Feb 2007

I am in Blantyre after a packed 5 days. The journey was long but it all went well. We stayed in Lilongwe the capital for 2 nights our hotel was in the form of chalets I shared a 2 bed chalet with David and Maureen, the chef brought your food to the room , the manager asked you first what do you want to eat, no menu you tell her what you like but they really only have rice chips chicken stewed or fried and veg. We chose Chicken stew rice and veg and he also brought apple pie and custard, you do your own washing up in the mirning they bring breakfast, fried everything and fruit salad, I am the only person to come back from Africa fat> In Lilongwe we visited a market the traders were very persistant but friendly I enjoyed it, When we had to visit education officails the meeting was arranged in one of the chalets so that was easy, we had great discussions with the Teachers Union Gen Sec , 2a HT PE teacher and the head of an enormous school with 1000 pupils who attend in the morning and another 1000 in the afternoon.
Lilongwe is very spread out every one walks every where, hardly anyone smokes,most people grow maize to eat. There is a market and 1 supermarket but not much else.

If you are reading this well done you followed your instructions and now we are blogging.
I plan to post some info as soon as I can in Malawi, I understand there is an internet cafe in Blantyre.
The suitcase is closed and includes 5 deflated footballs and some shortbread!
The programme for the study visit looks great but it is jam packed,we are meeting the education minister, folks running VSO and education services in Blantyre. We visit 4 schools and I have 3 days in one of them, I haven't decided on primary or secondary yet having a foot in each camp.
we are however fitting in under our own steam an overnight stay at Mzuu Wilderness Camp! "What was that noise!"
My son is green with envy and has asked me to bring him back an elephant.
It is the rainy season so home from home then.
More soon thanks for loging on.