladies popped off their shoes and men loosened their ties and we all savored the time we were able to enjoy with friends on such a momentous occasion. However all good things must come to an end as the band played it’s final song.

Later that evening, back at the lodge, a bunch of us were hanging out and decided to see what the evening news held. Well, it held a lot of Peace Corps and our luncheon with Bingu! Video cameras present at the event caught speeches and dancing with the President. You could hear us down the road, I'm sure, cheering when most of us saw yourselves at least once on TV. How's that for my 5 seconds of fame ;)

So it is true when signing up for a job not everything is present in the job description. Sometimes it may be not weigh in your favor, as you sign up to become a restaurant server but have to start off as a food runner instead. Or it may be magnificent where you are able to enjoy the American food delights at the Ambassadors house or dine with the President.