Pub Night Tonight!

So since we went AWOL last week we rescheduled Jules's birthday pub night to tonight...I am pretty excited as it has been a while since we have had company and I do love to entertain.
The plan is for people to bring drinks or food that you would find in a pub, so I made chicken wings this morning and will be firing up a big pot of oil to deep fry everything in sight tonight...

In other news, both Jules and I are heavily back into work...I know we still have three months left but it just feels like time is FLYING by and I can't believe how fast everything is going. My next main challenge is to complete the draft of the M&E Framework for my organization - I have lots of ideas, but as usual, big tasks where you have to start from scratch really throw me for a loop...I have lots of ideas of what should be included and how things should work, but just need to sit down and pull it all together.

I am getting some research done while in the office, but I think this task is going to call for a full on weekend of immersion in work, the method I employed in pulling my workshop together...so even though the weather is great I have big plans to hole up on the weekend at home and just get it done. Part of the pressure is self-induced as I couldn't change my workplan to accommodate the extra week of vacation so the three weeks I left aside for drafting the framework shrunk to two. In addition, I am TERRIBLE at saying no to assisting my colleagues, so I have difficulty getting much done while in the office, as it is easy, fun and rewarding to assist them when they need it.

With the car still out for the count and no sign of when it might be operational again, we have returned to the car-less life we had before...it's not all that bad really, but things just take a lot of time...and dropping Regan anywhere can be a chore since we don't feel comfortable with her taking a cab on her own, so we have to get the driver to drive out and back everytime.

Luckily, my work has been accommodating and I am leaving early today so I can walk to pick up last minute items we need for the party - with the amount of hours I will be putting in this weekend, I don't need to worry about making up the time!!!

Anyways, wish me luck with the framework, as well as with my entertainment plans for tonight!!!

Back in Malawi!!

