A Weekend in Paradise

One of the greatest things about being in Malawi is the ease at which you can pop into a stunning scenery.

Last weekend myself and the family I am staying with had a spontaneous weekend in Pemba, Mozambique. We were the only ones in the cosy lodge. There was nobody else on the beach. The water was warm and crystal clear. We had cheap, fresh fish and sea food. I should probably stop before you start hating me too much.

Grand Theft Auto.

So I had the interesting experience of being able to DRIVE in Malawi. I was quite nervous when I entered the car, for I have been a passenger for the past months and have seen how dodgy things can get on the roads.

It was initially comforting to realise how wide the lanes are in Blantyre. This was a short lived feeling, for I soon realised they are wide in order to accommodate the cars, the parked cars, the crazy minibuses, the insanely dangerous overtaking that goes on, the goats, the dogs, the cats, the pedestrians, the queues for fuel and the men selling samoosas.

It was great fun driving around in such a chaotic city, I felt like I was in a video game. Reaching a crossing with traffic lights that don’t work really tests your awareness and your ability to decide whether or not accelerating will put your life in danger. Every time you stop the car in traffic you get offered enough fruit in 2 minutes to be able to make a fruit salad then and there.

I miss driving. Maybe Santa will get me my own car for me to drive around in Malawi.

Just do it.

Remember my post with the newspaper article? This morning I got invited by Zasher, my footballer patient, to go to Kamuzu Stadium (the only stadium in Blantyre) to watch a football match. I discussed this with my friends, who strongly advised me not to go. Here are some of their reasons:

1. "Kamuzu Stadium has been deemed by FIFA as a having an unsafe infrastructure. In other words, it could easily collapse at any moment."

2. "Just you and your patient?! But you don't even know him."

3. "During busy matches, the stadium can SERIOUSLY overcrowd." The official stadium capacity is 32, 000 but in October 2008 it is estimated that 60, 000 gathered inside to watch the Flames, the Malawian National team. Nice n' cosy.

4. "Are you sure you want to do that? It can get pretty hectic in there. Yesterday one of the teams that played is now banned because hundreds of their fans invaded the pitch during play with missiles and everything."

5. "You're crazy."

So I decided to go.

The first thing I thought was, What can I wear that will not make me stand out? I put on a pair of jeans and a plain t-shirt. That should do it, easygoing and discreet. I wonder if wearing a bracelet and ring is too much? I then stopped and realised: it is definately not a bracelet and a ring that will put me on the spotlight. No matter what I wear I will still be a 22 year old Caucasian female amongst a predominantly male environment of low to middle class Malawians. Get over it.

I'm so glad I went. Zasher's pass entitled us to the VIP area of the Stadium (I'm still not sure what differentiated it from the rest of the seats) and I had a great time with him and his friends. And most importantly, I didn't feel unsafe at any point. Escom United beat Moyale by 2-1, and I left the match happy because I didn't really care who took the trophy home.

Beat you this time, MALARIA!

I guess being in bed for 3 days with 39ºC fevers, headaches, joint pains and your body expelling the food you ingest in all forms is part of the experience of being in Africa. Well, been there done that.

Don't know know what it was. But now I'm better! And I get a souvenier ticket to say I got a Malaria test done. I guess it's not as cool if the test was negative but oh well.

I also leave you with a picture of the flying ants which have now come out, it's their season to shine.

Oh my God.

I respect religions. I respect faith. But some things just frustrate me.

I was watching a story on Sky News today about evangelical churches in the UK who claim to cure HIV through God. People who have been diagnosed with this (scientifically incurable) disease register in these centres and are seen by pastors who guarantee a 100% success rate. How do they know if the patients are cured? Oh, it's obvious. "You will experience some pains in your body or have some diarrhoea, it means the HIV is coming out of your body."

There are so many aspects about this story that are completely outrageous. The false hopes. The fact that people are making money out this nonsense. Having patients ACTUALLY believing that prayers and holy water will cure them. But worst thing is that these pastors have the nerve to tell patients they are completely healed. "You've got to stop taking the medicine now. Once God forgives you the disease will definitely go." At least 6 people have now died because they stopped taking their HIV tablets.

There's another reason as to why I have decided to post about this topic. The other day I sat down for lunch and was joined by 2 pastors. We discussed different religious matters, one of them being spiritual healing. I couldn't believe my ears when I was being told, in a hospital setting, that a broken bone could be healed with prayers. No need for surgery, just prayers. I asked if they had done it before and they told me "I haven't managed yet, God only choses certain people to do that. But one day I will." It's a scary thought, how supposedly educated human beings in a century where science is developing every day, believe such... crap.

If you are interested in the Sky News article:

http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16117269

The Daily Times, Malawi

I thought it was pretty cool:

Music for my Ears

Another parcel, another beautiful day. This time I was pleasantly surprised with a CD with a special little mix of songs with personal favourites and the latest tunes on the radio.

I'm listening to it as I type this. Getting a CD over the post is such a clever little idea... I get to be updated on what is out there (is Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO not the latest hit??) and I get to listen to what my friend is listening to at the same time, at a different point in the world. It's like a letter in 23 tracks.

P.S. Jackson 5 and Dolly Parton are always a good bet.