Lilongwe Malawi

I arrived today after five riding days. I wish I could say that I rode the full five days but that would be stretching the truth. I rode mostly half days and had a full rest day as well. It has rained most nights which has meant putting our tents away wet. As we arrive in camp the first thing we do is to get them out to dry. The sun is usual out by the afternoon and the tents dry in a few minutes. Once they are set up it is time for a peanut butter sandwich and something to drink.

I am getting more energy now that we have a new cook. He has taken the veggies under his arm and is preparing amazing food. That and the fact the meat eaters can't have our food when they get seconds means we do not have to rush to get our seconds. There is a certain amount of survival of the fittest that is appearing in camp as we get closer to the end. In general things are even and people are getting along well.

The race for the women is a litte skewed as there are only three registered to race the tour. One left at the Kenya border and one is not really racing. The woman who is in the lead is really there as a result of the first place dropping off. So can you call it a race when only one is racing?..not sure but it will sort itself out somehow...I heard through the grapevine the one racer may take herself off the race list as well...oh well we will see.

The men racers on the other hand is alive and active. There are about six or so registered....and while the lead will probably continue to lead until the end the others race with each other each day. It will be interesting to see how the guys place in the end.

The expedition riders such as myself enjoy each day and are not as rushed to get into camp. We take more coke stops and camera stops along the way. I know many of you will be shocked but I am consuming a large quantity of pop each day. It is cold and liquid. Along with this is the increase in consumption of sugar at each meal...on cereal..porridge..peanut butter sandwiches...coffee...tea..etc. I am sure that it will not be something I will continue when I get home!!!!!

Lilongwe is a very Western city from what I an see and tonight we are going to go to an Italian restaurant. I will keep my fingers crossed they have all the food on the menu. When we were at a stop two days ago we went to a restaurant and as usual we asked first if they had everything on the menu.."of course we were told"...GREAT. " I will have the fish and chips please."..."sorry no fish"..."okay I will have and omelet and chips"..."sorry we have no chips"..."okay I will just have an omelet"..."sorry we have no eggs!!!!!"...so we left and did this with three other places before we found an Indian restaurant that had all we asked for....such is life in Africa!!!!

We are here for one rest day and then five days to Lasaka where we hear they have a STARBUCKS!!!...we have five new riders joining us when we leave so there will be about 80 riders descending into Starbucks for a coffee...hope they can handle us all and that all that is on the menu is there!!!

The experience I am having is still amazing. I awake each day and have to pinch myself that I am in Africa and not Canada. Much of the landscape we have gone through in the past while could be anywhere in Ontario...lush...green...wet....trees and meadows...the only give away that you are in Africa is the locals who walk everywhere. We have less than five weeks remaining with lots of mileage left to do as well..so long days of rising and riding. I take each day as it comes and do as I see fit. With a new round of illness going through the riders I do not want to be in a weakened state. I have managed to this point not to get sick and I am grateful for this.

Take great care of yourselves once more as I always say. Life is short so let yourself have some madness in your life to balance the daily routine!! The quotes in the book that was given to me inspire me each day and are always so appropriate to how I am feeling on that day...I treasure each and every one as do the others I share them with. Until Lasake Zambia..farewell!!!