9 days to go!

Our trip to Malawi is quickly approaching! I'm getting so excited and anxious, but I still feel like I have a million things to do before I leave plus working everyday. Packing will probably be the worst part because I can only take two suitcases of 50 pounds exactly in each. Yes, I know I'm traveling to Africa and I do not need to over pack, but I am also bringing an entire suitcase of supplies for the school where we will be teaching. It's definitely going to be hard to decide what goes and what stays! 

Here is the basic itinerary for our month stay in Malawi. Most days will be spent in Zomba where we will be teaching students in the morning and studying in the afternoon at the Malawi Institute of Education.

June 21: Leave Dulles Airport on Ethiopian Airlines at 8:30 PM. Arrive in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on June 22 at 7:40 PM (7 hours difference in time). Overnight in Addis Ababa.

June 23: Leave Addis Ababa at 9:30 AM. Arrive in Lilongwe, Malawi at 12:10 noon (capital of Malawi). Sightseeing in the capital city. Korea Garden Lodge for the night.

June 24: Freedom Gardens (sustainable village setting, an experimental project)

June 25:  Travel to Zomba. Dedza Pottery. Paper Making Facility (makes art paper from elephant dung) Village Trips. Annie's Lodge

June 26:  Travel to Domasi for classes at Malawi Institute of Education (MIE). Orientation at  teaching sites (Domasi Government School, Domasi Demonstration School, Malemia Primary School)

June 27:  School assignment (First day of teaching!) MIE classes in the afternoon.

June 28:  Orientation to Zomba, town exploration, etc.

June 29:  Annie's Lodge, Zomba town, local church, studying and class meeting

June 30: School assignment. MIE classes in the afternoon and project work. 

July 1: School assignment. MIE classes in the afternoon and project work.

July 2: School assignment. MIE classes in the afternoon and project work.

July 3: School assignment. MIE classes in the afternoon and project work.

July 4:  School assignment. MIE classes in the afternoon and project work.

July 5: Travel south to Mt. Mulanje. Tea Plantation. Hiking on Mt. Mulanje (the third  highest mountain in Africa!) Annie's Lodge and other sightseeing. 

July 6: Local church and surrounding towns. Studying/Planning. 

July 7: School assignment. MIE classes in the afternoon and project work. 

July 8: School assignment. MIE classes in the afternoon and project work.

July 9: Travel to Mvuu Camp for safari. Overnight at camp. River safari, afternoon and  evening safari. 

July 10: Morning guided walk. Liwonde wood carvers. Return to Annie's Lodge in Zomba. 

July 11: School assignment. MIE classes in the afternoon and project work. 

July 12: Orphanage visit. Annie's Lodge/Zomba.

July 13: Local church. Studying.

July 14: School assignment. MIE classes in the afternoon and project work.

July 15: School assignment. MIE classes in the afternoon. Farewell Dinner for teachers. 

July 16:  Leave for Mangochi. Village visit. Club Makokola on Lake Malawi. Village dancing.

July 17: Departure after breakfast. Mua Mission. Korea Gardens in Lilongwe. 

July 18:  Leave Lilongwe on Ethiopian Airlines at 1:50 PM. Arrive in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at 8:10 PM. Flight to Dulles at 10:15 PM.

July 19:  Arrive in Dulles at 7:20 AM. 

9 days until we leave!