I haven't been writing my blog for some time, so I'll give you a short update on what I have been up to. Firstly, the uni has not yet open. The papers have been writing quite a lot about it, and according to a certain report the lecturers are being paid 500% less than their colleges in nabour countries. Even though the demand is on 200% (!) salary increase the administration are not able to meet it. It seems like it is a conflict dragging out, so we must be patient and keep on studying on our own.
Secondly, we have been visiting two national parks. Both Lake Malawi and Mulanje, which at 3800 meters above sea level is the third highest mountain in Africa. We did not go to the top (there was not enough time, but we would certainly like to!), but walked up to a waterfall which was known for sights of ghostly old women washing clothes and disappering in thin air as soon as spotting you. Well, I didn't see any grannies, but I went for a swim in the cold, cold mountain water, and I was told that the pool was 60 meters deep at the deepest point (which is quite a lot considering that it was only about 5 x 8 meters wide). Mulanje is thought to be a holy mountain and there are quite a lot of myths surronding it. There are stories about people finding food prepared for them, and others disappering. Well, all of us got back safe and sound. In Lake Malawi National Park we enjoyed the beach life, as well as feeding fish eagles on a boat safari.
Otherwise, we have been to some more school visits and last Sunday we were able to meet everyones favourite English writer, Stephen Carr, after reading his book in a rush (Four girls, one book. You can imagine!). His house was beautifully situated on a hill in a remote corner of Zomba, and the view was accordingly. He had the most amazing garden, and a story for every question we asked. We even got to take a look at his photo albums from, among others, the time he had settled as a peasant farmer in Southern Sudan and when he was living in the cold mountains of Uganda.
Tomorrow we are heading for Blantyre, and Hanna is going to pick up her husband, whom will be staying with us for the Easter. We are planning to bring Kvikk lunsj (an important Norwegian chocolate) and oranges and go hiking on the Zomba plateau this weekend:)
