ahhh....the 'week or so' between posts or any word from me was a bit longer on the 'so' side, and apologies for the extra worries! we are all safe, happy, and well on our way back to nairobi and the plane to take us home. we are staying an extra day in arusha, tanzania just to not have a consecutive three days of bus trips. this last one from mbaya was a grueling 17.5 hours, of which we broke down temporarily. apparently some part of the steering mechanism broke, no worries though--it was fixed with a long piece of twine--practical, maybe-safe, probably not.
malawi was a wonderful experience for the last leg of our trip. loads of relaxing, reading, and time with friends. we spent a couple of nights in nkhata bay at one of the best places we've stayed this whole trip--complete with beach side camping, the world's best bbq, and a compost toilet. it really felt like paradise--well, if paradise is in europe because there sure were a ton of europeans at the lodge! we met sara and austin there and then went to stay the four nights in their village, farther south and closer to nkhotakota. along with the time, the language also changes so we were quick to learn the greetings in Chichewa. both austin and sara speak wonderfully and have picked up the cultural and social norms of village life and living. they have done a load of work on their home and it's really a great place! their backyard is fenced to keep in the pet ducks and to keep out the neighborhood kids with a great starter garden growing tomatoes, corn, and peppers. i'm excited to keep hearing from them and the progress they make there, not only with the home but with the community and whatever projects they take on. i'm adding a link to their blog as well--it's worth getting their two cents about village life and our stay!!
and, of course i'm running out of internet time to post too much more, but i'll be back. until then check out their blog at malawiwowi.blogspot.com
peace,
megan
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
ice cream and 350ml sodas!
We made it to Dar es Salaam (more commonly called 'Dar'), picked up a traveller, and have lost the trail for finding real/good coffee again.
The bus ride from Moshi to here was the best we've had yet! Great seats, free soda, candy, and beautiful landscape that reminded Lauren of something like Montana with palm trees. The road for the main part of the trip ran parellel to the Pare Mountain range. We are now back to the Indian side of the ocean, but have yet to see it--Dar is fairly big. This is our time to start adjusting, or rather taking immense pleasure in the western comforts of back home (to be fair, we kind of started already in Moshi). Drinking real coffee at a real coffee house, not terribly different from the favorite places at home was a start. We've been anxious to catch an American movie at a real movie theatre here in town. And, we're just being a bit lazier and relaxing more. We could even get hotdogs now if we wanted (i still don't). We need to get all this Americanization in though before we head off for Malawi to see Austin and Sara. No doubt it will be similar to time spent in the village, maybe a few less comforts and convenience.
And don't get me wrong, I love the simplicity of living here. I just get the cravings for home.
So, this day in Dar then we leave early tomorrow for the border and stay the night. Austing and Sara are meeting us in Mbaya and taking us to their village. We'll be there for a few days before coming back and making the long trec back to Nairobi. Probably a week or more before any word from me again. Take care all though!!
And, where is my Milo??
Peace,
Megan
The bus ride from Moshi to here was the best we've had yet! Great seats, free soda, candy, and beautiful landscape that reminded Lauren of something like Montana with palm trees. The road for the main part of the trip ran parellel to the Pare Mountain range. We are now back to the Indian side of the ocean, but have yet to see it--Dar is fairly big. This is our time to start adjusting, or rather taking immense pleasure in the western comforts of back home (to be fair, we kind of started already in Moshi). Drinking real coffee at a real coffee house, not terribly different from the favorite places at home was a start. We've been anxious to catch an American movie at a real movie theatre here in town. And, we're just being a bit lazier and relaxing more. We could even get hotdogs now if we wanted (i still don't). We need to get all this Americanization in though before we head off for Malawi to see Austin and Sara. No doubt it will be similar to time spent in the village, maybe a few less comforts and convenience.
And don't get me wrong, I love the simplicity of living here. I just get the cravings for home.
So, this day in Dar then we leave early tomorrow for the border and stay the night. Austing and Sara are meeting us in Mbaya and taking us to their village. We'll be there for a few days before coming back and making the long trec back to Nairobi. Probably a week or more before any word from me again. Take care all though!!
And, where is my Milo??
Peace,
Megan
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Going back for short calls in the long drop....
and back to the village to see Joyce and the girls for just one last time. After all the pack and go, rushed traveling through Rwanda and Uganda I'm going to relish the peace and calm.
We'll be there for just one week and will make the direct trip from there to Arusha, Tanzania on July 7th or 8th. Should be hearing from me between then.
Travels have still been great, safe, and we are all well. However, we have dropped a traveler (lauren) and she's off making her way a little more slowly through Uganda to meet up with us in Nairobi.
I'll catch up on my blog, promises & soon.
Till then, anyone with the correct answer to what the title of this blog means wins a prize (and I bet it will be from Africa)!!
Peace,
Megan
We'll be there for just one week and will make the direct trip from there to Arusha, Tanzania on July 7th or 8th. Should be hearing from me between then.
Travels have still been great, safe, and we are all well. However, we have dropped a traveler (lauren) and she's off making her way a little more slowly through Uganda to meet up with us in Nairobi.
I'll catch up on my blog, promises & soon.
Till then, anyone with the correct answer to what the title of this blog means wins a prize (and I bet it will be from Africa)!!
Peace,
Megan
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)