Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Hello!
The photo with this blog is in Mozambique...I've not been there, but I have been to Lake Nyassa (aka Lake Malawi) and it looked a little like the photo. I went over this last weekend with a friend, Ed, who also needed a little time to recharge the batteries. We hired a car and driver rather than taking the local buses as Ed is disabled so we traveled in relative luxury. It took us 8 hours to get to Matema, leaving at 6am and stopping off in Mbeya for a tasty treat in a cafe named 'Cup Chino' (I love the name!). Having arrived at the Matema Beach View Lutheran Centre, we settled into our individual huts right on the beach. The huts even had running water! I was so happy even though it was a cold shower - heaven! It's amazing what things we all take for granted. The rest of the evening was spent relaxing with a cold coca-cola and lazing by the lake before a much needed early night.
The next two days by the lake were blissfully lazy. We lounged around on the beach looking across wonderfully blue waters, watching the local fisherman in dug out canoes go about their business and the locals wahing and brushing their teeth on the beach, all with the Livingstone Mountains surrounding us. The people who worked there were lovely and we often had a giggle, mostly about the enormous beetles and huge quantities of mosquitos we kept trying to swat! An added treat was having jam and toast for breakfast rather than fried madazi (a savoury type of doughnut) - brilliant! Every night I went to sleep listening to the sound of the waves lapping against the shore...am I making you all jealous yet?!
The drive back on Monday was long (9 1/2 hours), but the scenery was breathtaking. The first 2 hours were along a bumby dirt track where tiny mud huts were spread throughout vast numbers of banana trees and cocoa trees. It was great to see rural life go by with the children either shouting and waving madly at us or looking very confused to see a 'mzungu' (white person) in their territory. Once we finally reached the highway (aka a tarmac road) we worked our way across the African plains with a few mountains dotted around the place. A much needed stop at 'Cup Chino' and our driver buyng a full boot load of bananas for 50p broke up the journey. Although it was a long drive, I'm so pleased I went. It was a fantastic way to relax and I really savoured seeing more of the country.
I'm now back in Iringa and can't believe I only have two weeks left. My time here will be busy - I'm organising a 'Physio Day' which will take place on Saturday. It's a day for children with cerebral palsy and their families to learn more about the pathology, how physio and OT can help, advice on nutrition and safe drinking water, have the chance to play a few games and have professionals available to answer any questions they may have. It's been advertised on the radio and I believe it will get some TV coverage as well, which will be great. I just hope people turn up! I've also been visiting a day centre for disabled children and reviewing their progress. The kids are absolutely wonderful and so smiley, but it's really hard at times, as these children have so much potential, but there is just no help for them to get the proper care they need. I saw one baby who despite being 2 months old, still looked premature. She should never have left hospital, but there are just no resources for her to stay and get the treatment she needs. Another baby I took to the optometrist who diagnosed her as blind and needing specialist assessments in the capital, but again - where does the funding for this come from? It's really difficult, but there are lots of children who really benefit from the fascilities here, which is so wonderful to see.
I've really settled into African life here, learning the language (although I still don't understand most things!), getting use to the food (I actually requested rice and beans today!) and the people are just lovely. I learned the ways of making chapati with a Mercy's family so we'll see if I can remember the technique when I get home! I stayed the night at her house one night and it was ridiculous! I had a rice and dried fish for dinner (a favourite out here it seems) adn tucked myself into bed. I shared Mercy's double bed with her although in the end I had less than a quarter of the space! She sleeps with the room light on and her music on full blast, while positioning herself diagonally across the bed so I was left huddled up in the bottom corner without a pillow...! Needless to say I was pretty tired the following day.
On a yummier note, I've been introduced to a little restaurant that serves pizza! I must confess it's lovely to have some more familiar food once in a while :) I have been on a couple of night runs with a friend, Alfayo, that has been great fun but absolutely knackering as he never seems to get tired! Using squat toilets with severe muscle ache is hillarious! I've filled my weekends with all sorts including going to 'Riverside Campsite' where we lazed by the river, played on the swings, munched tasty food and planned a wedding list for Beatrice's friend. Everyone is so welcoming - Beatrice's fiance, Mussa, is really lovely and has called himself my big brother - he acts it too, which is so nice :)
Well, I think that about brings you all up to date with my African adventure so far. I'm so happy I've been able to come out here and help where I can - it's been a dream I've had for so long now. I'm really looking forward to exploring more of the country though and with only two weeks left before I do, I'm counting down the days! The two day bus trip to Nairobi will be an adventure in itself!
Lots of love as always and keep the messages coming :)
Isey
xxx
- comments