Update from Blantyre!

Things back in Blantyre are going alright but I definitely miss my friends in Mangochi. We moved into Doogle's lodge- a backpacker's lodge on the outside of town. It was an improvement over Jeanne's house because we could meet people there and there was a restaurant if we didn't feel like cooking or have groceries. The owner, a South African, said that we could have a discount of 10% because we were staying for so long. However, the other night, he took back his offer and said that he had changed his mind. Andrea and Matt were really upset and packed everything up and left in the middle of the night. I was not that upset so I decided to stay and figure out a plan from there. I really prefer to have lots of people around to meet and talk with and not to stay in someone's house with a big gate around it.

I am feeling a bit lonely and homesick these days so I started finding things to do to fill my evenings here. I have registered for both a French class and a class in Chichewa at the French Cultural Center. I have also found a traditional dance company and hope to start rehearsing with them in the near future. I also joined a gym at the College of Medicine so I can be a gym rat while I am here. Overall, I have done a pretty good job staying busy.

At the gym, I met two Americans who are about my parents age. They have really been kind to me and have been emailing me all sorts of things about upcoming events and clubs to join. I really want to meet people so I may be signing up for a bunch of totally random things. I am going to lunch at her house on Saturday and she has invited a bunch of people. I'm excited about the opportunity. Last night, I also went to the local movie theater (it was cheap night!) and saw "Obsessed" with Beyonce. The film wasn't very good but the movie theater was fantastic! Seriously, it was nicer than many movie theaters back home.

I'm thinking about moving to another lodge in town instead of staying at Doogles. Doogles has many people that are on vacation and aren't really that responsible. There is loud music and drinking at all times of night.

I am going to start traveling in the near future. First stop is Liwonde National Park with all of the animals and then to Mount Mulanje. I am looking forward to it.

I may decide to move my flight up and come home from Malawi early. I have enjoyed my time here so far but things aren't quite as much fun when you're doing them all alone. I am trying to make the most of my time here so that when I get back, I don't have regrets.

Missing you all and looking forward to being home soon!