Malawi

My trip to Malawi got off to a stressful start after a flight delay left me making my connection in Nairobi with only minutes to spare. Fortunately, things became much more relaxed once I arrived. By African standards, Malawi felt remarkably peaceful.

I began by exploring the capital, Lilongwe, with a local taxi driver. After driving around the city, we wandered through the local market on foot in the pouring rain. As we walked, he told me his dream was to send his son to university, but that on his income, it often felt impossible. At the end of the day, I gave him an extra $20, all that I had on me at the time, to help support that dream. Seeing him moved to tears was a powerful reminder that even a small act of generosity can mean something entirely different depending on where you are in the world.

From Lilongwe, I took a day trip to Cape Maclear on the shores of Lake Malawi, a laid-back lakeside village that serves as one of the country’s most popular holiday destinations. Families relaxed along the beach, children played in the water, and life seemed to move at a much slower pace. It was one of the most peaceful places I visited anywhere in Africa, and a side of the continent that many people rarely think about. I’m glad I had the chance to experience it.