Bad Case of Bed Bugs

Three weeks on and still no work and no sign of the college opening. I wish I had known how long it would be when I returned from home or before I returned then I would have delayed coming back. We only know from week to week therefore its difficult to travel very far. So unless they can be more specific about when the college is likely to reopen we have to stay in Malawi. That's not such a bad deal with the Lake, so here I am chilling out at the lakeside wishing I was working, well not really wishing I was working. Unfortunately I was bitten by bed bugs at my first stop. I think I managed to leave them there but I have tracks of bites on places that only get exposed in bed. It could have been worse.

My case eventually turned up 4 days late. The haggis were intact. The party line from the butcher was not to eat them but 3 brave souls, including myself, took part in a clinical trial to see how sick we could become with unrefrigerated haggis. Not one symptom between us so the Burn's supper went ahead, haggis, stovies, cranachan, tablet, cheese and oatcakes. We had a brilliant night. There were Scots, English, Irish, Americans, Canadians and Dutch at the party. Everyone took part in reading Burns and in Scottish country dancing in the garden. I think it was the best party we have had here. Roll on St Patrick's day.

The battery in the car finally gave up life in a busy market town where I had stopped to buy vegetables. I had difficulty making my self understood but some enterprising kid went to get help, probably his big brother. A few minutes later a clapped out car came speeding up and 3 guys got out like Miami Vice wielding a shiny spanner, that they had probably stolen for the exercise. Before I knew it three pairs of hands were about to remove parts of the engine, a tropical storm began to drench us and local vendors were taking the opportunity to shove garlic, onions and every other conceivable vegetable in my face hoping that I would buy them. At least I could see the funny side and had been in Malawi long enough to know what was happening. I shut the bonnet, not caring about the hands in the engine which were removed before there was any damage done to the engine or fingers. A couple of phone calls and half an hour later a friend arrived and jump started the car. We bought a new battery the next day.

The rainy season continues. Watching the storms across the lake at night is like watching a laser light show. There can be several storms in different places at one time. When the storms get closer the whole lake appears to light up, and the wind whips up the water, its quite spectacular. However they don't do much for a good night's sleep they awaken you and keep you awake. Good job I don't need to get up for work.

I plan to stay at the lake for this coming week and return to Malosa at the weekend. Hopefully the college will open. We should be really busy with exams and marking. If there is no funding I think we will still be busy because the week commencing the 17th we are interviewing for the next intake. We have to set the entrance exam and the interview questions. I've never been off work for so long. I suppose I could look at it as training for retirement. I could get used to it.

I hope everyone is well. Keep in touch.