I asked Cam the gardener to accompany me to a place to buy grass woven floor mats.. Carpets here are really expensive, and this seems like a great alternative. He knew where to get the best prices and we took off about 15 minutes outside the city. The name of the village was called Chisepo (sp?). It was a piece of african life that I love. A goat butchers shop, carpenters selling makeshift furniture, bars,barber shops , etc. Next time I go I will be sure to get better photos. The place was colorful, dirty and full of life. When we pulled up to the shop and stopped the car, Cam said.. "Maybe I should go and you give me the money .. when they see your skin they will up the price. " I wanted to go and be part of the production so he reluctantly agreed.. For about 800 Kwacha (2$), you can get a hand woven mat.. it's about 6 ft in length and 3 ft. wide.. It would probably go for 150$ at pottery barn. Negotiating and going back and forth on prices is common here.. but I didn't really feel like talking the guy down from 2$ to 1.50$ was worthwhile.
All is well here and I am taking a day trip tomorrow to Senga Bay.. I m not sure if Ill stay the night. I have reservations at "cool runnings".. the great thing about making reservations here is you just call and reserve a room and give them your name.. no down payment necessary. Probably appropriate if i call and cancel... Apparently the terrain changes as you move outside the city. Lilongwe is very flat and as soon as you get out into the country, hills abound. Everything here looks dead, but they say the place becomes fully green when the rainy season hits in November. All for now..
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| on the road |
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| chisepo market |
