http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Malawi/Central/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Africa , Malawi , Central en-us Sun, 19 May 2013 02:33:15 +0000 Sun, 19 May 2013 02:33:15 +0000 Once Mum had left Malawi we spent a couple of days in Lilongwe working hard. We cleaned the whole house sweeping mopping washing bedding killing insects wiping shelves cleaning dishes. I also cooked some very yummy dinners including polenta and beans and vegetable curry and rice. Then we washed a whole heap of clothes hoping they wouldn39t get rained on. And after all this we were ve http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Malawi/Central/Lilongwe/blog-770841.html After a year I39m back in MalawiAnd I39m very happy to be here.It has been wonderful to catch up with everyone here in Malawi after not seeing them for a year. And it feels nice to be back in this environment where there is so much going on so much to see listen to people to talk to...Mum and I arrived in Zambia two weeks ago now and stayed in Lusaka for our first couple of days. We s http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Malawi/Central/Lilongwe/blog-764581.html So yesterday was my last day and I was woken with a call at around 6.30am to tell me that the taxi driver had managed to find fuel and did I want to go to the airport via taxi. In an instant I said yes It was the right decision when I stepped out of the hotel there was a huge queue of traffic. Word had got out there was petrol in the pumps People were literally pushing their cars along in the http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Malawi/Central/Kasungu/blog-760067.html Every time I finish a blog entry I think Ill not have much to write about next time and then life happens in MalawiSo what happens to a thief in KasunguI accompanied Charles on his way to obtain a second signature on a cash withdraw slip as I needed to go to the bank too to withdraw yet more cash to pay for my accommodation.As we left the office I could hear lots of children singing very lo http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Malawi/Central/Kasungu/blog-759781.html http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Malawi/Central/Kasungu/blog-758876.html I feel full of beans this week It was clearly heat exhaustion that I suffered last week and thankfully Ive made a full and rapid recovery Im settled into a nice little routine and I am extremely comfortable here in Kasungu Malawi.FRIENDLY POLITE AND EXTREMELY KIND is how I would describe Malawians. I know Ive said it before but its such a pleasure to meet and exchange greetings w http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Malawi/Central/Kasungu/blog-758316.html SMILE I39ve had a much needed rest this weekend I was clearly suffering heat exhaustion and now I39ve started to eat again thank fully. I reckon I39ve lost at least half a stone as my trousers are just hanging in thereCRY the hotel contact me to tell me I can39t stay after Thursday as the hotel is fully booked. They didn39t tell me this when I checked in and told them which date http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Malawi/Central/Kasungu/blog-757589.html Anybody who knows me well knows I wear my heart on my sleeve.What a week I havent written anything since Tuesday because Ive not had Internet access of course but also because Ive been really quite ill. Ive been suffering heat exhaustion and also Im sure Im having a reaction to my Malaria medication. Ive been extremely weak and unable to eat and sleep. The heat has been un http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Malawi/Central/Kasungu/blog-757360.html Its unfortunate that Ive not been able to get a dongle so youre going to get these blogs all in one go Woke this morning to no electricity and water Surprise Also gasping for a drink as they ran out of bottled water last night. I hear the tap water is fine if there is any if not get get it from a bore hole so I dont want to take any chances. I was served breakfast cornflakes and http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Malawi/Central/Kasungu/blog-757357.html Im writing in the evening we still have no electricity and havent had water all day. Thankfully theyve put on a generator for a couple of hours which allows us some charging of devices and cooking Im not the only one wanting to charge devices Erin has 3 mobile phones I did ask why but didnt really get a response Still no water though L Today I was going to wash clothes so that http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Malawi/Central/Kasungu/blog-757355.html Gentry and Blessings found me the best resthouse to stay in. When I said I really liked it I heard Blessings breath a sigh of relief. Its an example of how hospitable and caring they really are. Its very clean and well presented. Erin the guest house lady is so very welcoming and kind. Although Ive learnt not to trust anything thats attached to a wall Oh and having power is a privile http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Malawi/Central/Kasungu/blog-757353.html I truly believed Id have nothing interesting to write about until I settled in and perhaps started working. I couldnt have been more wrong after 3 very long boring cold and very uncomfortable flights Im plunged into the ways of Malawi I have to say I didnt enjoy my journey here because it was my first time travelling alone so I was extremely anxious. I didnt realise how much unti http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Malawi/Central/Kasungu/blog-757350.html I thought I39d start my blog by telling you about the roller coaster of emotions I39ve experienced leading up to my new adventure Yes my teeth really have been chattering I39ve always had a strong desire to help others and since surviving breast cancer 6.5 years ago yes the half makes a difference I39ve also developed a strong desire for new experiences and adventure. Basically liv http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Malawi/Central/Kasungu/blog-755382.html In the final few days of my trip and have been really busy after recovering from the unplanned for hospital stay being treated for malaria can39t believe this happened of all my preparations I think I paid most attention to health but consider myself initiated into Malawian life and the stronger for it. The care and consideration that I have had from the people here has been remarkable inclu http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Malawi/Central/blog-753257.html I can39t believe that I have now been away for almost four weeks. Whilst I miss home family and friends and have found myself longing for the cool cleaAdair of Aberdeenshire more than once time is flying by and I will be sad to leave my new African friends when the time comes.On the Friday of my second week I spent a day with Johns Zkosiones of the CHurch Elders visiting Mvungoti ward to see http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Malawi/Central/blog-750780.html Today was a sad day at M39buka Church as Vasco led his last service before the ceremony took place to decommission him in preparation for his moving to his new Church next week.The strengthening of the congregation and development work that has been undertaken in the 3 years that has been at M39buka is a remarkable achievement in any circumstances. The congregation has grown to over 5000 fr http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Malawi/Central/blog-748271.html Almost at the end of my second week the time has flown and I have done so much had so many new and incredible experiences it is hard to know where to start but a highlight of this week has been a visit to the Mission for Hope crisis nursery was a highlight. The nursery cares for babies in crisis where the family are unable to care for them some have been abandoned or their mothers have died i http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Malawi/Central/blog-748095.html Friday 21st Sunday 23rdWe drive through Salima a prosperous looking town on the west side of Lake Malawi to Cool Runnings a site opening onto the sand in Monkey Bay. We39re right on the beach by the lake which looks like a sea stretching to the horizon with gentle waves lapping on the sand. To the left is the fishing village where the men mend their nets to the right women do their washi http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Malawi/Central/Lilongwe/blog-747525.html We took turns to help the cooks Sinai and Kinessa two women from the local village with the lunchtime meal for all the workers. I was ok at chopping onions and tomatoes and then went with one of the women to the borehole 500 yards away. We waited our turn and pumped the lever up and down to fill the large bucket then Kinessa helped put it on my head. I had a small scarf to twist into a circle http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Malawi/Central/Lilongwe/blog-747405.html 8th September to 29th SeptemberIt is my first Aid Camp International trip and it won39t be my last. This is Aid Camp39s first time in Malawi too and they are working with the Landirani Trust a local Non Governmental Organisation supporting orphans to build a Community Building Chidren39s Centre CBCC about 30 km from Lilongwe.The Centre has been built using a newly recognised method http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Malawi/Central/Lilongwe/blog-747103.html