{"id":1137,"date":"2015-09-13T18:05:40","date_gmt":"2015-09-13T17:05:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sigbi.org\/kenilworth-and-district\/?p=1137"},"modified":"2015-09-13T18:05:40","modified_gmt":"2015-09-13T17:05:40","slug":"september-2015-first-few-days-in-blantyre","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sigbi.org\/kenilworth-and-district\/2015\/09\/13\/september-2015-first-few-days-in-blantyre\/","title":{"rendered":"September 2015 – First few days in Blantyre"},"content":{"rendered":"

Well we’ve arrived, a bit muddled and tired but all the hold luggage is safely\u00a0with us which was one of my worries. \u00a0 We’ve been tested for Ebola (passed!) had our fingerprints and iris recognition taken so clearly we won’t be able to get away with any mischief!<\/p>\n

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The guesthouse at the Beit Cure Hospital is very basic and rather reminds me of when I was a student. \u00a0 Everyone staying is very friendly but the kitchen cupboards need reorganising, the fridge badly needs sorting and cleaning and there are loads of empty beer bottles that need returning! \u00a0 Would I seem too bossy \/ motherly if I tidy it up over the weekend?<\/div>\n
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There are 3 large plastic dustbins in the kitchen which I assumed was for recycling but no, they are full of tap water in case the supply goes again. Apparently recycling is not a hot topic in Malawi although to be fair they charge for plastic bags, and what has amused me most of all – the single beds in the room opposite\u00a0\u00a0are ex hospital beds! Obviously\u00a0they just have a different interpretation.<\/div>\n
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Little did we realise how vital the candle would be, we just thought it was for romance!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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We\u00a0spend\u00a0Friday\u00a0orienting ourselves and finding where we need to be on Monday.Whilst looking for Chikhu, a pharmacist, in the hospital we are a bit taken aback that at visiting time,12 noon until 2 pm, the families pour in bearing baskets of food in order to feed the\u00a0patients, it’s the same in the evening. \u00a0\u00a0However much one moans about hospital catering in the UK at least we get fed and food brought by visitors are\u00a0generally treats, not basics.<\/div>\n
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The good news is that we get sorted out with local mobile phone connection – it’s much easier to call people as the internet is very variable.<\/div>\n
\u00a0And\u00a0I’ve got a full day on Monday with 3 meetings organised.<\/div>\n