Uniform Kindness

We were ‘out and about’ in Lilongwe today when we were pulled over by the Malawi police. This happens often. The officer saluted smartly and asked Ron for his driver’s license. No problem! Ron always has it in his pocket!

Mmmmm ….. problem. It had been soaked in rain yesterday and was laying on our bedside table drying out! 

‘So sorry sir – it is at our house just around the corner. We will go back and get it.’

‘What kind of driver’s license is it? It is an offence in Malawi not to carry your license.’

‘We appreciate that and we are very sorry sir. We both have international driving licenses. Can Lauris show you her license?’

Surprisingly, he agreed. She pulled a photocopy of both of our licenses.

We asked  ‘Would you like us to pay a fine?’

The officer reiterated – ‘It is my his job to enforce the law.’

And then he smiled broadly saying  ‘Since you are so organized and wise to carry the copies, you may continue your journey.’

One more big warm Malawian smile and we were on our way.  

Malawian kindness in uniform.

We did not ‘push our luck’ by asking him if we could take his photo!

The Shortcut Home

According to our friend Larry, it’s always a good idea to check if there are tire tracks on the road less travelled… sometimes there is a good reason that you have the road to yourself!

Take Friday for example! We were on a shortcut in a remote area when we found the reason!  There was a bit of a gap on the roadway…. only about 10 feet wide and 4 feet deep but enough to slow us down!

Backtracking was an option but it was not our choice. There was a ‘guy gang’ with hand tools attacking the cave-in…… not that they could possibly repair the hole any time soon but they were anxious to help us. 

We analyzed the best was forward.  The trail going of to our right seemed like a good start. Then it was a left turn through the bush .. then the challenging bit …  how to get down the bank. This is where the work crew came in -  they threw their energy into digging a ramp and throwing rocks in the ditch.  

 Through Ron’s  masterful aiming, the Hilux slid down the bank and onto the road “on the other side” …  no problem. Some cash for the workers was in order. Larry had them all laughing by offering to divide the bills by the rip and tear method.  We left them to decide how to share the bounty.

 $9 well spent!

More Snaps

drying racks for sardines 

the setting sun at Senga Bay

not exactly the big five but wildlife none the same 

Mr Lizard in the sunshine!

Squirrel frozen hoping he could be invisible

fishing nets - Ron's wonderful photo.

good advice

the restaurant at the Red Zebra Guest House

Next to the Red Zebra is a tropical fish  

business which sends fish from Lake Malawi all around the globe.

A large shipment had just been sent to China. 

We hope to re-visit this spot when there see more varieties of stock.

Snaps of Malawi

We have learned that pictures are called snaps by the locals. So here are some snaps of Malawi.

Our house is a very very fine house! We love it! 

We have plumbing and hot water in the shower 

which we carry to the kitchen to do dishes. 

Correction - Ron carries it! 

Senga Bay Beach

A typical boat which carries lanterns for night fishing 

to direct the larger boats in finding sardines. 

These boats go out again in the daylight to catch larger fish.

The Senga Bay Fishing Fleet.

Mr Ron

Sardines for eating and for bait.

local acrobat!

Beach football -  the dust bowl?

The river at Mua is a busy place for locals to bath and do laundry.

women at work

There are lots of granite  'mountains' like this one - stunning,

enormous root systems 

This fascinating tree loses leaves in the rainy season and  

regains them in the dry season 

offering protection from the harsh sun. 

The trees also add nitrogen to the soil.

 It is called a faidherbia albide or Msangu tree. 

Once a tree is three years old it gives enough nitrogen to the soil that fertilizer is not needed for the crops. 

 

A maize field using conservation farming - holding in moisture and keeping weeds at bay. 

These fellows led the way  to the highway!  

Amazing balancing act!

Their bikes are not substantial and most have no brakes! 

Do not try this at home!

Our silence from blogging is simply because we are busy!

 We hope to write more soon!