Zikomo Friday

Malawi - Mozambique border

Coming through the terminal is quite simple, you fill out an entry card and hand it with your passport to the immigration official. Then its off to the conveyer belt to pick up your luggage, through customs and out into the arrivals area. This process took me about 10 minutes.

I am met by musician Peter Malata, who, along with his wife, Sue, have been really good friends to me for a good 9 years or so.

I am happy to see the Jacaranda flowers are out in bloom and I spot one or two mangoes on the trees, which my youngest son, who was born in Malawi and adores mangoes, will be very pleased about. I have promised to take him some home with me. And by the look of the watermelons I have spotted on the side of the road, ten times the size of the ones I have been buying in Morrisons, I will be overladen with these organic delights on my way home. Any orders?!

No time to waste, its off to Peter and Sues home, to unpack my luggage, grab a shower and then its off to Capital Hotel, to see Zimbabwean Music Star, Oliver Mtukudzi.

I am greeted by so many people who remember me, this of course was my home for 10 years. First to meet is DJ Eccentrica, who at Fridays 2nd birthday, did the DJing and consequently kept changing the records half way through for something else that he wanted to listen to. Hence his name. He probably has another name that he uses, but this is the special one we gave him after my party!

Next I spot Waliko Makhala, who is a producer at Television Malawi. Then Maria Chidzanga Nkhoma a famous musician in Malawi, all of them remember me and that is great. What is even better, is that they all welcome me ‘home’.

They are right, this was my home for 10 years and it was only through personal circumstances that I had to move back to UK…

I have been somewhat comforted by the familiar sites, smells and noises, which included (funnily enough) the churning of the cash register at the local supermarket, the greetings of people in their local language, beggars saying hello, in the hope that I will give them something. Vendors asking me to look at their display of fruit and veg. “Ooh, yes, vegetables!” I replied.

I am now on board an Ethiopian Airways flight, heading towards Addis Adaba. I am extrememly tired and try to get what sleep I can, in such a position, but glad that I have finally got on the flight, considering the troubles of the last few days with my car. Thank you to my brother Laurie, and his wife, Jane, for putting up with me whilst I waited to see whether this trip was even going to happen or not!

Luckily I have a window seat and outside I can see a distant display of lightning within thick clouds. It is quite a performance and keeps me mesmerised for some time. That and the sight of a distant lit up city. I ask the chap next to me (who is from Uganda) what city it was. He told me quite confidently that it was Baghdad. OK, we have just left Rome (after the flight stops there to pick up people) somehow, I don’t think its Baghdad!

As daylight breaks above the clouds and breakfast is served, I am still extremely exhausted. We are soon to arrive in Addis Adaba. It’s hot and a large group of travellers gather for the flight to Lilongwe. It is a a 3 half hour flight to Malawi and just my luck, Mr and Mrs Smith is showing, with my favourite actress, Angelina Jolie, so that passes the time quite well!

We fly over Lake Malawi and then overland to Lilongwe International Airport. We get off the plane and into a bus that takes us to the terminal. It’s hot, really hot and I cant believe that I am here again.