Yayayayaya (a classic Malawian answer)

04.01.2012

Second day living the Malawian experience. Second day in Blantyre. Two days left for my birthday.

Slept 10 hours after many days of light sleeping and headed off to Mandala House (the oldest building in town, built in 1882). Walked around the gallery and shop. 

Got familiar with PAMET's work: they teach school staff and students to recycle paper using also other elements (amongst them: banana leaf and elephant dung).

Walked around the centre and market (Malawian people have an obsession with shoes)

Had lunch at Hong Kong restaurant (yes, I indulged myself)

Spent the afternoon strolling and around 6 visited the Hindu Temple.

Stayed for a short prayer, left with a peaceful mind and a smile.

As it was getting dark, bought some chips and veg curry from a very neat-family-run Indian Restaurant and got an offer from Asha (mother and manager of the restaurant) to learn chai home-made recipes.

Ate dinner at the hostel, met Miguel (Spanish man I'd met in Vilankulos with the UN guys) that had just arrived from Tete and slept early yet again.

Few Malawian Facts: 

Official change rate: 170Mk -1usd

Non-official change rate:250Mh - 1usd

Supermarkets: empty

One deodorant + one body cream + one conditioner= usd 40

Fuel shortages

Control of media

1litre of diesel: 320 mk

1 litre of gasoline: 380 mk 

11% of adult population has AIDS

Diet based on: Corn, corn, corn, potato, mango, rice, some meat.

It is really important for them to have their shoes in good conditions.

There's a lot of bread but it's not tasty.

There's only a handful of products that can be bought at supermarkets and some of them are ridiculously expensive.

There's a lot of women on the street sitting under an umbrella with a telephone beside them, they work as phone operators for the ones that do not have a cellphone yet.

Potato chips are quite good!!!!!