First month in Malawi

It is exactly one month since I came here. Before coming here I was preparing myself that the first month might be difficult. I was thinking about everything that would happened. I would have a new job. We all know how lost you are on your first day. I would have a new house but no friends. I wouldn’t know how things work and where to go. But I have survived the first month. So far it has been very good. At the beginning it was a bit lonely but slowly I'm getting to know some people and to move around. Work is very good so far. I like the fact that I need to be on top tof a lot of things; procurement, staff guidelines, admininstration, vehicles management, accounting, IT, etc. I actually think I would have had done a much better work in Sweden if I knew what I know now just after one month here. But at the same time I think I wouldn’t have been able to contribute much if I didn’t have had the experience I have from Sweden.

My impression of Malawi is still that it is a very friendly and beautiful country. People always greet you and help you whenever you need it. My colleagues have been very helpful and are always ready to guide me right. The security is not a big problem. Of course I have the guards at the house but in general I feel safe. Yesterday someone told me, when driving at night I need to lock the doors and not stop at the traffic lights. I would never do that in Sweden even if there were no car as far as I could see.

As I have said before, Lilongwe feels like a very small city. Even Stockholm feels like a big city compared to Lilongwe. But Lilongwe has a very nice charm. I’m starting to find my way around in the city. In one way I feel life is easier when you don’t have a lot of options. Every day is dedicated to something. It is jazz on Sundays, movies and Hash on Mondays, poetry on Wednesday, etc.

So far so good. I’m looking forward to see what the next month will bring.  

First week in Malawi

The week has been very good. I have a good feeling about everything here. People are very friendly, the work is interesting, my colleagues are very nice and the city has a certain charm.It has been a productive week. 

I have…

- recieved my work permit (for two years )

- completed my first job week

- finalized my first payroll for this month...pooh

- opened a local bank account

- driven for the first time on the left side

- taken farewell to the previous manager

- moved into my house

The garden

Winter or Summer

While people in Sweden are enjoying the summer, I’m “suffering” the African winter. Before coming here people said that I should bring warm cloths though it would be chilly at night. Even if I was told that, I was surprised how cold it is when the sun is gone. While you are enjoying the summer, I’m sitting here with my warmest cloths, the heater on and drinking a hot cup of tea. Well I think it is my preconception that Africa should always be warm that makes me feel colder. It is not much colder than a normal Swedish summer day. It is colder inside than outside so when sleeping I have the heater on, a warm cover, warm socks and pants and still feeling cold. Looking on the bright side of it, it will be two months like this and then the rest of the year it’s hot.

Sunset over Lilongwe

First day in Malawi

This time the first impression was of course different than the last time I came here. But I remember that I was so surprise that there is no feeling of a big capital in Lilongwe. It is more the feeling of a big village.

The Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe is the smallest airport I have ever seen at least if we are talking about international airports. You can't see any planes except for a few small once. 

Kamuzu International Airport

When arriving you have to show your yellow fever card. Then you walk 10 meters to the passport control another 20 meters to pick up your bags and another 30 meters you are out.

I’m staying at a hotel the first week so I have the feeling that this is only another trip to Africa and I will soon be back home again. On the other hand I’m longing to move into my new house and to have the feeling of being home. But for now I’m enjoying walking on the red African soil again.

Street outside my hotel

This is a dream come true. A few years back I could've never imagine that I would end up in Africa someday. For a long time I have wanted to work abroad and I can’t really take in that this dream has now become true. 

Goodbye Sweden!

In less than 24 hours I will be on my way to Lilongwe, Malawi. All "goodbyes" and all "I will miss you" are said. My bags are ready, I am ready!

What is waiting for me? Someone is picking me up at the airport to take me to my hotel which is in the middle of a wild life center in Lilongwe. They say you can hear the roar from the lions in the night. Then a new job, new city, new people, new house, new friends (hopefully), new experiences....in short a new life is waiting for me.

I know that not all of you will be able to visit me so this is my way to share my experiences and be a bit closer to all of you.

Leaving home