Imraan and I landed shortly after midday yesterday in Lilongwe, Malawi. Saleema had a driver waiting for us thankfully.
It was almost a 45 minute drive from the airport to the hotel and there wasn't much to see except countryside and dust.
I gazed out of the window for awhile as Imraan made conversation with the driver, I found myself absent mindedly playing with the bracelet on my left wrist.
I lifted it up and studied it in the bright sunshine as the land cruiser swerved one way , then another to avoid potholes and other obstacles. Shew, I should tell him I'm pregnant!!
The bracelet was Imraan's gift to me for our anniversary, it was a specially crafted 24k charm bracelet that had two charms already and place for quite a few more.
The first charm was a little heart engraved with our names on each side, for our love and marriage, Imraan had explained.
The second was a number 1 with a little square diamond at the top, for our 1st anniversary, Imraan had said.
I had asked him if he planned on giving me a number each year now, but he laughed and said no, he wanted to give me different charms as the occasions presented themselves...like a little foot he had seen with a ruby or sapphire stone as the big toe for a baby boy or girl...and a mini graduation cap for when I complete my masters...i couldn't help but laugh...it was sweet and cute but it was going to end up costing a fortune!
I love it though...
I must have dozed off because Imraan woke me up saying we were at the hotel..i couldn't believe it! I didn't expect to find a hotel like this in Malawi...when Saleema said a 'nice' hotel I thought a decent kind if hut thing with running hot water, not modern 5 star accommodation...wow!
The room was stunning...the view, not so much!
We read zohar and freshened up, we had been invited to Saleemas home for lunch, I couldn't wait to finally meet her.
Once again, I was blown away...her home wasn't what I expected at all! It was modern, classy, tasteful...in stark contrast to the outside world.
As much as I was enjoying all the splendor and grandeur, I was starting to wonder if I would see the 'real' Malawi while here...the affluence of the Indian settlers was rather in your face.
Saleemas home was understandably busy...there were servants rushing to and fore and many people, I was hustled to a pink lounge while Imraan's was led away by a male servant. What seemed to be a Nanny was playing with a few children.
Finally a beautiful girl stepped into the lounge, I recognized her as Saleema from a picture Saleem had shown me, but the picture didn't do her justice. She was slim and very fair with beautiful hazel eyes...a Guji MiL would fall over herself for a DiL like this, except Saleema was not Surti, in the so called 'castings', she was Memon.
She smiled warmly as I rose from my seat and rushed forward to hug me in welcome. She was so friendly...
When she spoke, her voice was soft and low, her accent a cute mix
of almost Indian but not quiet...like everything else, she too, was a contrast.
I soon met her mum, who looked as if she stepped out of India in a simple panjabi and orni drapped elegantly. This was a culture so different from ours, yet we are all descendents of the same country.
Lunch was delicious, and quiet a feast...i was lost in the chattery around me, a mixture of Memon, English and Chichewa. The workers served the meal.
After lunch we returned to the hotel, Saleema had a hectic week planned for us, with pre wedding functions and touring...
I was so glad that Imraan also seemed eager to see the real Malawi.
today we did some local sight seeing, there wasn't much to see...Lilongwe might be the capital city but it isn't much.
I decided to catch up on some zzzzz's while Imraan went to catch up with Saleem, he and most of his family were staying at the same hotel, so there is enough South Africans around.
I am looking forward to a party Saleema invited me to tomorrow, some of her friends and family were getting together for some mischief making.
Tonight we had supper at a local Indian restaurant, the food was lovely and there was even a hookah lounge...i was amazed to see so many girls gathered around the pipes, puffing away...
Tomorrow, we have an early start, we visiting another city in Malawi called Blantyre.
This was turning into some trip...i was loving the culture shock!
Oh, but the reception here is so bad, some days a diary entry will have to be sacrificed...
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