tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91084871581140786382024-03-05T13:36:08.335+02:00Fiona Parker in MalawiFiona Parker in Malawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724303469710645792noreply@blogger.comBlogger149125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108487158114078638.post-54156656333777201422010-05-02T20:26:00.002+02:002010-05-02T20:36:01.069+02:00Going HomeLast blog from Malawi and I'm not really sure what to write. I've been trying to think of some neat way to sum up all my feelings and experiences, to conclude the blog.<br /><br />But I can't. I don't think this is the end of us and Malawi (and won't be the end of the blog) so I'm just going to write about what I can see and hear now and hope that I remember it clearly in years to come.<br /><br />The evening sun is getting low and beginning to make me squint. Ants are crawling all over my feet and I've just been handed some ropey wine in a dirty glass. A is next to me reading his car magazines and I can hear some gospel singing over the noise of at least 5 different languages (including unreasonably loud American English) chattering here, round the pool in a Lilongwe hotel.<br /><br />I feel happy, lucky, satisfied and ready to go home.<br /><br />F xFiona Parker in Malawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724303469710645792noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108487158114078638.post-44381415849497647922010-04-27T14:54:00.000+02:002010-04-27T14:57:59.145+02:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHkMEZCxrcUAZF_GAIeWJEwLIekT3_ijdukBe0XQYnWUENIbyi_AR390MaSuUU07jQGnpdlmM0VDfffN0dSbc5ot9OnDPYDtqI6NMY-qLvLSlHZSN6_xho-jphQZ7rFYRq754V8XynnyJ/s1600/P1080136.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464800544994138434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHkMEZCxrcUAZF_GAIeWJEwLIekT3_ijdukBe0XQYnWUENIbyi_AR390MaSuUU07jQGnpdlmM0VDfffN0dSbc5ot9OnDPYDtqI6NMY-qLvLSlHZSN6_xho-jphQZ7rFYRq754V8XynnyJ/s320/P1080136.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91dpAxJhCmit2VfwjaDGkHFw4vbTP5YAAEoycAeaKptda1eI7Cy-smc6acfssQXxc6jYw9-r9baEW5shsKlOl7IPFNaAmudtJjlaFsNM1eKxDDquKK4U7HbOf0hadfkDnch12bXyCVEL3/s1600/P1080108.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464800543343239170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91dpAxJhCmit2VfwjaDGkHFw4vbTP5YAAEoycAeaKptda1eI7Cy-smc6acfssQXxc6jYw9-r9baEW5shsKlOl7IPFNaAmudtJjlaFsNM1eKxDDquKK4U7HbOf0hadfkDnch12bXyCVEL3/s320/P1080108.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLEEkfS2mn-Gz8X7JJ7NPFyAfTzMY5wmDG0vYcc8ZUR6ZajOCZ9ih4beQ_Ul4Q00p92zONXqRufIW_Eb6e38C__8OXmMj0Y6s5ah0As4q_ZAbpLxnIQ0Gv4dCv0wODbIb_qQbW_TzqunT/s1600/P1080111.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464800537249285858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLEEkfS2mn-Gz8X7JJ7NPFyAfTzMY5wmDG0vYcc8ZUR6ZajOCZ9ih4beQ_Ul4Q00p92zONXqRufIW_Eb6e38C__8OXmMj0Y6s5ah0As4q_ZAbpLxnIQ0Gv4dCv0wODbIb_qQbW_TzqunT/s320/P1080111.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJyN0kShNPHdNGqhrqrIx__-yWYG-Sehl2g99DES1VJqWJBuHkE6Wa6UcUd0fByAAA4xYqK6nADauZdVCbwxvHLeW7kUvpFqVkx9yPmcCONmWLm1-rimDDy8Gomsddn72EMq5sO5nvVlCc/s1600/P1080115.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464800532215311074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJyN0kShNPHdNGqhrqrIx__-yWYG-Sehl2g99DES1VJqWJBuHkE6Wa6UcUd0fByAAA4xYqK6nADauZdVCbwxvHLeW7kUvpFqVkx9yPmcCONmWLm1-rimDDy8Gomsddn72EMq5sO5nvVlCc/s320/P1080115.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Fiona Parker in Malawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724303469710645792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108487158114078638.post-44476579917223097322010-04-27T14:42:00.002+02:002010-04-27T14:52:45.248+02:00Climb Every MountainHere's a little nugget of self-awareness I've learnt this year: I'm no mountaineer.<br /><br />Actually, I already knew that (some of you may remember the Ben <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lomond</span> incident) but I thought I couldn't get on the plane without having tried it all. Given it my all. Left no stone unturned. Pushed myself.