We are finally back into our normal lives here in Lilongwe after a fabulous trip to Cape Town.
I can't believe how much the time spent in Lilongwe influenced our vacation plan!
I don't think I would normally even deign to GO to a mall while on vacation (Edmonton Mall excepted because it is pretty much the only tourist destination there (just kidding edmontonians!)). Anyways, how that changed in Cape Town!!!
We arrived on Sunday night and spent the first two nights at Ashanti Backpackers. It was clean and the beds were comfy. If you are not in a party mood, I wouldn't recommend staying there on a weekend, but the Sunday and Monday nights we spent there were fairly quiet.
On Monday, I went for an early explore and had one of the best cups of coffee I have had in MONTHS at a place called Arnolds, where we later returned for breakfast before heading to our number one destination THE MALL.
We went to Canal Walk, arriving only 20 min after opening (and only that late as we got lost), and headed directly to Cinn-a-bonn....heavenly. We then took in some shopping - Regan was pretty excited about that part of the trip! We then scoped out the movie theatre and decided to see one of the first showings at 12....we went to see Tropic Thunder - I have to say, it was pretty funny. After the movie, we went to my new favorite restaurant, the Cape Town Fish Market (it is actually a chain) - it was DELICIOUS....and so nice to have so much selection!!! This was followed by more shopping and then we went to see another movie at 7 - Jules saw the Dark Knight while Regan and I chose House Bunny (better than it sounds).
We actually left the mall after 9, having been there for the entire day and for almost 12 hours.
It was fabulous. I feel like I should be writing some heartfelt post about how much waste goes into a mall like that, but I am sorry to say it was just so nice to be there, I didn't feel that way (then). After the whole week away, those thoughts definately crept in.
The second day was supposed to be sightseeing, as we romped up and down Long Street - we went to the Slave Lodge - very emotional experience. We also did some more shopping and ended up finding a great pub (what we have been SO missing) called the Dubliner - the food and KILKENNY were great.
On Wednesday we planned to go to Robben Island, but the tours were completely booked and we were unable to go. We spent the day by the waterfront - it wasn't what I expected, more or less another giant mall, but it was nice. Regan nosed out the Hagen Daas store (delicious!) and we had lunch at Belthezar (known for its wine menu). The food was excellent, but the service and therefore the whole overall experience, was not as nice as the fish market.
On Tuesday we had moved from the Backpackers into the Ritz for a few nights in luxury. Unfortunately the pool was broken, no air-con was available and although they did have satellite, it didn't have So You Think You Can Dance - but they let us watch in the Executive lounge, so we didn't miss it (whew!).
On Thursday, we had booked an eco-friendly bike tour of the wine regions. To get to the wine region, you meet your guide downtown and then take a train. We met the guide, but then Jules ran to change some money and disappeared! We missed the train and the guide was getting worried...Regan and I were also completely freaked out by the time Jules returned almost 20 min later! Glad to have him back safe at any rate, I guess he was held up by a teller that took his passport and then disappeared into a back room and didn't come out again. Forsaking the eco-friendly train, the guide agreed we should just drive out to the region with him, so that is what we did. The wine tour was great - tastings were plentiful and it was SO nice to ride a decent bike again! The day was gorgeous and warm (up until Thursday, the weather had actually been quite chilly) and our guide was really helpful. Since we had driven, he recommended a scenic drive on the way home that was spectacular - taking us up to Gordon's Bay before returning to Cape Town and having dinner at a THAI restaurant (we have two chinese restaurants here and that is the extent of the asian selection in Lilongwe) called Yindees...it was delicious.
On Friday, we did the 'Cape Drive', driving most of the way around the southern cape...again, a ride loaded with amazing views. We stopped at Boulder Beach to see the famous Penguin colony, but unfortunately for us, penguins were not out for some reason, though we did view two poor little guys huddled up against a rock.
We also stopped for a little beach time - the waters are supposed to be a bit warmer than the freezing Atlantic waters closer to Cape Town - but 'bit' would definately be the operative word - it was pretty chilly! We ended the day by going back to the waterfront to go to the famous Mitchells pub, where they brew their own beer....and then went to movie #3 (My Best Friends Girl for Regan and I and an action flick for Jules).
On Saturday, we packed up our stuff and checked out of our hotel and then double checked the time on our tickets, realizing only then that we had in fact bought tickets leaving Sunday, not Saturday. Two hours of confusion and phone calls later, we finally managed to let everyone know that we would be back a day later than planned...unfortunately it wasn't really possible to change our tickets. We spent the afternoon in Clifton hanging on the beach. It was the first really hot day we had experienced in Cape Town, so it was a perfect day for it - it was even hot enough that we ventured into the freezing Atlantic for a dip. Although cold, the beaches in Cape Town are spectacularly gorgeous. We ate a late lunch at Wang Thai for a second taste of Thai food (I have to say, it was even better than Yindees). It was a great day lounging around in the sun. To save money, we booked into another backpackers, Cape Town Backpackers. It was nice and in a good location, but the blankets were a bit mildewy smelling...
We returned to the Dubliner for a late pub dinner, which was a great place to spend the last day.
Sunday morning we spent a few hours in the lodge while Regan studied and then returned to the Canal Walk mall for some last minute purchases and to sneak in another movie....The Love Guru - Mike Myers - cute, but I would have to say that I would rate the movies we say from best to worst in the exact order we saw them.
We arrived at the airport really early since we had to return the rental car (Budget - amazing, and SUCH a good deal!), and report that our jack knives were stolen from our luggage (only mishap of the trip besides Jules's brief dissapearing act). The check in guy laughed at us for being so early.
We flew Sunday night from Cape Town to Joburg, spent the night at another backpackers - Shoestring Airport Lodge - great value for money, and then from Joburg to Lilongwe on Monday (yesterday).
We were tired but refreshed after a fabulous trip and a nice break from reality....now....back to work!!!


Anyways

Quick update!

And I mean quick! I have 4 min left of this session!

OK - our trip started out really nicely - we flew to Cape Town on SAA. I wasn't experiencing anxiety before the flight (most of you know I HATE flying), so decided that maybe I was miraulously cured and didn't take my medication....BIG mistake. The first half hour of the flight was terribly unpleasant (only to me) while I waited for the pill I took after take off to kick in.

