Post 5

I've had a lot of requests to write another blog post before seder, so here's a short one.
I'm still in Nkhata Bay enjoying this amazing place, but I think I'm ready to go now, or maybe not quite yet. I've gone on a few nice hikes, including one where I just started walking one direction with no idea of where I was going, and after going into a small village had a group of small kids take me along another path which led to a very nice beach. Since my Tongo and Chichewe, the local languages are basically non-existent, it was quite an experience in communication. I've read a few books, but mostly done nothing the last few days.

Seder is tomorrow, so chag sameach to all, and I think we're prepared for tomorrow. We have all the shopping done, but we need to kill our chickens today so they won't be so tough tomorrow night. We're making chicken soup, rice, and a few different salads. I'm also going to attempt to make matzah, and out of maize no less to give it a local flavor. I've heard maize does not stick together, so this may not come out all, but we'll see. There are six Israelis, including myself, who are here in Nkhata Bay for seder, so you can probably imagine what trying to plan it was like. In the end five of us are going to be there, and on girl has decided to no longer take part. While it's very unfortunate, and I still hope she'll show up, I feel like it was somewhat inevitable. It should be a nice evening though, we'll have about 12 or so people, including Mr. Chocolate:-)

I've just come back from the local immigration office here in Nkhata Bay, which was a frustrating experience. I came into Malawi on my american passport, and i've been using that passport everywhere so far. In Tanzania it turns out the visa is twice as much for americans and british as every other country. So I would like to go in on the Israeli passport, but the Tanzanians would see no evidence of me being in Malawi and would ask questions. I'd probably have to show the american passport and pay for the more expensive visa. So I went to the immigration office to try to get a malawian stamp in my Israeli passport. It took a half hour to explain it, and once the guy understood he refused, but not because he didn't think it was possible. He says in Nkhata Bay they are only allowed to give entry and exit stamps, and extensions on current visas. He thinks I can do what I want in Blantyre, a two day and 12 hour each way bus ride, but he doesn't have the power. I don't understand why one immigration office could do something another could not, and he was not able to explain it to me either and I think was just being difficult. I know I can be less than diplomatic if I'm in a completely illogical situation. I don't think I was rude, but I may not have helped my case too much. So I'll try using the Israeli passport in Tanzania, but I expect I'll be paying the more expensive visa in the end.

Final thing is that I've changed my trip a bit. I'm no longer going to volunteer in Mbeya. I've gotten hooked on the Rift Valley Lakes, and I've heard amazing things about Uganda. On top of that I've heard less than thrilling things about Tanzania, and apparently its the rainy season right now. So, I'm going to Tanzania, but just to the western side for their rift lake, called Tanganyika, and than continue north through Rwanda and Uganda. Rwanda should be very interesting as well because of the history, and everybody I've met who has been to Uganda has raved about it. So that's the new plan, and I'm excited about it.

On Sunday I'm either heading north to Tanzania or taking the boat on Lake Malawi to the next town north, a four hour ride, where Jonny Newton, the British guy who knows Natalie and Dave, is volunteering. I might spend a day or two there, and than do a nine hour hike to a town called Mzuzu where I can than get an hour bus back to Nkhata Bay. I would than head off the next day or day after for Tanzania. The hike is supposed to be amazing, and I'm very tempted to do this. On the other hand for the first time yesterday I felt like I had enough time in Nkhata Bay. I think doing seder will be a good way to finish out my time here, and I do want to move on. I think I'll decide tomorrow night.

Entao...thanks for the feedback on the blog. I was hesistant about doing it, but I've had great responses, and I appreciate that. Chag Sameach!