Rest Day In Lilongwe and Tyler's Birthday!!!..(my son)

What a difference a day makes. I had a wonderful day yesterday and am reorganized with my equipment and red box. We really need a system with our red boxes to ensure that when we put it back on the truck it slides into place easily. I do not remove my box but take out the stuff that I need each camp site. It all goes back into the top layer as long as it is dry out and not raining. As it was wet each day the stuff kinda jut got pushed into place. So having done laundry and such I am ready for our ride tomorrow.

Last night almost all the riders went to the same Italian Restaurant...it was okay as it was a large establishment. We all ordered at our table and prepared to wait as we usually do...to our delight all our meals were delivered to us at once and only after 15 mins..it was amazing to taste a great pizza once again. When we paid we had given a tip along with the meal money. By the time the money made it to the waitress who took it to the cashier it was short 1000kwacah...the waitress had pocketed the cash. We explained to the manager that we had left a tip of 1500KW for her so in fact she had taken 2500kw...he said do not worry about it...I have no idea what happened to the waitress but we were reminded once again that we need to be aware..and it is getting so old that we are being taken advantage of by locals. I understand that poverty is an issue here but if tourists are ripped off word of mouth will spread the news. The other issue as I have written about is how the price for a service or product will rise as more of us go to an establishment. When we say what we know others have paid they take the right price but if you don't have the info then you need to barter.


Today I will go and visit the local market and a few other places. We went to the back today to get Zambian Kwacha but the line up was around the building as it is every day at a bank here. I guess we will deal with the money changers at the border..an experience in itself. One rider last time was to get 8000kw..about 70us and found out that he only got 800kw..again we must be aware as when the "zoo" comes to town word gets around quickly.

Have a wonderful day if you are reading this blog. May you be a peace and enjoy your loved ones. It is a long time to be away from a partner or spouse and many of us a longing for the reconnection when this experience is over.

It is also my sons birthday today..so Happy Birthday Tyler...as i said ...may your day be as blessed as my day was the day you were born!!!..and as you enter your last year in your twenties know that you can't go back so make the most of each day!!!...love you and miss you and we will celebrate when I return....ENJOY!!!!!