Sunday July 20th, 2008
Yesterday I went on the hunt for things to entertain myself while staying in Dedza. There is no nightlife to speak of in Dedza. After dark people go home, shower, eat and sleep.
So when Catherine had to go into Lilongwe this weekend I jumped at the chance to go into the city - where there is somewhat reliable internet and wider shopping facilities, namely the ShopRite - Malawi's version of Loblaws. There are also many street vendors which sell Chinese bootleg DVDs. As I left the ShopRite (where I stocked up on peanut butter and some other sweet finds) the vendors moved in and the first one to say "Miss, miss I have movies-DVDs!" caught my attention. He pulled out about 100 DVD packs with all the bootleg versions of latest Hollywood. I ended up selecting 2 DVD packs: Angeline Jolie vs. Julia Roberts (with 10 movies of each actress on the DVD) and Leonardo Dicaprio vs. Matt Damon (10 movies each). Thus I ended up with 40 DVDs for 1400 kwa (150kwa~1USD) so I got 40DVDs for less than $10. Pretty good deal. Thankfully I brought my laptop (unlike my situation in Vietnam), so I figure I will spent most of my evenings watching DVDs, writing blogs and reading.
I am a little worried about the reading situation though, I only brought 3 books with me in order to lighten my load I’m hoping the BookMart will have a decent selection like the Lonely Planet guidebook says. I meant to stop in yesterday but I missed the noon closing time. Hopefully the next time I’m in Lilongwe I’ll make it on time. All is not lost though, the ShopRite carries the monthly BBC magazine, among other US glam mags. And Malawi has 2 English newspapers – all I ever wanted to know about Malawian politics and current affairs – but they do write about the situation in Sudan and Zimbabwe though so that’s good.
When we came into Lilongwe we stayed at Catherine’s home (she only works and has a small house in Dedza), where she supports her 3 nieces (her husband has passed away and her son studies in the UK – the extended family responsibilities of Africans amaze me). The girls are nice but shy as I am the first westerner to stay in the house or to interact with them in general. They spoke some English, particularly Ghokozani who is studying for her diploma in Business Management and all her texts are in English. Some of our conversations were strained, but when I brought out the DVDs they were very interested, in particular the youngest Janet (15yrs?), who wanted to watch Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Dying Young. So that went well.
The house is very nice when compared to other houses in Malawi. It has a microwave, toaster, TV/DVD, hairdryer (soooo nice to use again!!). They also have 3 mean dogs hat terrify me. Whenever I enter the dogs have to be put away. Dogs here are not pets – they are security. The house is essentially a compound with cement walls and a metal gate. Its safe, secure and comfy but a little fort like for my taste.
Although at first I was scared of the 3 dogs, I began to pity the poor creatures by the second day. The girls beat them with sticks to make them obey. The large bulldog has his ears torn up and another dog has his left front paw broken – they won’t be seeing a vet. Whenever we eat they beg at the door. It’s easiest for me not to even look at them. I’m glad there are no dogs at the house in Dedza.
Tonight we head back to Dedza (1hr drive upland) and I’ll start my official 1st day of work at CADECOM now that my orientation week is over. I’m really looking forward to it and I’m sure that my work assignments will be the content of my next blog.
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