A day of rest! (June 27)

Finally, a day to relax! But not sleep in, unfortunately. I had to be up around 9 because everyone was going into town by 10 because things start to close around noon for prayer, and a lot of things don’t open back up afterwards. The walk really wasn’t bad, and I think we all liked the exercise anyway. Once we got there we looked for numerous money exchange places but either the rate was too high or they were closed, so we have to go back on Monday after our classes. Dr. Kelly showed us the fabric store where they sold beautiful fabrics and lots of it, for cheap! Each of us bought a few so that we could take them to the tailor and have cool things made for us, apparently they usually get them made just in time for us to go back to the states.

The town here is much different from Lilongwe. I like it a lot better, probably because it’s smaller. There are still many people who come up to you and try to sell you their things, but usually it’s overpriced so we bargain. It reminds me a lot of Mexico, but more impoverished than Acapulco was. All the roads are dirt, and it takes a bit to get used to the fact that people drive on the left here. The driving however, really reminds me of Mexico! Crazy drivers, and you really have to be careful because they’ll honk their horn but they don’t stop for much of anything.

We stopped at the market where they had tons of fresh fruits and vegetables; too bad we can’t eat them because they looked wonderful. I did buy tangerines though, because they usually don’t have them at the hotel during breakfast. On the way to get lunch, we looked around at an area where they were selling really amazing art work and wood carvings. Later in the trip we are actually travelling to where the wood carvings are made, and Dr. Kelly and Liz told us that we can get the same stuff for cheaper there, so I didn’t buy anything, but I wanted everything.

Lunch was at Tasty Bites, and it was alright, I’m getting tired of the food here. I would do anything for a real pizza or Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, or Chipotle! Anyway, tonight we’re all staying in after that crazy night last night. Tomorrow is Dr. Liz’s birthday though so we’re having some kind of party at Annie’s again. Looking forward to it. I still haven’t seen a monkey, but everyone else keeps seeing them! I don’t think they come down to where our room is, we’re pretty secluded. There’s a stray cat that always comes up to me at dinner, and he’s soooo pretty! I asked Harold (one of the workers) if he had a name or belonged to anyone and he said no. So I named him Chunk, since I clearly am not getting my dog anytime soon, I though I’d let the cat borrow the name until someone gives him a home. J