A Walk in the Clouds

An amazing two weeks is coming to an end today. I'm in Chipata and heading back to site soon but I have some great pictures to remember it all. My holiday started two weeks ago today when I moved into my new house and a PC friend came to visit for a couple days. My new house is great - a bit too large but great none the less. Because it is so big I need to get more furniture but that requires money I don't have so it will wait. There is a good chance my house will become a clinic after all the PC Volunteers are done!

After getting adjusted to the new digs for two nights we went to Chipata. One night at the house and a few cold beers later, Julie and I left early for Malawi. On day one we made it to Blantyre and stated at Doogles, a backpackers popular w/ white people - they were everywhere! Julie and I stayed in a dorm room with a lovely woman who sells sex and possibly drugs. We didn't have much to talk about. We checked out the sites in Blantyre which included gelato, a paper making facility and the Carlsberg brewery. Blantyre was a great city and I look forward to visiting again soon. *Travel Tip*- visit Blantyre on a Wednesday and go to the free Carlsberg tour and tasting - Probably the Best Beer in the World!

We spent one night at the base of Mt. Mulanje and awoke the next morning to start the ascent. Mt. Mulanje is 2nd in height to Kili for African mountains. It was a tough first day but we managed. Day 2 and 3 were filled with amazing views and ever changing scenery. The weather was great and we had very little rain. It got very cold at night and a sleeping bag was a necessity. We altered our plans a bit along the way but it worked out and we spent day 4 descending. Day 4 was my least favorite but the other days made up for it. Julie and I got off the mountain and bid our guide and porter farewell and caught a lift to Blantyre where we proceeded to eat ourselves sick (and poor)! We also stayed one night in Lilongwe at the Peace Corps house. The next morning we made the trip back to Chipata and it was great to be home.

All and all it was an amazing holiday and I wish the pictures could do it justice. And about the pictures... I forgot my camera cable at my house so I will update pics next weekend. Until then you should continue wasting company time and google Mt. Mulanje!