8 July 2012
Hey all!
Had another weekend at Cape Maclear! New group of friends, different lodge, still a great experience!
On Friday I got packed up for my three-day-weekend in Cape Maclear! I was so excited to see how Malawians celebrate their Independence Day…surprisingly enough there were no big celebrations when we got to the lake. The worst part was the power cut off for nearly 2 hours, and right in the middle of my shower; fortunately someone brought me a candle. Since the power went out getting dinner was very slow.
Friday was not at all how I was expecting a Malawi Independence Day to be; the most festive thing I saw was a traveler light one bottle-rocket firecracker while we were at Gecko Lounge. Though I didn’t get to see any locals celebrate, all 11 of us went out to Gecko Lounge and did tons of dancing! I had so much fun!
On Saturday I was a bit of a risk-taker; I basically did the same boat-and-kayak deal I did the first time I came to the lake…just with a different group of people. And I not only kayaked to the rocky island, I got IN the lake as well! (This is all very big for me since I cannot swim; however, I did have on a life vest). The fish kept nipping at my legs, which made me feel sort of violated, so I got out shortly thereafter. A few friends and I did a bit of exploring through the rocky island right before lunch; and I unintentionally caught a nest of baby spiders…in my hair. This experience was already better than my first at Cape Maclear; I have many more stories to tell!
After lunch (which had much less grit than the last time I was at the lake) we went back to shore on a souvenir hunt. The evening was very peaceful; I laid out on the beach for a bit, listened to one of my new-found friends play the guitar as one of the locals drummed, and best of all I was able to take a shower without the power going out.
Saturday evening was the BEST evening I’ve had at the lake. While we were waiting on dinner we could hear a live band down the shore. I told my friends we should go check it out. We followed our ears and found ourselves at the Reggae Hut; there were so many little kids dancing and shouting and playing…it was absolutely beautiful. As we drew closer they began to notice us outsiders (well mostly the British people I was with…I tend to blend in here).
I insisted that we all join the kids in dancing on the stage, but of course my friends were a bit hesitant. So family just guess what I did next…that’s right…I hopped on staged and began dancing with the children! They swarmed around me and imitated my moves, I imitated theirs, and I gave out tons of high-fives once the song had finished.
Of course we went back to Mufasa’s (the lodge I was staying at in Cape Maclear) to recruit more friends to enjoy this experience. We had a blast! We dance for four songs straight and a different new-found friend bought at least 6 Fanta sodas for the children to share; what a gentleman.
We went back to Mufasa’s to have dinner, hung out at Gecko Lounge then Saturday had ended.
Sunday morning we said our goodbyes to two Kabula Lodge friends that were continuing their journey through Africa from the lake. When we got back to the lodge this evening we met up with the other Rice crew (Tara, Teresa, and Kamal) that is based in Namitete, Malawi; they’ll be here for the week! We ate dinner and chatted a bit before we all passed out; it was a busy weekend.
I’m just realizing that by the end of this coming week Kabula will be out 9 people, including the Namitete crew! Sad, sad times!
With love,
Bridget
Things that were new to me:
Buying a Chitengi
Things I wish I had:
Chicken to go with Sunday’s dinner
More time with my friends that are leaving!
For my parents—I promise I’m eating:
For breakfast: Peanut butter sandwich / beans, eggs, toast and jam
For lunch: fish, rice and stew / Peanut butter sandwich
For dinner: rice and veggie casserole / Chicken, rice, and stew / chicken and chips