Herds of children are running,

Gigantic pots of nsima are being strirred,

mice are being sold for 10 cents and cooked up

no electricity except the shed with the TV in it, playing Zoro everyday.

I went to a village in Mulanje, right near the 3rd largest mountain in Africa.  It was my boss' home village.  I was overwhellmed with large #s of kids in the area and women cooking in the same back yard and the fact that the latrine and the bathouse didn't have a door.  But I've come to accept a little less privacy.  I even shared the bed with the grandmother for a while.  And right now I gave up my room for a guest staying at our house.  I sleep in the living room behind the couch with 2 others.  Don't worry if this all sounds terrible.  It's not that bad.

On another note, I think I got my 3rd misquito bit.  Yes, 3rd.  Not the rainy season so there's few mosquitos.  I also ate a mouse and wanted to try pigion, but they weren't cooking pigion that night.  Darn.  Well, I know where some pigions are if I don't get to try it in Malawi, right dad?

I met another Maria, she's my new best friend, although she's only 17.  She showed me around Mulanje, we went biking together and shared blankets and she cooked the mice for me.  Both her parents have passed away and she is an only child.  I think of her as someone beyond her years.  She lives in my boss' village in her mothers house.  She's so hard core.  That's why I can relate the Marias that I know.  She's going to school, and that's her priority right now.