<br /><br />So I did. I agreed to climb 2,000m to the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mulange</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Plateaux</span>. I knew it would be tough physically and it was, but I managed (just). But it was my fear that was the biggest problem. I don't like heights. I hadn't realised how much I don't like heights until I was nearly vomiting with fear having walked <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">across</span> a slippery waterfall 1m from the precipice. I knew my reaction wasn't normal when I looked up and saw my friends happily posing for photos on the other side.<br /><br />A cajoled me the rest of the way and the views from the top were superb. The rats, the drop toilet and the shower (a room with a bucket) not so lovely. But fabulous evening with pals, sausages and marshmallows.<br /><br />The way down was worse. I'd been awake half the night worrying about it, listening to the rain and wondering how full the rivers and waterfalls would now be. Very, it turns out. A didn't leave my side and our pal <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Arjan</span>, who could see the tension in my jaw, was a trooper, walking behind me, grabbing and heaving as necessary.<br /><br />I spent most of the decent on my bum, sliding and slipping over the rocks. I got back <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">across</span> the waterfall (now a raging torrent, I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">exaggerate</span> not) very inelegantly clinging to the rocks, shaking my head and being heaved out of the water. A then pointed out that I had ripped my trousers and my backside was '<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">hingin</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">oot</span>'. I cared not a jot. That's how much I was consumed with getting down in one piece. "Everyone can stare at my grazed bum all they want, so long as I get off this bloody mountain" were, I believe, my exact words.<br /><br />It was my first real case of one step at a time, don't think about it, mind over matter. People do this for fun at the weekends, it's really not that bad but for me it was a big deal. I see it as this year in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">miniature</span>, breathing, keeping calm, carrying on, relying on others.<br /><br />And now I'm back. I can barely walk and still want to cry when I think about it, but I did it. There, done.<br /><br />F xFiona Parker in Malawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724303469710645792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108487158114078638.post-18743541295392591302010-04-23T16:08:00.003+02:002010-04-23T16:10:39.441+02:00Things I Will Not MissAre:<br /><br /><ul><li>The spiders (naturally)</li><li>The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">occasional</span> waft of B.O, the smell of the dried fish in the shops and the smell of the cheese plants in the garden</li><li>Taking anti-malaria medication</li><li>Living behind bars</li><li>The driving (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">awful</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">truly</span> awful - we've even seen a massive articulated lorry holding on the biting point in reverse on a hill down to a roundabout because it had no breaks - <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">genius</span> but terrifying)</li><li>The pedestrians</li><li>The hut</li></ul><p>F x</p>Fiona Parker in Malawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724303469710645792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108487158114078638.post-31087065564917197012010-04-23T16:06:00.002+02:002010-04-23T16:08:01.849+02:00Things I Will MissAre:<br /><br /><ul><li>The people</li><li>The sunshine and sun-sets</li><li>The fruit and veg (though am looking forward to proper sized peppers, carrots, onions and potatoes - fiddly wee muddy things are annoying to prepare)</li><li>The free time</li><li>The hut</li></ul><p>F x</p>Fiona Parker in Malawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724303469710645792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108487158114078638.post-59357128696176694722010-04-23T16:03:00.002+02:002010-04-23T16:06:21.211+02:00Further GoodbyesIt is all I'm doing right now and really mixed feelings about the whole thing.<br /><br />I've grown 'rather fond' of Malawi and our life here and it feels strange to think that in just over a week I'll be back where I belong - wonder if all of this will seem like a dream?<br /><br />Very excited about being home again (and sure this is the right move). Just hoping we stay healthy and safe over the next 10 days and then this whole thing will have been wholly good.