Back in Malawi

So I am now finally back in Malawi. I should have gotten here on the 4th, but I didn’t have a passport (I sent it to the Ethiopian embassy in Switzerland and it didn’t make it back in time… The whole story on my new blog that I set up for my travels on the road: fromtanzaniatosudan.wordpress.com).

On my flight I could already see that the country was is much greener now - the rains have started!

One of my bags didn't make it to Lilongwe (which isn't seldom), but it should still arrive. When I flew out from Lilongwe, the guy’s luggage who checked in after me was overweight by 8 kilos. He said “I only have 8 kilos too much, can’t you make an exception?” They were talking a bit and it looked like he would get away with it. EasyJet should take an example in customer care right there, haha.

Christmas

In Malawi people tell me that Christmas is also celebrated similarly as in Switzerland (only that there is no snow outside). In such a Christian country as Malawi it is by far the most important holiday of the year. People usually try to save some money to give a gift and have a special meal. However, you might be surprised that the special meal in the villages of Malawi is just rice (and some kind of a relish, maybe meat), instead of the Nsima which is otherwise eaten every day, three times a day. I asked if rice was so much more expensive, but it doesn’t seem to be the case. They are just so used to the Nsima and like it so much. They say if they haven’t eaten Nsima they haven’t eaten food.

Following Christmas is the hardest part of the year in Malawi, where many have to tighten their belts. They have spent some of their last money on Christmas, and the corn harvest of May is still far away, and the supplies are usually already quite low. They call it the “hunger period”. At least the rains have now started and hopefully it will be a good harvest. If you want to start any kind of business it is good to start it in May, that’s when people have money to spend.