A little over 30 years ago, I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Blantyre, Malawi, working as a Town Planner. I got assigned to Malawi, which is not in the jungle. I was placed in the industrial capital, Blantyre, a city of about 400,000. I had two counterparts, Luka and Nkoma.

Our office had their desks and mine, and I sat across from their two desks. It was a very plain, austere room. Mostly, what we did was review plans and get stop orders to take down illegal developments.

One day, Nkoma didn’t come in to work until 9:30. He plopped down at his desk, sighed, and looked at me. He looked disgusted. “What happened?” I asked.

“My roommate’s girlfriend’s uncle came to town, and it was party all night and I had to give up my bed and didn’t get any sleep.”

“Why did you have to give up your bed?” I asked, inferring that the roommate and girlfriend should have given up their bed.

“He’s an elder. It would have been rude if I hadn’t.”

The next day, Nkoma was late again. He looked demoralized. “When’s he leaving?” I asked.

“I don’t know.”

“Would you like to stay with me? I have an extra bedroom.”

“No, that would be rude to him.”

The next day, Nkoma was late again, and his expression…. “What?” I asked.

“They were partying all night, and when I got up, I find this guy passed out, and he had vomited all over my bed.”

I gasped.

Luka responded, “Ah, yes. It’s a serious inconvenience when someone vomits in your bed.”

I looked from Luka to Nkoma. “A serious inconvenience?” I asked, incredulous.

They both looked at me. Nkoma said, “Yes. What would you say?”

Bummer was what came to mind. The next day, Nkoma was on time, smiling. “What happened?” I asked.

“I guess he realized that he had overstayed his welcome. He cleaned up and left.”

People were always asking me how I liked Malawi. I told them I was learning a lot. The most important thing I learned is the difference between a problem, an inconvenience, and a ‘serious inconvenience.’

 

Robyn Michaels is a retired dog groomer who lives on the north side of Chicago. She writes fiction and nonfiction. Her most recent book, “The Pleasure Seeker,” literary fiction, is available on various platforms.