Planet K Dot A

Though we volunteers are working hard to serve our community here and engage the people and culture of this place, we also need some recreation and fun time to energize our service. This Sunday, the school threw a going away party for Ryan Dugan, who left today after serving here for 14 months, and a welcome party for the four of us who are new to this place.

The party went smoothly and was quite enjoyable, concluding with a small amount of dancing and some cold beverages. As the dancing ensued, one of our fellow staff members suggested we go out to Planet after the party finished. Planet K Dot A is the one and only dance club in Karonga, and it is a place that the volunteers have enjoyed visiting with fellow members of staff.

After a quick run home for some food and hydration, we loaded up into a pick-up truck and drove into town. We arrived at Planet around 8:30 or 9PM, and after getting a few drinks, we took over the dance floor for the next three hours.

In my short time here, I've already developed a strong fondness for Malawian music, so I was happy to hear a good bit of it there, but the Planet also plays a good bit of American hits. For those of you from UD, you can picture Planet K Dot A as the equivalent of Tim's only a little bit cleaner, a little bit classier, and with mirrors all over the walls. (The mirrors proved to be a great deal of fun to dance with.) One other thing you will find at Planet K Dot A is the very forward Malawian men who are quite aggressive in dancing with Muzungus (white people), male or female. At times, it felt like a sporting event trying to dodge, distract, and displace the local dancers who were getting a bit too personal; nonetheless, it was a good time!

Below is a self-captured photo of Molly, our friend Chimwemwe(means Joy in Chichewa), and myself dancing in front of the mirrors.