Maisuri Masala and Mancala in Malawi

On August 17^th when my traveling buddy Tommy and I stepped over Malawi's imaginary border line from Mozambique, we saw booths where people were frying potatoes and slicing tomatoes for a salad.  Other stations hung used clothes that fluttered in the wind over piles of dresses, t-shirts, and pants that were for sale. We saw women carrying buckets of fruit on their heads while colorful African-patterned sarongs gripped tightly around their swaying hips. We looked at each other and said that it still felt like we were in our host country. 

It wasn't until we tried speaking Portuguese and saw the people in the mini bus look at us as if we asked them why the sky was blue, that we realized that we were in a country whose official language was English. When we asked the conductor if his mini bus went to Blantyre, Malawi's biggest city, he replied, “Yes” and told us how much it would cost. The price was only 1,300 Kwacha per person, or $3.28 USD for a two hour drive. 

While we waited for the the mini bus to fill up, I left my backpack in the front seat with Tommy and went over to a young lady who was selling something that was fried and cylinder-shaped. When I asked her about the glistening fried Oompa Loompa-orange treat, she didn't understand my English. I called over the conductor to help translate from Chichewa to English (surprisingly, not many people we encountered on our trip spoke English).  After I bought a bag of—what turned out to be— fried yucca coated in curry spice, I shared some with Tommy and we leaned back in our seats smiling as we devoured the greasy snack.

That's how our six-day adventure began and I'm hoping that the pictures can illustrate the rest of the trip...

Sign: "Welcome To Blantyre."  Me: Why, thank you!

My friend Tommy working as a health volunteer in the same province as me

First meal in Malawi

Eating an Indian dish called Maisuri (Maysore) Masala Dosa for the first time. One of the most delicious meals I've ever had!

Waiting for tea and coffee at an Ethiopian restaurant in Blantyre

Kuche Kuche beer reminded me of Blue Moon

Breath-taking view of Cape Maclear from the lodge for only $10 per night

Can you spot the drummers?

Just chillin'

Drums and Sunset

View from my little hike

\Awkward photo of me in front of a boulder

Malawian Kwacha

Here's my Malawian friend rowing us on the canoe

This trip wouldn't have been complete without a selfie in the canoe

We bumped into our PCV friends Matt and Charlie in Cape Maclear.

Heating up the drums

Charlie, Sina, and I jammin'

Enjoying a cold Malawian beer and watching the sunset

Baobab tree by the lake

Mancala, Kuche Kuche beer, and curry with rice

Goodbye, Malawi. It was great!

Updated: The pictures below were taken by Tommy