Anyways, Cape Town is lovely and we are staying at a backpackers hostel now but moving to a hotel tonight.

I will provide more details when not so rushed - but I can report that the showers I took yesterday morning and today were pretty much worth the price of the flight....

Cape Town here we come!

So we booked a last minute trip to Cape Town for this week and we leave this afternoon!
We are really looking forward to seeing a movie...and going to a Thai restaurant...and shopping in a mall...and airconditioned hotels...and...
Also, we are excited to be doing some sight seeing in Cape Town - everyone who has been there has told us how gorgeous it is!
Anyways - will try to update the blog while we are away if I get the chance - otherwise, I will post all about the trip when I return to Lilongwe Oct 19th.
Yippeeeee...........

Changes....

So last time I updated, I indicated that I would be at the lake, in Senga Bay for the next 11 days.
Apparently not.
We arrived in Senga Bay in the evening on Tuesday Sept. 30. The meeting that was supposed to start at 2pm started instead around 5, so I got to my hotel room around 7pm. The hotel I stayed at is called Horizons, and was really quite nice - very clean and new....though the ceiling fan didn't really make a dent in the muggy heat.
For some reason, it is much hotter by the lake than it is in Lilongwe (which makes for a great weekend there, but isn't so nice for a conference or training). Anyways, our participants were a bit sluggish in the hot conditions (no air-con or fans), but the conference went well. On Thursday we started wondering if the facility was really the best for the upcoming week, since it was so hot and most of our lunches and breaks were an hour (or more!) later than scheduled.
So at the last minute, the conference for this week was moved to Zomba, where it should be much cooler - in fact it is the same venue we used for my M&E workshop.
So instead of staying at the beach, the plan was that I should return to Lilongwe after camping with Jules and Regan and on Sunday afternoon drive to Zomba.
Heather was also in Senga Bay, so when we were both done our workshops early Friday afternoon we headed to Livingstonia beach to sit by the pool and relax until the rest of our camping group arrived.
Jules, Regan and Terri finally arrived just after dark, and we set our tent up and went out for dinner. The next morning was beautifully warm and we were up early reading books on the lounge chairs. We camped at a place called Cool Runnings, and I would definately return there - the grass for the tents was nice and soft and the prices were reasonable and facilities quite nice.
On Saturday morning, we were joined by more friends, Carmen and Francesco, and in the afternoon, Bryce (my volleyball captain) and Marie arrived. After an afternoon in the sun, we dragged ourselves up and made a delicious BBQ meal - baked potatoes, salad and steaks...it took a while to finish everything up at the same time, but it was well worth the wait!
Sunday morning was relaxing - more reading on the lounge chairs for me and Regan and a sleep in for Jules. We left at around 1 for Lilongwe, as I was supposed to meet my colleagues at 2:30. Alas, it was not to be, as the Arntz-Gray mobile decided to break down completely on the side of the road about 35 km from Lilongwe. Thank goodness for the help of friends!!! Carmen and Fran and Bryce were about an hour behind us, so Jules and I played yahtzee on the side of the road (to the delight of an audience of about 10 children), while Regan and Heather read and slept in the car. Fran is a mechanic and was able to tell us it didn't look good. A few minutes later, Bryce pulled over, just as Fran was saying 'It's too bad we don't have a tow rope', and guess what? Bryce had one.
We made an interesting caravan back to Lilongwe, Jules steering our Pajero while being towed behind Bryce, with the rest of us piled into the back of Carmen and Fran's pick up. We all made it home at least, though unfortunately Bryce's tow rope broke at the last minute (only 3 blocks from our house!). We tied it up and made it home in the end....but the engine needs a total overhaul, so we are back to the tight budget we experienced in September again - except this time, it will last for TWO more months....ah well, such is life!
Needless to say, I missed my ride to Zomba with my colleagues, but one co-worker has a father that is quite ill, so he ended up staying in Lilongwe also and will be driving up to Zomba tonight, so he has saved me from a 6 hour mini-bus ride.
Of course, that is if things go as planned....apparently we might leave tomorrow...
Life here just keeps you guessing!