Final Post (probably)!

So, here I am, still in Lilongwe, but almost done.  The placement is all over, the workshop completed.  I've been interviewed for radio, and listened back to myself (slightly less cringe worthy than I expected but still very odd).  I've travelled almost certainly more than most Malawians ever will and completely fallen in love with Malawi.  OK, so 4 months is hardly long enough to really know a place, and I am ashamed at how little Chichewa I've learned.  There have been quite a few frustrations and I will never get used to those children who on seeing me, or any other white person, hold out their hands and say, quite simply “give me money”.  But that is learned behaviour; too many white people before me have done just that.

Pat arrives tomorrow, no doubt completely exhausted after working way too hard whilst I have been here.  On Saturday we leave for a 10 day tour of Central/Northern Malawi.  There is so much to see here I struggled to decide where to take him.  In 10 days we can’t do it justice.  In the end the beauty of the Lake heading North from here won over the more commercialised (by Malawi standards) Southern Lakeshore.  I toyed with safari and was sorely tempted to head for Mulanje and climb Malawi’s highest mountain, but we will have to come back for that.  I was also tempted by Zambia and the highly acclaimed South Luangwa, even Vic Falls, but all that will have to wait.

We are starting with the wonderful Cool Runnings and the exceptional Samantha – she runs her business in order to make money for community projects and is a complete inspiration.  Her spot on the Lake in Senga Bay was my first glimpse of the Lake and where I really began to see what can be done with a lot of determination and selflessness. 

Then on to the wilderness of Tongole in Nkhotakota for our bit of real luxury – still Eco, of course – then more Lake further North and hopefully Livingstonia, if the weather allows.  The rains have begun.  There was a huge electric storm on Monday which brought down quite a few trees in the centre of town, yesterday was the first day I have felt cool for weeks.  Today we have returned to blue skies, but Livingstonia is only really accessible in a car rather than a 4x4 if it is dry, and in any case, my main reason for going are the breath-taking views on clear days.

Looking back, what are my lasting images?  Lots of laughter, some great friends on and outside my compound, the inspirational people I have met, the different perspective I hope I will carry with me in my life back home.  The wonderful welcome Malawians offer, the lovely, lovely Lake and its many different faces. Nyika, Liwonde, the Zomba plateau, …  I could go on, and on.

I have missed all the people I love back home, and am very much looking forward to seeing everyone, although I'm not looking forward to being cold again!  But I know I will really miss this place, it has definitely got to me!

I would love to come back and very much hope I will.

See you all soon!!!