At night, I stare into the African sky searching for the southern cross. I’ve been doing this for weeks. One evening, into the tenth hour of riding on Mr. Chen’s boat (that can’t be the right spelling…) between Nkata Bay and Ruarwe, Malawi, he lets us crawl up on top where the cargo rides. I [...]
Tag Archives | Malawi
Turning Around | Mr. Ignacious Mwambola
So much of the news from Africa is depressing: famine, aids, wars, orphans, despots, you name it. It’s not just the mainstream media; I’ve been hit recently by a kind of “year-end giving blitz” when relief agencies scramble for your 2009 tax planning largesse. Lots of hungry kids with flies in their eyes. I’m told [...]
Born on Third: on Drinking with Racists (Strike One)
A friend of mine likes to tell the joke: the reason I don’t like George Bush is that he was born on third base and he thinks he hit a triple.
90 Seconds in Malawi (MaiMwana Video)
Video footage from the current documentary project on a group of women in Malawi (MaiMwana Project) who organized to begin solving the various health issues in their villages.
95% of Cinematography
I’ve been told that 95% of cinematography is pointing the camera at something beautiful.
I’d like to thank the people of Malawi for making my job easy.
Adopt Me: on Madonna, Malawi, and Adoption
When Madonna’s black-with-dark-tinted-windows Land Cruisers came barreling down the dirt road towards the orphanage, the locals thought they were ready. They had printed up t-shirts with the “Adopt Me” slogan and an arrow pointed towards their face. They were ready to run down to the main road with their shirts on, line the road out to the orphanage, and wave at the cruisers as they sped past.
African Sausage
Find a patch of brush. Light it on fire. Catch all the mice as they race to escape the flames. Toss them into boiling water. Wait. Scoop their wet-soaked scraggly carcass out of the water pot. Jam a dozen between two sticks. Run out to the road. Wait for a passing minibus. Sell for 150-250 Kwacha (USD$1.00-1.75)
Chakhala
In 1988, on a trip to Uganda, we carried a polaroid and were able to take family shots, village shots, etc. and give them the photograph right then and there. I can’t seem to find a Polaroid these days. And while everyone seems to get a kick looking at the LCD screen on the back of my camera, it’s not the same.
Pakati
In Chichewa, a pregnant woman is described as pakati (between life and death) or matenda (sick).
Have Camera, Will Travel
The tickets are paid for, the seat assignments are locked in, and at this time next Tuesday I will be headed to Africa. This trip is part of my commitment to “be like Barack,” that is to do everything Obama does: hail from Chicago (check); have two daughters and a lovely wife (check); play a [...]
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Police Room 619, September 12
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African Sausage
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Ten Most Influential Books
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Sioux Charley Trail, Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness (Winter Count #1)
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Sheep Shearing Video
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Welcome to Montanamo Bay: Hardin Montana continues its campaign to become Gitmo North
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Magic City Hen video & Expo this Saturday
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Some Dreamers Along the Golden Line
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The Mind Eraser
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Bright Edges of the Earth
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Acceptable Blasphemies: Reflections on Opening Day
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Welcoming Autumn
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Brad Johnson: Annabel. well, I wouldn't say either sara or i ar...
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annabel: Sorry, meant Sara....
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Seth Gilcreast: Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog...
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Sundance: So true. Honesty and evryehitng recognized....
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Lera Beile: wonderful post...
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