Three days from now, I will be flying to Africa.
That’s definitely a sentence I never in a million years imagined I’d ever type. I mean, “three days from now, I will be flying to Des Moines to perform at a KC & the Sunshine Band convention” is a sentence I’ve imagined I’d one day type. “Three days from now, I will be flying to Mexico with my pet chicken Squiggy” is a sentence I’ve imagined I’d type. But never that Africa business. Never ever.
However, the wonderful people at ONE and Heifer International have invited me to join a group of writers and bloggers going to Malawi, Africa for a week. I’m still kind of in shock and hoping they don’t take a closer look at me before I get on the plane. Like, “Oh, wait. You’re the Manilow Cat Lover Wendi Aarons? The Wendi Aarons who just made a federal case out of her blonde highlights not turning out so well? The Wendi Aarons who often gets water and chardonnay confused? Please surrender your ticket immediately, you fool.” Cross your fingers they don’t Google me.
Some of you may remember that I had the privilege of attending the AYA Summit last fall with ONE, and much of what I learned about there will be what we see on the trip. Per the organizers, we’ll be “seeing the continent’s many challenges and success stories, and will learn about a variety of issue areas that play in Africa’s development.” Also, many people have asked me if ONE’s Bono will be going with us. Probably not. I mean, I assume he’s busy with his “band thing,” but you never know. Maybe one day when we’re touring a farm, he’ll pop up in a field of oats wearing his wraparound shades and leather pants and yell, “THE EDGE AND I HAVE ARRIVED! WHO’S READY TO ROCK?!! Wait. I think I need some Immodium.” It could happen.
One of the people going with me on this Africa trip is my Austin friend Meredith Walker who runs Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls at the Party. Meredith has a producing background, and that became evident when we were comparing notes last week:
Meredith: “What have you done to prepare for the trip?”
Me: “Well, I ordered some pants that zip off at the knee. What have you done?”
Meredith: “Oh, not much. I’ve read a few books about Malawi, watched some videos, met with local residents from Malawi and I’ve also been teaching myself the Chichewa language in case we get separated from the group.”
Me: “OK, but do you have pants that zip off at the knee?”
Of course I’ve had my vaccinations in preparation for the trip, and they honestly weren’t bad at all. I did opt to not get the rabies shot because I’m not planning on interacting with animals. “Yes,” my friend Mariana said, “but what if they plan on interacting with you?” She has a point. I often carry meat in my pockets.
The other thing I’m a little nervous about, besides the 18 hour flight, is the fact that Malawi is perhaps best known to some as the place where Madonna adopted her son David. Being a blonde of a certain age, I think I could easily be mistaken for her by people who don’t see visitors or blondes of a certain age very often. Of course, once those people notice that my arms are more like bingo wings than yoga muscles, I’ll be in the clear. I just hope I don’t have to sing “Material Girl” to get out of a jam. Maybe Bono will help out.
All that said, I’m beyond excited to learn about Malawi and the wonderful things Heifer and ONE are doing to help their communities. Please follow me on Facebook, Twitter (@wendiaarons) and Instagram (@wendiaarons) where I’ll be trying my best to post updates and pictures during the trip. Once I get back, I’ll for sure let you know what I learned and share a lot of pictures and stories. Not all of them involving my zip off pants, either.
Wish me luck!

Good luck Wendi. Have a great trip!
so so so so excited to travel with you! xoxo
It will be awesome. I can’t wait to hear about everything!
This trip is going to be amazing!! We are going to have an incredible adventure. Wait, am I not going?
Hi Wendi,
I’m in Cape Town, South Africa, about 3880 km from Malawi – 43 hours away, tops, according to Google Maps. If I stole a fully loaded, fueled up 4×4 and a 12-pack of energy drinks, I could be there in about 4 days (barring any border hold=ups), so let me know if the Bono thing falls flat and you need extraction.
I hope you enjoy every second of it!! Africa is an amazing place. And those pants that zip off at the knee are great, I have a pair 🙂
Have a lovely trip!
Ri
Good luck and I hope it’s life transforming. I’m very envious of your experience.
My brother-in-law went there a few months ago, Congo/Central Africa, on a religious mission trip. Obviously this is a much different deal.
I hope your stories are awesome.
I know this wasn’t me being a Pip to your Gladys, but I am wearing orange,
Wow, that’s awesome. And maybe it won’t be as hot as Texas…
You and Madonna have two things in common – zip off pants. Except hers zip off at the crotch.
I am so excited for you!!
Sure, Marinka gets credit for the rabies shot. But when you step on a rusty African nail with your freshly tetanus-vaccinated foot, you’ve got ME to thank.
(I am so excited for you. Commencing to living vicariously now. Be safe, have fun, I miss you already.)
If Bono shows up, we are all expecting to see lots of selfies. Whether he agrees to them or not. And just before the animals decide to interact with you.
Very exciting – have a terrific trip. Hoping to enjoy it through your photographic retelling.
Bring Immodium. I mean…you will have the most amazing, life-changing experience. I cannot wait to hear all about it from your always wonderful perspective. Travel safely!
How exciting! I can’t wait to read all about your experiences!
I”m so excited for you. This is going to be a life-changing experience!
And I’m expecting a lot from your writing, Malawi Wowie.
Do they have Bravo in Malawi? Meredith probably has not planned for this but may be in the closet on loving that Bethanny is back on RHNYC. If you can’t get it maybe you can slingblade to my DVR. Best of everything!!!!! xoxoxo
This is going to be such a life-changing experience – I can’t wait to hear all about it!
I’m late to this post but good luck and since’s it’s mother’s day I’ll say Happy Mother’s Day and share with you words of advice my mother always gives me: wear the sunscreen with the high SPF.