Sarah in Malawi

katlynsaley
Jan 20, 2016
4 min read

As some of you may know, I was blessed this January with the presence of my best friend. I called her my late Christmas gift, arriving in Malawi on December 29th, but definitely one worth waiting for. Sarah stayed in Malawi for a little more than 3 weeks, and in that time we had so many fun adventures together. It surely didn’t seem like 3 weeks as we were always doing something and seeing some place new. We visited my home stay family, my friend Sammy’s site in Mzimba district, we went to Mayoka Lodge for New Years on the lake shore in Nkhata Bay, we spent time in my village in Salima, did a night in Mzuzu, hiked to waterfalls at Mushroom Farm, visited my friend Tally and Paul in Karonga, and spent our final days eating pizza in Lilongwe. (You all should really look at a map, because when you do you’d see the miles we piled on in the three weeks she was here). However, in it all, all the adventures, and go go go, it was really just about the quality time I was able to spend with my best friend. I think some of my favorite nights were ones we just spent in the village chatting together by candlelight (or maybe I have just become a dirty village child who loves nights in the village haha). Anyways, below I wrote a post about the build up of getting to see Sarah. Instead of talking about each experience we had in detail I thought this might be a little fun for my readers to know exactly how I felt during this whole process, filled with anticipation. I also added some pictures to the bottom so you could see our adventures instead of read about them. I hope you enjoy :)

The Stages of Getting to See Your Long-Distance Best Friend and SOULMATE After Going 9 months, 26 days, 5 hours, and 21 minutes, alone without her.

1. She Says She’s Coming, But Will She Actually

You both talk about how much you miss each other, and how she really wants to visit, but until the plane ticket is bought you try not to get too excited.

***Key word being TRY.

2. She Bought a Plane Ticket

Wow, it’s really happening. Crying. Then smiling a lot. And then more crying.

“Well it's official, I get to see my best friend in 89 days! Too excited for words! Africa round two with my soulmate.” – Sarah Strong

3. She’s REALLY Coming

Omgosh….What if we hate each other after not seeing each other for so long?!? She’s spending a month here. What if she hates village life? Can’t handle pooping in a chim? Doesn’t like nsima? A month is a really long time!

“‘4 lbs of siratcha, freshly made qdobass, and 150 lbs of Sarah they're on their way to Malawi. This may be the best day ever’ - Katlyn Saley. I'm coming for ya best friend, see you soon!” –Sarah Strong

4. Realize that couldn’t be possible and jump around with excitement instead

5. Plan The Meet Up

You prepare a 30 second dance party to Taylor Swift Songs, have an expectation of lots of tears, and embrace yourself for the best BFF hug of your relationships’ life.