Emily's first music festival

It's been ages since I blogged again, and the poor excuse is that I've been off on holiday again... To Malawi this time, for what was basically 3 little holidays back to back. Travelling with a group of 4 girls, we started off at the Lake of Stars music festival, I've never thought of myself as a festival-type, but with guaranteed sunshine and a chilled African atmosphere I loved dancing barefoot on the beach of Lake Malawi til 3 o'clock in the morning for 3 days.

To recover we retreated to the beach resort of Cape Maclear for snorkelling,kayaking, and yet more eating and drinking. After lots of lazing around it was time for some exercise and to give our livers a break, so we headed to the mountains of the Zomba plateau for some hiking. We made it up the highest peak, 2,900 metres, and the views were breathtaking. I guess it's not surprising that a continent the size of Africa is pretty diverse, but it never ceases to amaze me that in a few days you can travel from sandy beaches and bright blue fish, to pine trees, lakes and mountains. Zomba felt more like North America than stereotypical Africa.

Back at work now, and after 8 months I supported my colleagues to submit our first funding bid today! I'm not terribly optimistic about the bid but the project idea is good so I'm planning to look for other funders next week, in between entertaining Sarah Caddy who arrives from England this afternoon. I'm really looking forward to another chance to show off Livingstone, and also hoping that she's brought lots of goodies from home!

Reflections...

Funny week this week, I'm in Lusaka on behalf of the VSO volunteer committee to help out with welcoming the new intake of VSOs. It's so strange to be on the other side of the programme to 7 months ago! They seem like a nice bunch though, and it's all making me realise how relaxed and comfortable I am in Zambia now.

Not much news to report as everything is now basically 'real life' - went to work, colleagues there (occasionally!), went home, went swimming... but I did have my first experience of Zambian medical care this week. I know it's only for the very privileged few, so feel silly enthusing about it too much, but I think it's the best medical care I've ever received. I hurt my ankle about 6 weeks ago, and although it's not really painful it's still quite swollen. I decided to pop into the clinic here in Lusaka to get it looked at, and within 30 minutes had seen a (confortingly English!) Doctor, had an x-ray, collected anti-inflammatories and been fitted for an ankle support. And apparently it's fine to keep walking on it if it's not painful. So all good for hiking in Malawi next week!

Pictures

to illustrate Emily's previous post :o)