Bus TO LILONGWE
On my first weekend at St. Gabriel's it was necessary to take a bus into Lilongwe to purchase food. At Zitha House where I'm staying, we take turns preparing dinner for the group. A small local market sells a few vegetables, but in order to shop for other foodstuffs, a trip to Shoprite is a necessity. Hospital Administator Shida travels to Lilongwe every weekend, to study computer technology, and she suggested we travel together on my first trip there. We met at a crossroads and then took bicycle taxis into Namitete (a 15 minute ride on the back of a 2 wheeler, pedalled by a strong local fellow). We then caught a small bus ( a 12 seater with limitless passengers) for the 1 1/2 hour trip to Lilongwe. There were 18 of us crammed and jammed into the bus at various times. We hurtled down the highway, with music blaring - some gospel, some reggae, some Malawian tribal. We passed acres of farmland ringed by scrubby trees and small clusters of brick or mud huts. The rich red earth was deeply furrowed, waiting for maize to be planted. We stopped at several small villages with markets spread out along the road, to pick up and drop off passengers. Scores of refurbished bicycles, used clothing and piles of mangoes, tomatoes and avocados caught my eye. At one stop a man rushed from his charcoal brazier to the bus offering grilled corn. No one bought. At another stop, a man got on with live chickens, trussed at the feet. He slung them under the seat ahead of me, with their beaks touching my bare (open sandal) toes. I shreiked and the entire busload laughed. It was a bit of an ice breaker, when the muzunga - me - turned and laughed too. I ended up with my toes scrunched up, feet tilted back, knees pressed forward for the rest of the ride. I was oh so glad to tumble out when the ride ended in midtown, where dozens and dozens of other buses unloaded people from surrounding villages. Saturday market day in Lilongwe - hustling, bustling, crowded streets, a too hot sun beating down, women in colourful chitenjis with babies in tow, and men hawking trays of fruit and doing deals. Gotta keep your stamina up on a Saturday market day, before the country slows down and recognizes Sunday as a day of worship and much needed rest.