Day 19: A Surprise for Ellie

It took us about five hours to drive from Mzuzu to Lilongwe. Lattes and Cappuccinos from “Cool Bean'' coffee shop helped wake us. It rained a lot but that’s how it is in Mzuzu and the reason it’s always so green and lush. We reversed the sights of the previous day and again saw fields of maize, tobacco, etc. The rock formations were covered in thick clouds of fog giving the area a very surreal feeling. We stopped to buy red and yellow mushrooms and potatoes. I love how you know just what grows in each area by what's being hawked on the side of the roads. It was obvious that the deep thick wood and the rainy climate make for a perfect mushroom habitat.

We got to Lilongwe midafternoon and went to the outside craft market. Trying a new strategy we walked the whole area before going back to buy the things we thought would sell best in the US and the ones we could afford. A fair amount of haggling was involved but in the end I think everyone felt good about the agreed upon prices. I try to explain that we sell the goods and all the money comes back here to help keep girls in school. There are always big smiles when the shopkeepers hear this.

Charlotte ran into the guy that had sold her paintings in 2019 and she showed him a photo that she had from then. We took another photo that delighted both of them.

We next headed to Olipa’s house where we’ll be tonight and leave for the airport tomorrow. We rearranged our bags, took hot baths and played with the kids. Eddie, who will turn 9 next week, got the hang of folding Origami cranes pretty quickly. This little boy reminds me of my son Zak. He is always cutting up cardboard into shapes that fit together to make something like a car or truck or whatever. He’s very adept at this so folding paper was a breeze.

Then Charlotte got all excited and said “the surprise is here” and told me to close my eyes. I did until told to open them to see Mary rushing towards me with a big smile and warm tight hug. Mary is the first person in Malawi to help us navigate the MoonCatcher world here. I try to see her whenever we return but I thought it wouldn’t happen this year. In an effort to throw me off the scent Olipa had just shrugged and said no we won’t be seeing her. It’s too far. Little did I know that she and Charlotte were plotting behind my back. We all had dinner together and chatted about work and family and all sorts of other things. It was the most perfect surprise.

Tomorrow we start the 40+ hour trip home. It’s been a good productive trip but we are tired and ready to sleep in our own beds. Thank you to all our friends in Uganda, Kenya and Malawi.