<br /><br />Fingers crossed<br />F xFiona Parker in Malawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724303469710645792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108487158114078638.post-39925032010291549572010-04-19T14:18:00.006+02:002010-04-19T14:24:41.947+02:00Things I would do to make Malawi better offAre (in no particular order):<br /><br /><ul><li>Make sure people aren't hungry, have clean water and soap;</li><li>Make sure all children are taught to read, write and think critically about things;</li><li>Conduct a massive civic anti-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">corruption</span> campaign, with the help of the Churches, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">progressively</span> increase civil servants' pay, criminally prosecute more and more instances of it and heavily <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">publisce</span> all <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">guilty</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">verdicts</span>;</li><li>Import some lions, reduce airfares and do some serious tourism promotion;</li><li>Build good train and road links to ports in Mozambique and Tanzania (the roads in Malawi are actually relatively good);</li><li>Pick one of the regional trade blocks, leave the others and throw a lot of resources at selling stuff to its neighbours;</li><li>Build irrigation systems and put the management of the water and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">energy</span> companies under some serious performance related pay measures; </li><li>Slash (maybe abolish) agricultural subsidies in the developed countries;</li><li>Use farmer co-operatives to increase agricultural production; and</li><li>Make court judgements enforceable against the state.</li></ul><p>Most of which are, to some extent, already underway.</p><p>F x</p><p>PS - am wondering what the answer to the same question for the UK would be......</p>Fiona Parker in Malawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724303469710645792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108487158114078638.post-21273590316677224172010-04-19T14:14:00.003+02:002010-04-19T14:18:14.676+02:00Reasons why Malawi is still so poorAre, I think, (in no particular order):<br /><br /><ul><li>Envy, which causes a lot of destruction;</li><li>Corruption, which undermines systems;</li><li>Colonialism, which has either created or accentuated a culture where individuals are discouraged from taking decisions, which causes stagnation and delay;</li><li>Self-interest (of some donors), who are only just beginning to co-ordinate their efforts, rarely stay for more than a few years and frequently make aid conditional on the introduction of systems and ideologies that don't fit here, which wastes a lot of energy and resources;</li><li>Greed (of some in power), which the greedy part of me understands, but which causes some shocking inefficiencies and inequalities;</li><li>Hypocrisy, which means that notions of 'international free trade' are just a joke and it is a constant up-hill struggle for Malawi to sell things and prosper.</li></ul><p>F x</p>Fiona Parker in Malawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724303469710645792noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108487158114078638.post-18169735513656220772010-04-19T14:10:00.002+02:002010-04-19T14:13:57.190+02:00Please read this book'Fearless Fighter' Vera <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Chirwa's</span> autobiography.<br /><br />She was the first Malawian woman lawyer (or first in Southern Africa, maybe both), campaigned for independence, campaigned for democracy and, together with her husband, spent may years in jail under Dr. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Banda's</span> (the Malawian dictator's) regime.<br /><br />I don't think I agree with all of her politics but can not <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">recommend</span> this book enough. Particularly for the clear overview it gives of Malawi's political history and for the convincing conclusions she reaches about why Malawi is still so poor.....