lost in translation

Excluding the occasional breakdown we rarely find ourselves stationary, however whenever we do, we often develop a severe case of cabin fever. Today was no different.

With the end of the trip becoming – for the first time – a reality we had begun to consider how best to recoup the small fortune that we’d left scattered throughout the African countryside. Matt, being one step ahead of the majority, was currently battling against the hands of time in order to lodge a job application prior to the midnight cut off date.

With the weather closing in once again and plagued by an intermittent internet connection we reluctantly settled in for the the long haul with moral akin to a tethered gypsy. So to cheer ourselves up we bought a couple of fish and spent the evening huddled around a damp bar in the company of a group of American students. Having consumed a number of cold beers we felt it was time to spread the native word and duly led an impromptu class on the beauty of English slang.

In honour of our time together; lets get snifty you binners.

pump action

Despite donating money at numerous comic relief events we were left feeling a little uncomfortable…is it morally wrong to prosper from your own generosity whilst holidaying in the third world?

the finest briefs

We arrived at the self-titled ‘warm heart of Africa’ with high expectations.

Like many African countries, Malawi’ s roads are heavily marshalled by droves of traffic police, the occasional military figure loitering in the shade and the plain-clothes officer who is often partial to a little coinage. However, uniquely the officials appear to take their orders from the tourist board.

At each roadblock we were greeted with a smile, a warm handshake and a little information on the beauty that surrounds us. We were even lucky enough to be given an impromptu concert from a passing choir who were travelling toward Nkhata Bay in the rear of a pickup truck.

Maybe they do deserve that title after all.

swings & roundabouts

It appears our luck has changed; today the sun and a certain monkey came out to play.