The Lodge
So my blog was cut a little short yesterday due to power. Reason being, the lodge runs from a generator which was only put in a couple of years after being ordered and delivered from South Africa. The slow speed of life here again meant that it took 6 months between purchasing and arrival. It turns on at 5:30 and then off again at 9pm, just as I was typing. Daily hours are a bit different here than in the UK. People tend to be up early when the sun rises at around 6am, then off to bed at about 9. You can understand why when you watch the sun fall from the sky to set at 6pm, before a dark twinkled blanket is thrust upon the people of northern Malawi. It is seriously pitch black! I am told that it was exceptionally dark last night as there was no moon, but time will tell.
So the main building here was built over 20 years ago for the workmen who were constructing the M1 (the main road which runs the length of the country, that road which we took from Lilongwe yesterday). Once the construction was completed, the government turned the place into a tourist lodge. Moi, a friendly chap who is part of the management team here now, was a part of the organisation from the start. He explained to us how poorly the site was managed, telling of how every decision had to go through the powers that be in the government. The process was so slow that the place was just not working. One example he gave us showed us clearly.
Moi told of when the question was asked to buy washing powder for the bed sheets. They didn’t manage to get an answer and were forced to turn guests away as they couldn’t clean the sheets. The government finally realised that it couldn’t continue the way it was going and attempted to sell the lodge. Originally deciding that it should be sold to a Malawian, they eventually felt it would be better put into the hands of more experienced owners. George put it a bid and was successful.
Now, with fresh running water, hot water, the generator, camping site, lodge rooms and chalets, the site runs with extreme efficiency by Malawian standards. They offer activities such as hiking, climbing, abseiling, cycling, team building activities and much more. A real oasis with so much to offer.
The staff here are super friendly and helpful. I can’t help but think (and maybe hope) that their attitude rubs off on us just a little. Earlier today I discussed food with them, both local foods and foreign are served at the lodge. Conversing around favourite foods I spotted a tub of Marmite hiding at the back of one of the shelves. The three natives and myself in the kitchen at the time all agreed it was disgusting. I haven’t shared the discovery with Laura yet, she loves the stuff! I found I had more in common with the people than I thought. There was a joint hate of sprouts too, great!
Tonight the forestry team came in to complete some ‘controlled burning’ around the reservoir just 200m from the lodge. Coming out of our small, dark room in the wooden hostel building we have been assigned to, I noticed the flames, about 20ft in the air, lurking less than 100m away. The curtains have been shut in the lodge so I’ll just keep my fingers crossed that they don’t creep any closer. The ash rain falling on me through the short walk up to the lodge hasn’t filled one with confidence! But I have faith, these guys have worked in this environment for much longer than I have and seem to have a clever way to deal with what can be considerably complicated situations.
Tomorrow we shall be heading off into Luwawa village. I’m hoping to meet the head teacher of the local school to discuss how I can get involved down there. They have PE about 4 times a week so I am told – a lesson to be learnt there UK! We shall also see the team at the health centre so that Laura can arrange some of her time there. “There are no physio’s in Malawi!” one of the guys here joked yesterday, so with respiratory problems being a major killer over here, we are hoping she can have an impact.
On a personal level we have both settled in very quickly and easily and are excited to get going and meet more of the locals. It is clear to see Malawi is a poor country but with its positive approach, ‘the warm heart of Africa’, it can only improve its fortunes. Our opinion of it couldn’t be higher and we only just arrived.
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