<br /><br />F xFiona Parker in Malawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724303469710645792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108487158114078638.post-57696903149218763652010-04-19T14:08:00.002+02:002010-04-19T14:10:50.907+02:00Just This OnceI'm going to break my own rule and mention my work: I'm dead chuffed with the report I've just handed to the Judiciary. Team of 4 of us did its strategic review, assessed progress, areas for improvement and drew up a list of things they could do. A says giving people 'to-do lists' is my natural <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">talent</span>. I've enjoyed the past 10 weeks and hope that is true. There is a lot that can be done but things can change.<br />F xFiona Parker in Malawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724303469710645792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108487158114078638.post-48788318627348963082010-04-13T12:20:00.002+02:002010-04-13T12:22:25.283+02:00Giraffes are cool (and the low ride even goes on safari!)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlE5kav6_VcwnQ5lgeihpPWcKW1vDHDe4i1X3VtpC2Hm2gIud0mG8rSWLLJWNLGp_6Aez7fdfV4vTd8DQ6zj9l2QZGxXUWVvN1GepItt9K1FtB3IQxQipwY1K6RoMt4A7hGa3MHt9jQFm2/s1600/P1080051+(600+x+450).jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459565332584647266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlE5kav6_VcwnQ5lgeihpPWcKW1vDHDe4i1X3VtpC2Hm2gIud0mG8rSWLLJWNLGp_6Aez7fdfV4vTd8DQ6zj9l2QZGxXUWVvN1GepItt9K1FtB3IQxQipwY1K6RoMt4A7hGa3MHt9jQFm2/s320/P1080051+(600+x+450).jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNx40MJgQFjBXEI3IG8ZM8jwT4i5n8QRdtbEsHFouoYYJTSY_p-h5jsi5U1qmEPEcW4M99OMUc1y9AfyhuG1BF53FosGDl-O0pyQUzOelBi8WJL4kY-12-fk78OHvLsL4mcHaIkS9ukvm9/s1600/P1080020+(450+x+600).jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459565326453417762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNx40MJgQFjBXEI3IG8ZM8jwT4i5n8QRdtbEsHFouoYYJTSY_p-h5jsi5U1qmEPEcW4M99OMUc1y9AfyhuG1BF53FosGDl-O0pyQUzOelBi8WJL4kY-12-fk78OHvLsL4mcHaIkS9ukvm9/s320/P1080020+(450+x+600).jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_eV5DL-mWwCPEX_GOHSUYtYdfnLUi8_mBIX31Qd0O2RyWWj2fKQB26anTwEUCQmAxRIN2HcP-8on_qDQ6_InyA5axd-aZMzgjnDFoKc6wnSvmnOU2u56Tm2KWaTbPQIJGfEz38laGe_Z/s1600/P1080007+(600+x+450).jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459565324155893058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_eV5DL-mWwCPEX_GOHSUYtYdfnLUi8_mBIX31Qd0O2RyWWj2fKQB26anTwEUCQmAxRIN2HcP-8on_qDQ6_InyA5axd-aZMzgjnDFoKc6wnSvmnOU2u56Tm2KWaTbPQIJGfEz38laGe_Z/s320/P1080007+(600+x+450).jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Fiona Parker in Malawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724303469710645792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108487158114078638.post-83179343040774017932010-04-13T12:19:00.000+02:002010-04-13T12:20:33.859+02:00:-)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihxG1Cs9axU4VJPrZOQV3kLIxgrYmnfen_tUgJ5qlDs8nxOcPmXYpzwbgAWXuS2Ye5Qr5s4HQAfK6f-9oCV9IzSWEhHhFrSzQ0qHj_e3aJ-C8HChLbrsj3IPGHjJdlr9pmXmXtWwvqEE5w/s1600/P1070930+(600+x+450).jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459564920913772130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihxG1Cs9axU4VJPrZOQV3kLIxgrYmnfen_tUgJ5qlDs8nxOcPmXYpzwbgAWXuS2Ye5Qr5s4HQAfK6f-9oCV9IzSWEhHhFrSzQ0qHj_e3aJ-C8HChLbrsj3IPGHjJdlr9pmXmXtWwvqEE5w/s320/P1070930+(600+x+450).jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildzqmFdfAklqpkXuR7OXs5VPMv0nVCs3bkAX7rLmlcbfmguFi6r4dk8-Zphu3nc6wdGcxkeWfZsren84QSYPEfu2n325I-u17Djl0gBbWlg-y3Hz2IGWtS-CarDF6esUB-vPHfwyEhsCW/s1600/P1070907+(600+x+450).jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459564917651435602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildzqmFdfAklqpkXuR7OXs5VPMv0nVCs3bkAX7rLmlcbfmguFi6r4dk8-Zphu3nc6wdGcxkeWfZsren84QSYPEfu2n325I-u17Djl0gBbWlg-y3Hz2IGWtS-CarDF6esUB-vPHfwyEhsCW/s320/P1070907+(600+x+450).jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>Fiona Parker in Malawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724303469710645792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108487158114078638.post-43758223635279174742010-04-13T12:16:00.003+02:002010-04-13T12:18:14.596+02:00We Love Norman CarrFantastic lodge place at the lake. We went with a bunch of pals for the Easter weekend and were very happy eating, drinking and sleeping.<br /><br />In particular, see pic of sundowners in the lake - life jacket round your bum and legs like a little seat and happily bob away with a G&T in the lake. Must be the peak of human endeavour - seriously!<br /><br />Happy, happy days.