Weird things about Africa

You can actually slip and fall on a banana peel in the street. People
throw them ( and other things) out the bus windows all the time!

Women in Malawi like to wear a skirt over their skirt - piece of
fabric with bright colors - and a favorite portrait is president
Obamas face in black and white.

People like to eat balls of fried dough. Here in Malawi they are
called Obamas! Noticing a popular theme? You can also buy Obama
candies!

Men hold hands in the street. PDAs are strongly discouraged among
couples.

Seeing a womens outline of upper leg is scandalous. But if you need to
pop a boob out to feed your 5 year old, no problem!

Buses are packed! Thank goodness food and cokes can be purchased,
opened and trash thrown thru your bus window! They even open your
coke using the bus window! Need to buy a cabbage for dinner? No
worries! It'll come thru the window on the ride!

Go ahead and eat your snack on the street with the vendor waiting.
Take your time. He'll wait. Don't forget to look unsatisfied and
vaguely throw the money in the vendors direction. It's all part of the
game!

Here, a thumbs up is waaaay cooler then a wave!

Like your dinner fresh from the big city? Buy a live chicken and
bring it with you for the ride.

We love Africa! Particularly the public transit. It's always an
experience!!

Nkhata Bay Malawi

Grrr....no internet...grrr...deleted messages!

I had written a huge entry, and of course it didn't post.
So, let me start out by saying.....internet is hard to find here...nothing new.  Grrrrr......
After a few days in Senga Bay Malawi, we took a 6 hour bus ride up the lake to Nkhata Bay!  We make it to Malawi!!!
We'll spend a few days here, because transportation in Africa is a tiring process of waiting for the bus, standing on the bus, stopping atleast 10 times for extended breaks, getting on and off for security checks, and no matter the distance or the time they say it will take, it takes much longer...that's after the bus fills entirely of course, because it won't leave if it's not full.

Grr.

Africa is a frustrating place to travel, but totally worth the effort!  Because!  It's AFRICA!

Malawi and Zambia have definitely left a lasting effect on us.
I don't know how to explain, except to give little details we've noticed:
A 15 year old with a baby on her back on the bus - times 5!  (The amount of children is to a crazy level)
Eating Nsima with beans ..Nsima is a corn meal type porridge eaten in cakes
The bus rides from hell
The giant smiles and waves from kids on the streets
Always being a little bit hungry
The bright colored patterned fabrics women wear over their skirts
The cool designs of braids in womens hair
Big bellied naked children playing in the lake
gentle stares from locals with big smiles
chickens on buses!

Before we left Zambia, we stopped in South Luangua National Park where Rodolfo got to see LIONS!  14 of them actually!  Along with a herd of Hippos in the water and buffalos roaming the prairie!  Amazing experience! 

Now that we've gotten our fill of animal sightings, the plan is to head to Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam for the rest of our time in Africa!

From there, it's on to Cairo and Horgada in Egypt, London and then a visit to Oslo Norway!  From there?  Perhaps the Netherlands, France, Spain and ?Albania?  Not quite sure on exact plans yet, but we are excited and resting up for whatever comes our way!

I'm really starting to miss home, my family and all the regular, cheap, easy to eat and make foods you can find in the States!  Although fruits and veggies are cheap, regular foods are all imported and expensive to purchase....cheeeeeeeeese......

There won't be any pics for a while.  We lost our computer cable in South Africa and haven't been able to find a replacement here.  Hopefully that will be solved in Europe!

So far, we're happy and healthy and enjoying the trip!  Particularly Lake Malawi!!  GORGEOUS!!!!!

lots of love to everyone!  Hope all are doing well!  Perhaps we'll be update better once we reach Europe!

Lilongwe Malawi cappucino time!

This was our fist dose of real coffee...perhaps since leaving the States!

Man...was it good!!!

6 hour mini bus ride from hell

Lusaka national museum visit

Here is me in front of an awesome museum that included a finger tip
that was shot off in a riot, a drum used for witchcraft, and a
contemporary painting of boys peeing in the street. Totally worth a
visit!

New Pics! South Africa and Botswana

Finally, we got a computer with a decent internet connection. So, it's time for pictures!

Click here for the South African pics (last leg, Pretoria and Chile-Spain game)

Click here for the Botswana pics!!

Now, we are in Lusaka, the Zambian capital, trying to decide where to go next.... Malawi? Lake Tanganika? Tanzania? Toilet? Suggestions? Hell? Anyone?

The delta!!!!

A backpacker life

Since this photo was taken two days ago, the bag on my front has had
many adventures.

It wad purchased at a grocery store with a tent and sleeping bag
inside for 300 Rand or $45.

It lost it's straps, then it's seams, and when we came back today from
a two day trip on the delta, I opened it up to discover two furry
heads popping out of it...little mice. After much screaming, we let
them lose to find no food was eaten.

We loved the delta. Pic to follow!

Okavango Delta, Botswana