Wow welcome to the warm heart of Africa - Malawi

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I truly believed I’d have nothing interesting to write about until I settled in and perhaps started working. I couldn’t have been more wrong, after 3 very long boring, cold and very uncomfortable flights I’m plunged into the ways of Malawi! I have to say I didn’t enjoy my journey here because it was my first time travelling alone so I was extremely anxious. I didn’t realise how much until I met Gentry, who I will be working, and his big friendly smile and warm welcome made me breath a huge sigh of relief.



He said that we were to travel by private vehicle to the bus depot to catch public transport. The bus depot is a where buses stop on the side of a sandy road.



Clapped out mini buses (approx the size of a VW camper van) pass and after deep discussion they decided which one they can fit us in. My luggage is placed in the hatch and it’s tied shut with rope around the window wiper! At the last count there were around 24 adults and 4 kids crammed in.



Buses won’t leave until they are full beyond capacity so we waited a little while. Then away we go…the gentleman is pushing the bus along to jump start it. It started, just, and the man pushing jumped in and slammed the door and it came off its hinges – back to square one.



We managed about 25 % of the journey at about 20 miles per hour on average and eventually it cuts out completely. We are asked to get off and look for another bus. Another bus stops, they agree to squash us in. We didn’t get going again until a further 10 minutes or so because there was a significant disagreement and a little pushing and shoving regarding what portion of our fare should be handed over!



Every time we stop (which is constantly) to squash more people in, the town’s people stuff chips (the fried kind), bbq corn on the cob, water and a range of fruit, veg and other produce through the window. You politely say no thanks and they leave you alone and say thank you back. That’s a refreshing change. You could literally do your shopping without ever getting off the bus!



Then the driver decides he’s driven far enough and chucks us off again in the middle of a town. My baggage is promptly taken off the bus and 5 men start playing tug of war with it, shouting at each other. There are about 5 buses waiting for passengers. Then my baggage is split and half goes one way and half the other. “Gentry you follow my case, I’m off to get my hand luggage!”



I said to Gentry I can’t believe my luggage has made it safely from the UK to Malawi airport but it may not make it to Kasungu!



So we’ve now accomplished around 50% of our journey and the bus we’re on turns back towards the city to go and get fuel!!! (I daren’t ask why they didn’t get it when they passed). When we get there, we’re turned away. So they do the sensible thing and take a chance. Guess what? Time to flag down another bus.



I won’t bore you with the rest. To summarise a 90 minute drive took 4 hours and I actually lost count of how many buses we used.



I actually really enjoyed the trip (for the first 2 hours)! I felt relaxed with Gentry who laughed for the first two hours then eventually started to complain how bored he was. I decided to stop asking ‘are we there yet!’ So in for a penny in for a pound! I’ve been launched in at the deep end (I hope).

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Photos

Bus journey
The bus half full

Bus breaks down
Chucked off the bus waiting for the negotiations to begin