<br /><br />F xFiona Parker in Malawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724303469710645792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108487158114078638.post-49480169623239600372010-03-23T07:40:00.002+02:002010-03-23T07:44:35.248+02:00One Year OnSaturday was exactly one year since I arrived in Malawi - and what a year!<br /><br />You've read a lot about it and are probably better placed than me to notice any changes in mood and attitude. But even I can tell that things seem very different now to me than they did 365 days ago.<br /><br />Things I have learnt include:<br /><br /><ul><li>Change can be good;</li><li>It's important to trust your instincts; and</li><li>Spiders are always evil (a year on, they still make me cry).</li></ul><p>But most of all - it's the people that make a place. Scotland or Malawi, if you're not with the people you love (or really can't love the ones you're with) then you're wasting your precious time.</p><p>We've been lucky. The people here have made our year.</p><p>F x</p><p>PS - we celebrated one year and started our good-byes by splashing out on 'the' proper swanky restaurant in town (so the photo was actually taken in Malawi!)</p>Fiona Parker in Malawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724303469710645792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108487158114078638.post-57682424660204263332010-03-17T08:16:00.002+02:002010-03-17T08:20:51.722+02:00MaloraFinally managed to drag A to the cinema on Fri night (yup, there is a cinema here but A has irrational aversion to 'loosing' his evenings to it).<br /><br />A bunch of us went to see Avatar, though naturally not in the fancy 3D format. I thought it was brilliant! Granted, I haven't been to the cinema in a loooong time so the pretty pictures were rather hypnotic and, granted, the plot wasn't groundbreaking, but it is a really beautiful film.<br /><br />If you are wondering what Malawi looks like, it's that, but less glow in the dark. Massive plants, huge cliffs, waterfalls, strange colours and lots of biting animals. All there, here, in Malawi.<br /><br />And, actually, we did see a glow worm in the garden the other night!<br /><br />F x<br /><br />Ps - sorry I've not been blogging much. In the middle of my final fling with work. Like everything, interesting but very challenging!<br />Speak soon<br />F xFiona Parker in Malawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724303469710645792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108487158114078638.post-38249675525959193842010-03-04T15:46:00.002+02:002010-03-04T15:49:11.122+02:00Some pics of the hoaching garden<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILJVLXOjwTFI4SL4zCGpDKonFaVDmfGdxdJE2EApZR-ABXUl-JbjmzA6PVG2tR4CkBXO5Lqkb4EMy_KXD3BvbasFWpKbMOlssV4o8oOGRtuIqW5C3wV-3AUckXK4QT6t0RN4vaBZMEkwP/s1600-h/P1070839+(600+x+450).jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444775065345929186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILJVLXOjwTFI4SL4zCGpDKonFaVDmfGdxdJE2EApZR-ABXUl-JbjmzA6PVG2tR4CkBXO5Lqkb4EMy_KXD3BvbasFWpKbMOlssV4o8oOGRtuIqW5C3wV-3AUckXK4QT6t0RN4vaBZMEkwP/s320/P1070839+(600+x+450).jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BhgZV6_jkGrLIHpjXh8Ge-s6oPsQc7HuKsrhFDalioVeUsTlDY6PK-sVHHPpBgd-jnprT0qljknz21rIIuttg-j_rkc0XO_7E-HfPkLpfckW41OhvLaBwgMbezeCXtUQWVGmIClvlsJw/s1600-h/P1070827+(600+x+450).jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444775066787478706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BhgZV6_jkGrLIHpjXh8Ge-s6oPsQc7HuKsrhFDalioVeUsTlDY6PK-sVHHPpBgd-jnprT0qljknz21rIIuttg-j_rkc0XO_7E-HfPkLpfckW41OhvLaBwgMbezeCXtUQWVGmIClvlsJw/s320/P1070827+(600+x+450).jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiEhTFmUM8PIShmcCLiHxN2Z8nOXKdu7MVKa6QPfOxRJHkpYx_5KmzeXlChiWgcWrrFv1-ZCW1TMoyV_5VEy9hZCWGpx0ALr1WtggJPEorvoS4GlktxIcDjV1aOcw6qCutZyFx29a7Txu/s1600-h/P1070843+(600+x+450).jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444775057657474498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiEhTFmUM8PIShmcCLiHxN2Z8nOXKdu7MVKa6QPfOxRJHkpYx_5KmzeXlChiWgcWrrFv1-ZCW1TMoyV_5VEy9hZCWGpx0ALr1WtggJPEorvoS4GlktxIcDjV1aOcw6qCutZyFx29a7Txu/s320/P1070843+(600+x+450).jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHy9tBQfWsnDBUJKIjDMOUV9HDx9GTJjoLJXakt2efnk0MfFJcMmVZRNnmZoKq9WKo943JXBwQQYIxv2PqO4kuueORRFxzoX4xaFmpUzuO20PNU1Y7jEStGkubccBu-nj0q1uvRurmdD9u/s1600-h/P1070841+(600+x+450).jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444775050589517010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHy9tBQfWsnDBUJKIjDMOUV9HDx9GTJjoLJXakt2efnk0MfFJcMmVZRNnmZoKq9WKo943JXBwQQYIxv2PqO4kuueORRFxzoX4xaFmpUzuO20PNU1Y7jEStGkubccBu-nj0q1uvRurmdD9u/s320/P1070841+(600+x+450).jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzB-H-JiEwqu_ZyaW7I9JBqOEzLh5W0SleBltywYmR7-fIu2GPqNnZjdE-zsW_nb0VNaOpKTM9wqgWFS6n9IWS8cKFIpRepU4hNa19d5ROH8XGlWOclN0wHWBLTn77fFtoDf7dIs2l7fug/s1600-h/P1070823+(450+x+600).jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444775041936898594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzB-H-JiEwqu_ZyaW7I9JBqOEzLh5W0SleBltywYmR7-fIu2GPqNnZjdE-zsW_nb0VNaOpKTM9wqgWFS6n9IWS8cKFIpRepU4hNa19d5ROH8XGlWOclN0wHWBLTn77fFtoDf7dIs2l7fug/s320/P1070823+(450+x+600).jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Fiona Parker in Malawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724303469710645792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108487158114078638.post-29648097720378603632010-03-04T15:44:00.002+02:002010-03-04T15:46:06.988+02:00Stop the PressSteers (SA Burger King type outfit) has come to town - we now have a fast food outlet - check, us, out!<br /><br />I can report that the burgers and chips are just what you would expect - fast food is crap the world over. But, Malawi is now officially on the map - woo hoo!<br /><br />Raining a lot. Nothing much else happening.<br /><br />F xFiona Parker in Malawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724303469710645792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108487158114078638.post-61002861701660137222010-02-21T20:09:00.003+02:002010-02-21T20:15:47.784+02:00Here's some other random stuff that's been going on:- Still very hot and very wet. Slugs abound. A says our cooling, stand-alone fan is "the best thing that every happened to him...except me...<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">because</span> I bought the fan."<br /><br /> - The low ride has been in the wars. Davina reversed into it, separately we had to get the clutch replaced and for the first time ever it wouldn't start whilst we were in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">LLW</span>. A abandoned me for some big important meeting but, to my universal credit, I fiddled about with the engine until it started! (Me and a random Malawian dude who had wandered over to see what was going on).<br /><br /> - I'm getting very tired of living in a hut. So tired, I took one look at the place A had booked for us Fri night and walked out again. "I'm simply not staying there, I don't care if we drive through the night" says I. So, we got the credit card out and checked into a 007 style hotel of neat paths and gardens with a whitewashed private chalet over-looking the lake. We loved it - hunkered down in thunder storm with proper crisp sheets, bath, TV & room service - B.L.I.S.S.<br /><br /> - We've given up booze for lent. Seriously, we have.<br /><br />F xFiona Parker in Malawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724303469710645792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108487158114078638.post-28042219581032228862010-02-21T20:00:00.002+02:002010-02-21T20:09:49.436+02:00"You don't need to pay, this is a Government bus!"Perfect little cameo of how things seem strange and broken but often turn out alright: I finished my meetings on Capital Hill (home of various government ministries that overlooks shiny, shiny, new, Chinese built and funded, parliament building) early. It would be a while before A could collect me, I needed to get a taxi back into town.<br /><br />Asking the security guards for a taxi number <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">initiated</span> a universe of fussing about. Five men standing outside gesticulating and debating various options. Regretting causing such a furore, I tried to excuse myself, said it was no problem, if there were no taxis I would happily wait for my husband.<br /><br />20 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">mins</span> later, slightly out of breath man comes up and says "the transport is ready, come with me". Gulp. 'I don't want to offend someone who has gone out of their way to get a mate to help me, but I also don't want to get into a random car with a stranger...what to do???' I thought, as I struggled to keep up over potholes and puddles, uncomfortable in my now unfamiliar suit and heals.<br /><br />To my relief he proudly pointed to a smart looking coach. "Get on, they will take you, this is a government bus, it goes far far but will drop you at city. No pay, this is a government bus". He beamed.