Separated From my Life Companion

Prologue 2

We've been through so much together. We wrote together, captured beautiful moments, traveled to distant lands and even survived the deadliest cracks in our relationship. Then the incident happened.

I had managed to travel roughly 19 hours and 25 minutes with no problem and then the plane landed… Eager to get off the plane and on to Malawi soil, I had placed my phone on the empty seat next to me. Not just any phone. This was my Samsung S4, whose default lock screen has the words “Life Companion” written across it. I never bothered to change it because honestly I just don’t care that much. Little did I know how true these words are. The abrupt landing sent my little life companion hurtling towards the floor of the plane and sliding forward. “That is slightly annoying, but I do not feel much anxiety or concern over this matter” I thought to myself; knowing that I’d awkwardly have to crawl on the floor, probably between people’s legs, to get it. It couldn't have gone far, considering I was two rows behind a massive divider that it would surely hit. WRONG. After searching for about 15–20 mins and getting some other passengers and staff on the job, we came up with nothing. I couldn't understand. Either this phone had full on disappeared or someone was incredibly fast and stealthy when they stole it.

Having now left the plane and greeted by my worried new friends (they were unsure as to whether I got on the plane), I gave the small airport my details in case the phone popped up. By this time I had a smidgen of faith left, but had conceded that it was probably opportunistically stolen. That is, until the next day when I was informed by Mum back in the UK that Johannesburg airport have my phone. What? That means it must have gone from Blantyre to Nairobi and finally to Jo’burg, all the while remaining hidden and not stolen! Perhaps it was the small crack in the top left of the screen or maybe the fear of God was imparted on it, I don’t know. All I can say is I’m thankful to the cleaner who handed it in. The owner of the orphanage I’m working in happens to be flying through Jo’Burg in a week or so from now, so she’ll pick it up there. I’m looking forward to being reunited!

When I lost the phone I wasn't that miffed about it to be honest. I thought to myself, perhaps I’ll have an epiphany of the joys of living more simply and more “in the moment.” Nope. It’s called Life Companion for a reason. Whether we like it or not, we all heavily rely on smartphones. Since being here, I've realised how much it does for me. It’s my clock, calendar, alarm clock, calculator, torch, camera (hence no pictures yet), music player, whatsapp machine, evernote maker, truly portable (unlike my bulky laptop) internet device and more. The last week has taught me that smartphones are great and especially when you’re travelling.

Right, I’ll start writing about what I’m actually doing in Malawi now I promise

p.s. the door in the Nairobi airport was just a smoking room — extremely underwhelming