Monday April 23rd. – Our long weekend is coming to an end. Before we checked out of the resort, we ventured outside the gates where we were “instantly” greeted by the wood carvers of the area. Malawi is well known for its quality wood carvings, and since we knew we wanted to bring some souvenirs back to Canada, we decided we’d rather support the small village economy instead of buying at the markets in the city. We met very talented men, who carve with the local woods, two of which are ebony and mahogany. The hard wood is all cut by hand with a very basic hand saw by one local and then turned over to the carvers.
Worker cutting a piece of ebony wood with a simple hand saw
Once the piece of wood is cut, he hands it over to the carvers to make something beautiful to sell
We left with a few beautiful pieces and big smiles on their faces. Business has been very slow because of the fuel crisis, with not many people able to get or afford the gas for a trip to the lake areas.
Two very talented carvers who were also brothers. Bought 3 giraffes and 2 elephants from them and their friend. All were very happy with their sales
What trip would be complete without a stop at the fish market in the town of Salima. The market is basically a well known area on the side of the road, where all the fish is sold. They dry a lot of their fish on wooden racks in the sun, with flies feasting on them all the while.
This fish was sliced down the middle, rubbed with fresh tomato and left to dry in the sun
Dug out canoes used by the fisherman on the lake
The boys each brought home some fresh kampango fish for their families.
Our driver and his friend were told by their mothers to pick some fresh fish up for dinner, so that is what we did. The distance from Lilongwe to the lake is substantial, and with the price of gas, an opportunity to get fresh fish was not going to be passed up. When Dougras told me we were stopping I was worried about the fish smelling up the already packed car, and I sure didn’t want it in the trunk with my suitcases. Not to worry, in Malawi they have a whole other way to transport their fish home. The fish monger ties the fish together with a palm frond and they are hung on the side mirrors or front grills of the car. Ingenious yes, but the smell wafting into my face for 2 hours was not that pleasant.
After the important “fish purchase” we needed to acquire some gas. All of the stations were dry, so the guys both got on their cell phones and started networking with the other drivers they know in Salima. In 5 minutes we had struck gold. All set! On the road again, and made it back safe and sound after an eye-opening, wonderful weekend at the lake.
life in malawi 