Getting to the college

Yesterday was a long travel day that reminded us to be patient and was like a trip back in time to when we were here in 2008.

After our long bus trip up from the capital city on Tuesday we arrived at the University's office and leaned that there was a large vehicle traveling up to the plateau where the college is located.  We relaxed knowing that we had transport and headed to our little Inn to relax and reconnect with Nelson Nkhoma, our Malawian son and friend who had come back to Africa more than a month ago to work on a research project for his PhD advisor and then to return to Malawi to start on his thesis research.

We went to bed tired but happy to be here and begin reconnecting with old friends and awoke early as we had been told that the vehicle would leave for the college at 9am an we didn't want to miss it.  We assumed that it would be late as that was always the norm, but one never knows and I wisely didn't even bother to bring a watch on the trip so I could let go of my need to worry about time.

Old friends were everywhere and we delighted in greeting them as we waited for the bus to leave.  The office was abuzz with activity as they prepared for all the festivities over the next few days Anniversary Celebration and we were told that the driver had 2 very long days and they told him to come in late so he could rest.  The bus would be delayed for at least an hour or so.  Not unusual I thought, since we never left on time to go to the plateau when we lived here.

As the hours dragged on we got an update that there was some paperwork for insurance and fuel, and cash that needed to be obtained so John and I decided to wander around town and purchase some "units" which is what you scratch off to use on your cell phone.  We returned after noon and it didn't look like much progress had been made but continued to enjoy talking with old friends and meetings some new people who we had known of but never met.

Around 3pm we finally started off for the plateau with the small University bus loaded to the roof - literally - full of suitcases, materials for the graduation and food for those staying in homes where they would need to cook.  Our amazing driver Joseph, an old friend from 2008 made the trip on the beautiful but sometimes treacherous roads.  As it started to get dark in this equatorial country around 6pm we started our climb up the escarpment road - the famous Gorodi, with it's 20 treacherous bends.

It is an unimaginable road for most Americans, full of huge rocks which actually are a good thing because it provides traction on the slippery or mucky clay during the rainy season.  The road is 17 kilometers(10 miles) but takes about an hour and a half to drive.  We noted improvements in that they have put concrete on the bends themselves to give them some stability.  I had never gone up it in any thing but a 4 x 4 and Joseph got the small bus up masterfully.  If anyone else had been driving my fear of heights would not have allowed me to go I don't think.  But I trusted him with my life each time he drove us in 2008 and I knew his skill level.

We arrived at dear friend Atusaye Kayuni's around 6:30 pm and he had our dinner almost ready to go on the table when we walked in the door as we had phoned to let him know our progress.  It was amazing to see him again in person and to stay with him is a pure joy.

It is now breakfast time on the 22 and I need to go as I hear him in the kitchen again.  I hope to post more soon - this morning the internet is quite fast so if that continues I may be able to put up some photos too.