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StAcEy'S SpEcTaCuLaR SuMmEr
Hey All!
I recognise that the site is a little piss-poor (potty mouth) , bu it's quite difficult to get to, to update. So where am I now? Well, we are still in Malawi, but we will be crossing the border to Zambia, today. We are currently in the city centre, with furture plans to have pizza at Luch - a rare commodity, when all we eat are salad sandwiches.
We have stayed along the shores of lake Malawi, for the last few nights, which has been rather relaxing, and really an exper4eince into the African culture. The first day at Kande beach, the last campsite we satyed at, Ruth and i went horseriding. It was a pleasant walk amongst the local village, and forest, but the best was saved until the end. We got to ride the horses bare-back into the Lake. V.cool. The horses went all the way in, and even began to swim, which was a rather strange sensation, but definitely worth it. All I can say, is that Lady who rode the horse bare-backed and naked, was very brave and no doubt in a considerable amount of pain. It was really a fantastical experience as the sun was setting, riding therough the lake and the horse breying in the water. I was lucky when we came out, as Ruth's horse decided to drop on the shoreline and roll around - let's just say she made a fast escape. I doubt I have bilharzia, which is a worm that gets into your toenails and grows inside you, as the water is quick-moving where we were, and there were no reported cases. Here's hoping!
The next day we went for a village walk in town. It was very informative, if not a little depressing. The kids, all 1500, are taught by 10 teachers, the hospital had had no medicine in stock for the last 2 months. This meant that if any of the 40,000 village population got sick with malaria, they would be destined to death, as no hospitals in the whole of Malawi have any anti-malarial drugs as the goverment has no money. A little depressing! We got to meet the sons of the Village Chief, who informed us of the political structure, and the problems that Malawi faced - rather alot. Of they haven't got enough going on, the whole country suffers from high levels of corruptions - bit s***. It was an eye-opener. Whilst walking amongst the village we were jumped upon by a whole load of kids, who wanted to hold a Mzungu (white persons) hand and potnetially get your plastic bottle from you. The bottles are collected for paraffin and for collecting water. There were loads of them, all very energertic, most malnutritioned, but all still very happy. We also had some of the older boys, the students that try to sell you their crafts walkign with us. They mainly wanted to chat to improve thir English, and through them we learnt quite a bit more about the country, which people like to keeop under - wraps. Malawi, has been the most friendly place I have visited so far.
In the afternoon, we went to the village football game, where we tried to watch the Kande Beach play, but Ruth and I were mauled by around 25 kids. All very sweet. It was pretty tough trying to entertain them all, but we did our best! hehehe. They all seemed fascinated by the eyebrow piercing, which became a bit of a probem, whn they started trying to play with it - mmmm....
In the evening, we went for a Villlage meal at the Chief's house. Let's just say, the cuisine wasn't as nice than anticipated. The ssweet potato soup was lovely, but the cold beans, and the bread that smelt like the kids, was uneatable! Bit grossed out. After dinner, a group of kids, sang some traditional songs, and did some dancing with us. I think we got them a little over-excited, as when we left you could only hear kids giggling, whcih was bad as they were trying to put them to bed.
It was a really good day! Got to see alot about Malawi, which you don't expereince when your on the truck driving, adn driving and driving...
We left Kande beach yesterday,a dn drove to Lilongwe, which took 5 hours ...mmmm.... Tody we're drivgn for another 300km across the border to the camp the next day. We have another 2 days of constant driving, and then we reach Victoria Falls. I don't know how good interent access will be, or whether I will be able to get on it, so the next time you shall hear from me will no doubt be another week.
Hope everyone is well!! I shall see you all soon! Lots of love. Stacey. x
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