Blogs we like

10/13/09: Malawi

Kenya: Very desert-y with patches of greenery

Uganda: A rainforest

Tanzania: A dust bowl

Malawi: Vermont?

These were my first impressions of the landscapes of each of the countries we’ve visited thus far. Before coming to Africa, I naively thought two things: hot and dry. However, the vast differences from country to country exemplify how much this continent has to offer.

Now we are in Malawi, where two qualities have really stood out to me during our hours spent on the truck. The first is Lake Malawi – easily the biggest lake I’ve ever seen (although internet would have to be cheaper for me to want to spend the time to verify this). We’ve spent about seven hours driving down its west coast, and probably have another six to go. What’s most impressive though is how it looks and feels like an ocean – the water blends in with the sky miles away in the horizon. It’s only when you get in it and taste the fresh water that you realize it’s just a huge lake.

The second prominent landscape feature has been the trees with fall colors. A lot of the road we’ve driven on thus far has been surrounded by reds and oranges and yellows of the fall leaves, even though it is spring here. If anyone has an explanation for why the trees shed their leaves in the spring here, I’d be interested to hear it.

So although I’ve never been to Vermont, this is somewhat how I picture it: with the Atlantic Ocean to one side and the fall leaves on the hillsides to the other. The only difference is that Malawi is really cool, while I still have no intention of visiting Vermont.

_____________________________________________

Picture of the Day: A little taste of home… me not being able to dunk no matter how many times I try (although I got really close).