Noddy in Malawi - day one/two/three

Well, it's probably similar to what I (and you) would imagine; but when it's in the flesh and in glorious Technicolor, it's almost overwhelmingly different and right-rubbing-your nose-in-it real.

I can't comment too much on Llongwe, as I flew in, got a cab to a hostel where I met Rosa and went pretty much straight away down to Salima for the weekend. What I will say, is it isn't exactly what you imagine when you picture a 'city'; there are industrial areas - but that's a couple of buildings surrounded by scrub and people farming, there's a centre - but that's literally a couple of banks and shops and offices, there's a grid system - but the blocks are randomly sized and numbered. In general, a fairly westernised town though, with markets, supermarkets, petrol stations etc.

The biggest shock of the day was leaving Llongwe on the way to Salima. The scenery is beautiful rolling hills of scrub, farmland and occasional settlements by the road side - at least until you get down to the lake. I couldn't really appreciate this though, as for someone of a safety-first, nervous disposition, Malawi's roads are just a little disconcerting shall we say. I'd heard of the road safety issues and seen video before coming, but it isn't until you whizz past someone walking on the edge of the road at 30+mph and they are a just a couple of feet away you realise the very real risks; a slight twitch by the driver, or a blind / idiotic pedestrian and it all goes horribly wrong very quickly. I saw the aftermath of a (i imagine fatal) accident in Llongwe on the first day... by the end of the journey to Salima, I would have happily given a limb if someone promised to build cycle and pedestrian lanes with barriers (I would love to do a CBA on that, it has to be one the most cost-effective uses of public money).

In Salima it has been very civilised staying at Jonny's house, which has most mod cons and a lodge next door and access to a lovely beach - basically, the perfect place to get over jet lag and get used to a new climate for a weekend, in a not-too-alien environment. It's been great to chill with Jonny and Rosa; much talk of Jonny's (very exciting) business adventure growing and processing mangos, what's going on at the centre, where I could get involved... and a fair old bit of Mario Kart too!

Next, it's on to a lodge in Nkhata bay for the week on Monday(handily placed to get buses to Mzuzu university and access to biogas knowledge J) and eventually the Phunzira (NYM) centre in Ruarwe next Sunday (via 14hour boat - could be a shocker). I'm pretty pleased with this for a first week, as its a nice gradual decrease in luxury, without a major shock - on the other hand, I am just itching to see the centre, get stuck in and understand the situation better, so it is a struggle sometimes to make myself appreciate the current luxuries, rather than looking forward.

In summary, all is well and I'm loving a beautiful country, even with its very obvious flaws.

Hope you are all well,

love,

Noddy

PS - They have excellent coffee, which was I admit, was a major concern before departure.

PPS - I've got a mobile which will work for the next week (+265996795666), but need to get another SIM for the North (to follow)

PPPS - I'm now in Nkhata bay, which is great, but will fill you in on that in another post..