Malawi: The country that cried 'wolf'

I've stolen my title today from my friends facebook status. It is extremely fitting.

September 21st, today, was the date scheduled for the next set of demonstrations against the government. The scheduled demonstrations for August were cancelled as the government got an injunction from the court against the demonstrations, civil society leaders said they wanted more time for 'dialogue' and a chance for the UN to mediate. Talks fell apart and once again civil society planned to stage a vigil on September 21st. The high court even ok'd the demonstrations to go ahead as planned.

Here is todays paper:

What feels like another massive cop-out to many Malawians by civil society; especially after the high court gave the go ahead. Instead, civil society leaders have urged Malawians to stay home for 3 days from work in a silent strike, and while at home, pray and reflect on the state of the country. What a whole hell of a lot of good that will do. Malawians have enough time to reflect on the state of their country while sitting in fuel queues.

The days of the planned demonstrations, you never quite know whats going to happen, and its all a little eerie. I went out this morning to pick up a few supplies and its like a ghost town. A few cars and a few scattered pedestrians. Over the day, if nothing is going on, some businesses will slowly start to open and traffic will pick up. We'll see what the rest of the day brings. However, I'm convinced it will be a whole lot of nothing. Its a shame after such a strong united stance was taken in July. What was the point of those 20 odd deaths if no one is willing to take another strong stance against the government?

And now we all sit and wait to see what October will bring ....

More Muskoka . . .

 

 

 

Muskoka

I just wanted to add a few photos.

The wonderful thing about Malawi is the flowers. Our property has a whole row of the most beautiful roses. I feel like they are constantly in bloom. I can't wait to finish all the gardening around our property. This property has the potential to be amazing.

Also, of course my dogs. My pup rhodesian ridgeback pup Muskoka is now 3 months old and is such a beautiful looking dog. I constantly have people who come to the property asking if he is for sale. He is most definitely not. I just adore him. uI never knew about rhodesian ridgebacks as a breed before I came, but I am absolutely in love with them. I'm going to try and get a picture of the father just to be able to show the size of him. He is absolutely massive, and all the pups took after him. the pups are nearly the size of Tess (the mother) now at a mere 3 months. The other pup from the litter I still have, Chaos, belongs to my friend Max (pictured below). He's going to his new home today. Hopefully, I don't cry when this one goes. I think I cried over the other four, so the outlook for not crying, is not good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Namizimu Forest Retreat

I had the opportunity the other week to go visit Namizimu Forest Retreat which is an eco-lodge about 30 minutes past Mangochi. My friend Kathryn (a former Peace Corps) was visiting for a week, and she was friends with the woman Tahereh who had created it. I had been stuck in and bogged down in Lilongwe for months and months. This retreat was exactly what I needed.

The eco-lodge was incredible. They operate completely off the grid with solar power. Their water supply is fresh mountain spring water. Tahereh and her partner Dave are doing amazing work at this lodge. It is definitely a haven.

I said to Kathryn after we hiked up the mountain and were sitting looking over the Malawi landscape; "I didn't realize what I needed to do was sit on the top of a mountain. But I did." I often get so bogged down here on all the little frustrations of day to day life and trying to get things accommplished that I forget I live in Malawi - an amazing, beautiful country. I left feeling refreshed and inspired again.

http://www.namizimu.com/