Day 8 - Saturday

Wow! How this week has flown by....

After a very busy first week we were happy to catch up on some much needed rest. The days start early here and there is much commotion at 5:30 so that in itself is a challenge. It was a surprise to see Mr.Peter here early to wash the cruiser but it made the ride to Blantyre all the more scenic.(The roads to Mulinga sure cake the dust on the windows, Canadian gravel roads are barely comparable.)

The Shoprite/supermarket was quite something to encounter, people sure seem to dress up to do grocery shopping. Blantyre market was an eye opening experience, you really don't know where to look. The markets are filled with an abundance of fresh vegetables, shoes, fabrics, plenty of live chicken and googly eyed fish. The markets sure give you a taste of the local culture and gives you a chance to take home unique finds.

We can see that the wood resources here are invaluable . The wood carvings at the wood market are absolutely beautiful. It was difficult to choose between sculptures that showcased remarkable talent. We were thankful for Mrs. Oomen to guide us through the streets of Blantyre, she taught us bargaining skills and the necessity to be firm but friendly as "azungus" touring the the city. After a quick coffee break with Bep we are currently catching up on our Dutch Saturday tasks.(laundry, cleaning, Sunday prep and preparing to leave to Southern Malawi early Monday morning.