Lichadi (Richard) and Livinesi (Liveness) at my gate, flirting with the camera. well me really, I'm behind the camera. I'd really really like to steal these kids. (don't tell immigration - I don't think my paperwork is in line. I got the idea from some friends in Idaho.)

long time no see... or talk... or anything

All is well in Malawi (or Marawi depending on your pronunciation). It's now time to close out everything that I've been doing for the last two years. Can you imagine? Saying goodbye to my Malawian family and friends is proving to be quite difficult. And thinking about donig anything else is also hard. I can't imagine doing something different or living somewhere else. I'll have to do that soon enough.

I apologize to everyone for my lack of blogging. It is very difficult to get photos on here. As you can imagine, the computers and internet here in Malawi are not fast. So here's a photo. Please go to Facebook to see more. There are photos there from my entire time here - home, travels, friends, family, adventures, holidays and surprises!

Cheers from the Warm Heart of Africa,
Bright

Camp Merrie-Woode Reunion Malawi ~Woo-woop!~

The past week has been extra fun thanks to visitors Tait Davidson, Jennifer Harding and Maya Beplat. These three lovely ladies are traveling through Malawi after each finishing three years of service in Peace Corps Tanzania. Cheers to these women and safe travels as they continue on to Mozambique, South Africa, Namibia, Angola and... the United States. Please see Tait's blog www.taittanzania.blogspot.com for pictures and descriptions of our travels. I don't have time to tell you about it here because I'm off to drink cold beer and play softball - it's a Friday afternoon after all. Peace!

"...it only takes a spark to get a fire going..."

Sorry I haven't been updating or adding photos as I should. SO... I've added links to some of my fellow PCV's (Peace Corps Volunteers') blogs. You can learn a lot about Malawi and what we're all up to from these.

Peace and hugs to all of you out there. Malawi is truly the Warm Heart of Africa...

Love,
Bright "Tarheel in the Briar Patch" Tate

The sunset picture is from Dedza where I lived during our 2 month pre-servicetraining. The kids are family and friends there. The house is my house! The cloudy mountain picture is Ntchisi Mountain - it's nice and cool at this elevation so its a tropical cloud forest many mornings. The group pic is from an ex-pat softball game in Lilongwe.

I'm at site now and I could not be more fortunate. I am living at the gate to the Ntchisi Forest Preserve. It's a lush rainforest that covers Ntchisi Mountain (~5000 feet). Lots of great hiking and trails to explore. So far I've seen Samango monkeys playing in the tree canopy and a young aggressive green mamba that crossed in front of me on the dirt road. And there's so much more... butterflies, baboons, centipedes, exotic birds, grasshoppers with gorgeous wings, pythons, spitting cobras, bushbock, huge ants, black mambas. Go to www.ntchisi.com to see a lodge that is 100 yards up the road from me. So life is truly good here in Malawi, which is so aptly nicknamed the Warm Heart of Africa.

Disclaimer

The contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. government or the Peace Corps.