Lake Muhazi

Last weekend a friend invited a few people to stay at his house in Lake Muhazi. Two Land Cruisers filled with paraffin lamps and a few crates of beer later we found ourselves in paradise. Upon arrival I was instantly smacked with that feeling of 'oh my word, how am I possibly going to describe this beauty, this moment to people who have not experienced it directly'. The answer is I wont, pictures tell half the story and words even less...just take my word for it, it was breath taking.

Accommodation was pretty basic; a small room with a few beds and sleeping bags and a basic kitchen with no access to electricity (we used some USB chord which plugged the car into a machine and created power...still don't get how it worked). The house was situated slap bang on the river bed and the finely manicured garden accompanied by a long white jetty made me feel like I was in a wealthy American suburb...sightly odd sensation actually.

The day was spent playing volley ball, reading, fishing and swimming in the lake; the usual activities which accompany an idyllic setting. Soon the evening dawned upon us and the sky suddenly turned into a delicious canvas of orange and grapefruit - this was as African as it gets.For dinner we barbecued some fresh fish and the house keeper made some salads and other snacks. The night was spent in casual bliss, laughing, drinking and listening to the silence in between the quiet chatter.

The weekend left me feeling refreshed, alive and ready for the week. I couldn't help but indulge in thinking about my life in London. How much happier would we be as a nation if we had the chance to 'escape' once in a while; to create a space for stillness and thought?

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