<br /><br />And sure enough, another 20 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">mins</span> of being stared at by the everyday bus goers, listening to universally recognisable post work banter and wondering whether I too should buy some cassava, and we were off.<br /><br />Another 15 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">mins</span> after that and I was sitting sipping a cool lemonade in a proper swanky hotel. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">All's</span> well that ends in a comfy chair.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Fx</span><br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ps</span> - Think I might have made the wrong snap decision in not standing for the Justice Minister as he walked past me in reception....what would you have done?Fiona Parker in Malawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724303469710645792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108487158114078638.post-39906620493797968762010-02-21T19:50:00.004+02:002010-02-21T20:00:47.333+02:00Going to see the Chesi NunsIs, according to A, a bit like going to see the elves. True enough, we were in LLW last week for work a spot of hob-nobbing at the British High-Commission (check us out!) and took the chance to visit these small, powerful, women.<br /><br />Out east of LLW, towards Salima on the lakeshore, they run an orphanage. What an orphange. There are five fully fledged nuns, a trainee one, 120 children and a scattering of local mothers and teachers. Their set up is incredible. Almost entirely food-sufficient, the classrooms and bedrooms are warm and clean and painted in the loveliest colours. The children get 4 meals a day and you can tell - actual naughtiness on display, the place is full of life and laughter.<br /><br />It is such a contrast to the other schools that we have visited. All of which are much better than they would be but for MM, but which are government funded, overcrowded, bare and ramshackle.<br /><br />The Chesi nuns are, in fact, so good at what they do it raises all sorts of problems. Problems with the mothers who often try to pass their children off as orphans to get them in and for the children when they are grown up, trying to readjust to life on the outside.<br /><br />We were made to feel extraordinarily welcome but I couldn't help feeling a bit disconcerted by the contrasts and my mounting questions about what the best way to help is. In the end I'm glad that place is there - it is a cracking example of what is possible, albeit with extraordinarily levels of money, effort and sacrifice. It is also probably as near as you will get on earth to meeting magical elves.<br /><br />Fx<br /><br />Ps - they need soap. Expensive here. Sussing out best way to post to them....Fiona Parker in Malawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724303469710645792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108487158114078638.post-26356834466040317572010-02-08T13:23:00.003+02:002010-02-08T13:26:01.980+02:00(Some of) the Suewdi family, the guava tree, doocot & their namless goat!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBsTDvtKBDcDWL5kOogjpPiwP58WnIoOTCcE45u0exm04LQxDRfLX5McfdYofdyaP3BG5pcdFT-_pEnUt26TOSzacfpO0JITgYeUNe7x4HBV0EZ9UrC-oSHEG35h34gYSIK-R-YDDOD1T/s1600-h/P1070776+(450+x+600).jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435832202470775250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBsTDvtKBDcDWL5kOogjpPiwP58WnIoOTCcE45u0exm04LQxDRfLX5McfdYofdyaP3BG5pcdFT-_pEnUt26TOSzacfpO0JITgYeUNe7x4HBV0EZ9UrC-oSHEG35h34gYSIK-R-YDDOD1T/s320/P1070776+(450+x+600).jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4U6qPebkbT9o0Kq7nygNe53G6cucpE8x3g6v1UMGGnVTTFKCovYTym07N43R7TjpAFCXFJ0YpycZuKNhV5TjmrODcXkRuE1d_Ev5kCo-nRF-QVYPiE0OoOge9lovk-sjDzG4k_D8PIxA/s1600-h/P1070780+(600+x+450).jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435831964797293890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4U6qPebkbT9o0Kq7nygNe53G6cucpE8x3g6v1UMGGnVTTFKCovYTym07N43R7TjpAFCXFJ0YpycZuKNhV5TjmrODcXkRuE1d_Ev5kCo-nRF-QVYPiE0OoOge9lovk-sjDzG4k_D8PIxA/s320/P1070780+(600+x+450).jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>Fiona Parker in Malawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724303469710645792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108487158114078638.post-6759222228397475582010-02-08T13:21:00.001+02:002010-02-08T13:23:01.254+02:00New