September 25

Another week almost done. It has been a bit busier at school since the Form 2’s (grade 7’s) were off at camp and there was a general sharing of coverage for the teachers who accompanied them. We also had two of our fellow “newbie” colleagues out with food poisoning, always one of the hazards of travel. Unfortunately for them, it meant they also missed out on our Tuesday dining out experience. This week we tried an Indian restaurant which has been fairly recently upgraded, so we hear. The food, the setting and the service were all first rate. That one is definitely a keeper.

The golf charity tournament turned out to be great fun, except for the bruise, and a very worthwhile cause. The tournament was sponsored by the local Rotary club who are using the funds for “blind camps”. These blind camps involve going out to the villages and bringing elderly people into the city for eye operations that restore their sight. These are people who could never afford either the transportation or the medical care. The organizers seemed very pleased with the turn out and the amount of funds raised at the tournament. As for the bruise, well let me just say, I am much more careful about where I stand when my partners are teeing off now. Jean-Marcel toed one off the men’s tee box and drilled it right at me. I had been waiting a little further up just off the ladies tee box and had no time to react. A little higher and he might have cracked a rib, fortunately no damage done. I retaliated by scoring most of the points for our team, which had his caddy telling him, “Sir, you have to help Madam.” In the end, we scored better than many of our colleagues from school, although we weren’t among the prize winners, but Jean-Marcel did get a share of the deuce pot for his brilliant putting for birdie. He even redeemed himself with his caddy on that one.

Did I tell you about the weather? We actually had some a couple of weeks ago. One Saturday it was cold enough for me to wear my denim shirt and we had an ever so light sprinkling of rain, just enough to make us not want to hit the wipers by accident because it would have created an ugly smear. Then it warmed up and we were back to shirt sleeves. My caddy, Charles, was very concerned about this weird weather phenomenon. Apparently it was cause for much discussion and even some fear in the local population. Since then it has gone from warm and dry to hot and dry. We have taken to putting the fan on in the late afternoon and at night. October is the hot month in Malawi, feels rather Okanaganish so far. Hot and dry during the day, cooling off reasonably well in the evening. The days are also a bit longer now. There is definitely sun when I get up at 5:30 a.m. and as I write this, just after 6 p.m. it is twilight. Sunrise and twilight do not linger here. Within half an hour it will be pitch black.

We also made it back to Area 2 last weekend and had the usual shopping experience: bought several things, but found nothing that was actually on our list. The shop was quite willing to exchange or refund our money for the mosquito net but it was the biggest available so we are making do. It is definitely better than the one we had, and is attached to a frame which gives us much more room. No more waking up with a face full of mozzy net. This is definitely a good thing since mosquito season is approaching. We are also well armed with Raid plug-ins, hoping to fend off those little malaria carrying beasties.

And now the good news. Jean-Marcel found a Canadian insurance company that will provide medical coverage for him and the school has arranged payment. Seems they want to keep me. So he will be able to stay. Needless to say this is a huge relief and now we can look forward to enjoying the October safari together as well as planning Christmas holidays.

Well there goes the power, right in the middle of dinner preparation. Jean-Marcel is not amused. Good thing the pasta was already in the boiling water. Time to sign off and save the battery. Another candlelight dinner in the offing.