Another day in the village...another exhausted me. more driving. more intense listening. more understanding. more attempts to be understood in an obscure African language... followed by more grammar (woops- forgot to cancel my 4pm language lesson!).
Nothing new, just slow progress on the old. So, I thought I would dedicate this post to all the wonderful Malawian drivers out there who load their vehicles to capacity with maize, strap a bicycle or 2 on top with 5 to 65 people around the edges and then proceed to crawl along the road at 40 km/hr because:
a) the engine's not big enough to carry the load;
b) their suspension/dif/ axel are completely stuffed (see a);
c) they don't have any breaks and they know it;
d) their steering is stuffed and anything over 40km will send them careering out of control;
e) all of the above.
And who, in the mean time motion for you to pass on a blind corner, drive in the middle of the road- or stop (in the middle of the road) to kindly pick up more passengers who stand scattered across the road while their produce is loaded on top. these guys are awesome- they are the lifeblood of this country- ok thats a bit excessive- but think of how many bicycle trips they are saving- and how many car trips- greenhouse gas emission?! they are saving by cramming 6 loads onto 1?!
unfortunately the best ones don't get photographed cos Im gripping the wheel trying to keep everyone alive- but here is a taste of what I came across today. I hope you enjoy the scenery too!
And of course my favourite...
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