Moni from Malawi!

"Moni" is Chichewa (the local native language that is also the sole language of many in the local villages) for HELLO! So, Hello from Malawi!

Grady said at church before I sang that I may deal with language barriers - boy was he right! In ways I wasn't expecting! Even the Malawians who do speak English take advantage of you if they think you're completely dense to the area and speaking a little Chichewa says, "Hey, I know what I'm doing."

Sooo, I've finally learned how to say:

Hello! - Moni

How are you doing today? - Muli bwanji?

Fine, thank you. And you? - Ndiri bweno, kaya inu?

Thank you - Zikomo

I'm sorry - Pepani

Tionana - See you later, or We'll meet again

and...

Muzungu - White person (a not-so-nice term)

"Zikomo" is most definitely the most common word I hear. They say it here for "Please" and "Thank you" and to end conversations. When people in the market desperately tried to shove items in my face (think dirty, hole-filled used Wal-Mart shirts...literally), I would say, "Zikomo" and shake my head. (NOTE: When the same person kept bringing me things I didn't want, I would sometimes say, "No, pepani."

Malawi is so awesome. Yesterday we went to a village called Dedza that is famous for its beautiful and detailed pottery. I collect teapots, and was able to find a beautiful handmade Malawian teapot for about 14 dollars. A steal!

Today we went to the cloth market, where there was also a great deal of (not-so-gently) used clothing. I bought 4 mtrs (for about 5 dollars) of really beautiful fabric that I'm going to have made into a skirt here. I also spotted a used skirt that I really, really liked. Then...we asked the price.

Amy- "How much?"

Salesman- "Ohhh, for you, I give for...for just 3600 kwacha." (That's about 35 dollars...yeah right!)

Amy- *GAPES*

Rachel- No! That's too much! That's Muzungu prices!

Salesman- Ahhh...3400, I give you a great deal! This is handmade!

Amy- *in her head* Pff..it's probably from Wal-Mart.

Rachel- No.

(much more bartering takes place)

Salesman- 1200, final offer.

Amy- No. *Walks out*

Salesman- *Runs after her* I give...I give you for 1000! A STEAL!

Amy- 900.

Salesman- *Grumbles in Chichewa* Okay.

Bam.

Oh, and the skirt wasn't from Wal-Mart.

It was from Target.