The bags were finally completed at 8:35am but the flight was scheduled to board at 8:45am. We still had not checked the baggage and, obviously, needed to clear security. As we got in line to check the bags, it was becoming apparent that we were going to miss the flight. Bob did something creative yet wildly American. He located an airport porter. There are many of them in Jo'Burg Airport and they make their living largely on tips. Bob negotiated $15USD to get us a front of the line pass to check our bags and an extra $5 so the porter could take care of the ticketing agent. The porter then walked us quickly to a security checkpoint serving exclusively the international gates (we had been standing in the area serving domestic and international flights) and we arrived at the gate with plenty of time to spare. As Ferris Bueller says, "see what a finski can do to a guy's attitude."
Below is the work of art that we paid for.
We retained the wrap and with some duct tape should be able to reuse it ourselves.
The flight to Malawi was just a touch under two hours.
Welcome to Malawi.
We are spending the night at the Gecko Lodge which is a 3 hour drive from the airport in the country's largest and capital city, Lilongwe. This is the first long drive not undertaken with Bob at the wheel as we had arranged for a van to transport us since we are kayaking to Mumbo Island tomorrow morning.
During the drive, the van became a slumber area on wheels with Roman taking to the floor while Dad and Mabret used one another for support.
Shortly after beginning the drive, it became very apparent that Malawi is a country of beautiful landscapes but also tremendous poverty. There are very few cars on the roads and a very limited highway system. The main modes of transportation here are bicycles and feet. The homes are almost entirely huts. While portions of South Africa were fighting overwhelming poverty, the country as a whole appeared healthy. Malawi is quite the opposite as life here appears to be a struggle for almost all.
Malawi is among the world's poorest countries. The average family income is less than $0.60USD per day. Yes, that is 60 cents per day. The economy is almost entirely based on the limited agricultural resources. Because of the poverty and limited infrastructure within the country, the health of the Malawian people suffers. Many people die young from a variety of illness related to a lack of healthcare and proper diet.
We arrived at Gecko Lodge around 4pm.
We decided to get out and stretch our legs with a walk through the local village. As with each stop along our journey, the people were warm and welcoming. A nice woman quickly approached Bob and was anxious to utilize her near perfect English. Turns out that her family came to Malawi in 1992 from Zimbabwe where English is heavily spoken. The most widely spoken language in Malawi is Chichewa although other native languages are spoken.
The guys walking through the village.
The local kids are always anxious to be photographed.
Roman bartered like a pro to purchase a bracelet on the beach near the lodge. The local merchant was very impressed and posed with Roman.
Tomorrow we paddle our way across Lake Malawi in a kayak. Our destination is Mumbo Island. Perhaps, Kathy's most anticipated stop on the trip (we don't count Ethiopia which we all await anxiously).
While there is likely internet reception, there is no electricity so we will blog as long as the charge lasts.
Dieter, the new haircut looked very handsome today.
Jack, Wyatt and crew, good effort in Saturday's basketball game. Making us proud all the way around the world.
Hope that you are feeling better, TJ.
Peace Out.
