Hello all
Not much excitement here in the tropics at the moment - camps are all 100% full which is busy for us and so not much else can go on.
Our most adrenalin-pumping moment came when we had to dose all the children (and ourselves) for Bilharzia. I have no idea why it has never occurred to the pharmaceutical companies that children might need treatment (even more than adults as they spend more time swimming in the shallows) and that a huge, extremely bitter pill is completely impossible to force down their throats - surely a syrup could have been concocted?
Ben was a star and got it down when bribed with a chocolate (he has a rabid sweet tooth and finally even has some fat on him after all the treats and white bread kids get in these parts!), but Eddie was made of sterner stuff and clenched his teeth and screamed fit to explode and reduced me to tears (again - same last year!). Tried crushing it with honey, but he vomited it all over me in disgust.
Eventually I had wait a day, crush the tab and carefully put it into 3 emptied vitamin capsules, which I rolled in condensed milk and we forced him to swallow - better, but still a horror. But his pride when he got them down was palpable - he rushed about telling everyone in his glee.
Oh well it is now three days later and life got very very very busy (guests, guests guests!) - can only be good for the coffers! Every single kayak we own is rented out and on the water today (and yesterday) as it is a long weekend here in Malawi (today is Independence Day! - bye bye brits (though there are many still around!)
Gosh, well that was 5 days ago, so time has flown this week. We had two lovely families from Noordhoek on Domwe, which was fab as we went out there for lunch one day, took them to Monkey Bay market the next and to Mumbo for lunch the day after that. It was splendid to have such good company and so many things to do. Plus we have old family friends staying on Mumbo so have done lunch there twice in a row - feel very sociable!
Also, the truck finally arrived from CT bearing gifts from home - what a joy! I felt like it was my birthday and Christmas twice over. My stocks of dark chocolate are looking like a squirrels hoard as it settles in for the winter months - and my endorphins are now replenished. Feelin' good!
I have attached pics of our "mall" and the wares available for purchase so you will understand my joy at the arrival of the truck from home. But also how nice it is to shop in such a quaint place where the vendors are all friendly and life is simple. Also a pic of our ladies walking group - we go some afternoons at 4ish - hell, do those gals stride! I have to jiggle away behind them most of the time - and compare our walking shoes!!
Then I discovered a horrible old box under the stairs in Jurie's office and when I opened it it was full of gorgeous beauty industry samples: little vials of unguents and potions to rejuvenate the tired old mortal coil - what a thrill! He said they had been there more than a year and no-on knew how or why they had ever ended up with us - so needless to say, I have found them a home. I now have stocks of fab potions (albeit in 2ml tubes!) to last me the year - I shall be glowing when next you set an eye on me!
Now, this weekend we were supposed to go off on our long-awaited family hol, but events conspire against us in these things and so today there is no diesel left in Malawi. #$$*$!!*(&: - if you know what I mean.)
Am just hanging on to my last shred of optimism that it will arrive tonight as we sleep soundly to the strains of the only cd next door. I have actually forked out good money to buy my own copy of the thing so that I can always evoke this year. When we return I shall have a Malawi night at home where you can all come to dinner (I'll have to hire someone to cook in true Malawian colonial fashion - we don't go there) and I shall put the cd on repeat at volume 20 and you can all get a feel of things.
Ok you are probably sick of me by now so cheerio.
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