Down South Once More

With less than a month left to go in Malawi I made one last trip to the south to visit my friend Adam and assist in a model school.

It was an enjoyable 2 hour bike taxi to get to his house from the road. I bruised in places I didn't know could bruise.

The view was beautiful, riding along a mountain range.

I was officially jealous of his spacious and new house, equipped with solar lighting.

I only spent a night and then we took another 2 hour bike taxi to the road.

After climbing up a big hill, we rested at a merry-go-round that draws water up to a tank.

And I quickly became motion-sick.

Then Adam and I assisted with a model school for the Peace Corps trainees. It was the last time Adam and I will teach in Malawi. Yippee!

Adam was left in charge of finding accommodations. That was a big mistake. We checked in to a lodge that was booked, but "luckily" had a staff room we could stay in. Adam seems to overlook the fact that there was no lock, or handle on the door. There was a communal bathtub, but no shower. Next door was the owner, reading in bed with his wife, with the door open.

They tried to remedy the situation of bathing by sneaking us into another guest's room to shower. The water was freezing and as Adam attempted to bathe, the power went out leaving us in the dark. Our room was decorated with military garb, caps and a cane. Turns out the owner was recently discharged from the army and on trial for a plot to assassinate the president of Malawi. He was acquitted.

I refused to take pictures.

We decided to try our luck and find better accommodations.

That was a stupid idea.

The headteacher of the school we visited offered to stay at his home. He's an incredibly gracious host.

Unfortunately we had a spoon instead of a door handle. And a communal cold shower. And a bed frame, but no mattress.

We made the most of it, though.

On the last day we went to Zomba Plateau and walked around.

It was beautiful.

Adam and I decided to hike to a waterfall, thinking we were on a path. The outcome of our adventure included cuts and bruises all over my legs, thanks to lovely thorns and other undesirables.
But it was worth it.

Especially after we found the road that went to the falls.
And a lovely lunch in town. Rice and chicken at Uncle Dan's Restaurant.