Lake Malawi

Lake Malawi proved to be the first Ahhhh location of the trip. We spent 5 nights camping at the beach, listening to the waves, and simply relaxing. For the first time since leaving the States, I felt like I was on vacation.

The lake proved to be a unique location in that it combined Surfable waves, white sand beaches, and fresh water (gotta love the fresh water). In the mornings the water would have 3-4 foot waves and in the evening it would become a sheet of glass.

The people of Malawi have been the poorest we've met thus far, but on the surface, the happiest. Every child runs after our truck waving like there's no tomorrow. There has also been a change in the begging that occurs here. While children in other countries ask for money or sweets, kids in Malawi ask for pens. The communities have associated education with advancement, and thus a better life, and the kids beg for pens so they can contribute at school. Of course, I ran across the one child that had the gall to say "Give me biscuit, Give me biscuit or I kill you!". It was a hit with us and became a running joke for the rest of Africa. In the kid's defense, he WAS wearing a Chelsea Football Club jersey so he's probably been corrupted by Londoners.

The highlight of our time here, besides the relaxing on the beach, was the day Julian, Ian, Nigel and I decided to hike to Livingstonia. We were told it was a 4 hour return hike with beautiful scenery and something we will never forget. It was crap. 8+ Hours and 30+ km later, the four of us staggered back into camp completely Knackered (Knackered is British for exhausted, learned that on the trip). The worst part about the whole affair was the lack of climax when we reached Livingstonia. Livignstonia was a community developed by the British missionary explorer John Livingstone and Blah, Blah, Blah. It was crap. It was a tiny town on a hill in the middle of nowhere. The museum was 2 rooms and took 3 minutes to complete. It was Crap. We were so disappointed in the trip that several of us refused to take pictures out of protest. I snapped the following shot and glad I did, it looks so amazing that I can lie to myself and tell me it was worth the agonizing trip.

As if the dull walk and depressing heat wasn't enough to completely dash our spirits during the hike, insult was added to injury by this little girl. As I was huffing and puffing my way up the hillside, this 6 yearold decided to walk with us. This 6 year old decided to walk with us with her sister on her back. This 6 year old decided to walk faster when I tried to escape my shame and get ahead of her. This 6 year old was tougher than the lot of us.

Malawilased ajasid meie lipu varvi jarjekorra sassi!

Malawi oli ilus ja huvitav riik, mille pinnast 20 % moodustas jarv.
Malawi oli yks vaesemaid riike, kus koolis ei olnud ei laudu ega toole.
Vaga vahestel oli natuke paberit ja moned pastakad. Kui tavaliselt lapsed jooksid meile jargi hyydes"Mzungu, mzungu (valge inimene) anna mulle kommi, anna mulle raha", siis siin palusid nad pastakaid.

Majad olid ehitatud korkjatest ja tellistest, mida nad ise valmistasid.


Mehed vedasid koikvoimalikku kraami ratastel nagu telliskive, juurvilju, puid, vett jne. Naised tegid seda sama kuid asju kandsid nad peal, samal ajal kui beebi oli ratiga kinnitatud seljal. Osad vee ambrid olevat isegi 40 l. -ytles yks kohalik opetaja, naidates tynni parandal. Ta kysis kas ma tahan ka proovida, kuid ma otsustasin kergemate asjade ja beebi kasuks.

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