shelter<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrebMqk9Pgh-RweALopXsUXldjjYruIrOhN-CsWKGN5o-gV9romPTqxiJkZ4H601zOzMtWYM5OniI-jz5IemsW5m4EPtoG5ZxR_hThXp9HLy2DOlipMwljhAn40AejYLgkvnlSXYkYn5W/s1600-h/P1070789+(600+x+450).jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435831572146695602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrebMqk9Pgh-RweALopXsUXldjjYruIrOhN-CsWKGN5o-gV9romPTqxiJkZ4H601zOzMtWYM5OniI-jz5IemsW5m4EPtoG5ZxR_hThXp9HLy2DOlipMwljhAn40AejYLgkvnlSXYkYn5W/s320/P1070789+(600+x+450).jpg" /></a><br /><div></div>Fiona Parker in Malawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724303469710645792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108487158114078638.post-5634068539866704552010-02-08T13:15:00.002+02:002010-02-08T13:21:44.705+02:00Andrew the Chief?Our mate Florian & his brother, a Priest, took us out to visit their home village yesterday. Grand Day Out - high blue skies, good natured banter, pizza & beer - what more could you want?<br /><br />They have a lovely home & we met his ancient mother sitting under a mango tree. Learnt about his sister's tobacco growing / trading enterprise and got A to climb the guava tree so that we could take some yummy yummy fruit home.<br /><br />Florian & his brother each support projects in neighbouring villages to feed the very little ones / provide some relief to the mothers. They are clearly the 'bwanas' round here, every time I turned around some new relative was tapping them for cash.<br /><br />This is how it seems to work - one of the boys of the village does good, gets a job and is then responsible for nearly everybody else. Florian is the eldest of the Chieftain family and should have been a Chief himself. But he and his lovely wife Mary wanted their children to grow up in the city, so he declined it and passed it over to his uncle.<br /><br />A has offered to take up the Chieftainship when F's uncle dies :-) Love it, bwana Andrew & donna Fiona, can you imagine?!<br /><br />F x<br /><br />PS - shelter in photo was paid for by Enrico's fundraising back home - the spirit of the Swiss specials drinker lives on!Fiona Parker in Malawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724303469710645792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108487158114078638.post-62437460469002485312010-02-08T13:13:00.001+02:002010-02-08T13:15:11.826+02:00Some maize (should be about 50% bigger by now!)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQcsJFB-LXxMe60S3rx9Ww3HzmdAYKCkcBN5BYQlU4VYE-_56bvRTERYvpqkne0zhWwFS-NP8aXpVoVc6xpfWPwFVHRXUZSs98Sb_X3dPU4OVLrb97eWnvq29Kq2vlZ8WBYQJInqcHfDJ_/s1600-h/P1070682+(600+x+450).jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435829558955794770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQcsJFB-LXxMe60S3rx9Ww3HzmdAYKCkcBN5BYQlU4VYE-_56bvRTERYvpqkne0zhWwFS-NP8aXpVoVc6xpfWPwFVHRXUZSs98Sb_X3dPU4OVLrb97eWnvq29Kq2vlZ8WBYQJInqcHfDJ_/s320/P1070682+(600+x+450).jpg" /></a><br /><div></div>Fiona Parker in Malawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724303469710645792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108487158114078638.post-4697515268544024312010-02-03T13:40:00.002+02:002010-02-03T13:45:47.690+02:00The Pineapples are HereI've been waiting for this since the day I arrived - pineapple season has started! Hurray! They are sweet and delicious but sadly they are hoaching with teeny tiny flies like the ones you get off Christmas trees.<br /><br />Still don't care. Love them and the fact that they overlap with the end of the mango season and the coincide with the start of the passion fruit. Awesome fruit salads!<br /><br />This is taking me back to the beginning. Pineapples had just ended and passion fruit were in full swing when I first arrived. It's been brilliant fun enjoying the utterly delicious fruit and veg and wondering what comes next.<br /><br />I should have kept a note, but from memory, the rough order (Jan-Dec) goes something like:<br /><br />Pineapples, passion fruit, avocados, sugarcane, oranges, aubergine, paw paw, green beans, peas, cauliflower, mushrooms, pumpkin, mangoes.<br /><br />Tomatoes, onions, spinach, bananas, green peppers, carrots, sweet potato & courgette seem to have been constant.<br /><br />Yum yum yum.<br />F xFiona Parker in Malawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724303469710645792noreply@blogger.com0