A Few Short Malawi Anecdotes

Hey All – I’m beat after a long day but didn’t want you to think I forgot about you… as a compromise, I’m just going to share a few funny stories today and then I’ll get you a longer post tomorrow when I’m fresh.

Story #1: I was introducing myself to someone who was working on our property.

Me: Hi, I’m Sarah.
Him: SA-LAH?
Me: SAR-R-R-RAH.
Him: SA-L-L-L-LAH?
Me: (giving up) Yes, Salah.

As this was happening I vaguely remembered someone telling me that Malawians pronounce R’s as L’s and L’s as R’s. Now, anytime I’m giving instructions and they’re not understanding a certain word, I just try switching out my L or R and presto, we’re good to go. Takes a little getting used to. Anyone know how that started?

Story #2: Nia decided she wanted to color a picture for the guard and ride her trike down the driveway (to the guard station) to give it to him. Of course she wanted to do it all by herself, so I sent her on her merry way. She triked there and back and we went about our day.

A few hours later, the guard walks up to me, pulls the folded coloring sheet out of his pocket and says in a very serious voice, “Mam, what’s the meaning of this?”

Me: “Ummm. She just wanted to make something for you.”
Him: “Well what should I do with it?”
Me: “You can either hang it in your guard shack or (in a whisper) throw it away.”
Him: “Yes, MAM!” (with salute)

Such a funny, awkward moment. Africa, you crack me up.  :)