Blogs from Malawi, Africa - page 4

The first stage of any long trip is the packing process. This time, I had decided in the spring that I would be returning to Salt Spring and leaving for Africa from there. This turned out to be an error as we decided to stay at West Hawk Lake until the end of September where we enjoyed what turned out to be a wonderful stretch of warm fall weather except for the last few days. This meant that I would be leaving for Africa from Winnipeg and I was missing a few basic necessities (such as luggage) I ended up buying a canoe bag (MEC Scully 100) which will be good for canoe camping as well as GV travel. Closing the cabin is always easier when you can spread it out over a long period of ... read more

The morning after arriving back in Malawi I met a nurse from London and we went to explore the city of Lilongwe for the day. We got around by tuktuk and local minibuses and visited the beautiful Lilongwe wildlife centre and had a nice lunch there. We then chilled in the hostel for the evening (with the resident rats of the hostel. True story). I met lots of other people who were finishing their travels in Malawi, so was able to get lots of hints and tips. The morning I was leaving Lilongwe, my roommate was attacked by the resident Rhodesian ridgeback which the owner didn't seem to take much notice of. So if you plan to visit Lilongwe, I wouldn't recommend this hostel! My next adventures would start with the journey to Cape Maclear, Lake ... read more

Our next destination is Malawi, the warm heart of Africa! We are camping in the shores of lake Malawi, which involves a big drive from Tanzania! Very soon after crossing the border into Malawi we noticed that the people here are indeed very friendly, every child runs shouting hello and waving at the truck, and even some adults too. If we see them to wave back they often switch to a double handed extremely enthusiastic wave! On our first morning we had the opportunity to visit the local witch doctor. This was definitely worth the money simply for the entertainment factor! We had a short walk to the local village, accompanied by a group of villagers, where we were sat upon a bench hastily assembled from some planks of wood and locally made bricks. We were ... read more

Week 13th November to 17th Baptism by encroaching insects when I got back to Sam's Village. The rains are nearly here, so everything is trying to get inside. I sprayed Doom by the front door step, and I think it made everything that was under the wooden step come inside. Large ants were streaming in, and a couple of biggish spiders and beetles too. The safest place was under the mosquito net. The next morning outside both front and back doors were millions of long thin translucent wings, and large queen ants trying to get hidden before the children came round to pick them up - they're apparently quite a delicacy, but I think I'll pass on it. I was just sweeping them out as fast as possible. This week I'm determined to cook for myself, ... read more

Yesterday I met Libitina, the girl I'm supporting through secondary school at Chikhutu School. She is 18 now, and hopes to go on to university to be a journalist. She is a lovely girl. Two years ago she was in the girls’ group that Shelby, the Peace Corps volunteer was working with. Shelby said she always had something to say, and encouraged the other girls to speak too. The head teacher said she works hard in class, and her results are very good. I also met Petro, who is a lad I worked with at M’teza school two years ago, and a friend of mine is now supporting him through secondary school. He wants to be a doctor. Gift, Landirani's monitoring and evaluation manager, gave me a lift there on his motor bike. It was brilliant ... read more