leo, back by popular demand

at least we're pretty sure he's not a "leona"

why i like working in malawi

has anyone seen my usual office?

so this fella is Bagrey...a total blast to have around the office.





the office area is actually shared with a rehab center - this has been nice for inspiration, but rather sad when they're having a funeral.


we also have picked out a nice lunch spot under the papaya tree!





we also have andrew and chibwana on the team (along with about 120 additional staff members)

Carter Philip (the 1st)

He's here!!! At last, the much anticipated arrival of our BEAUTIFUL nephew!! Papa is Park's brother Thomas and mama is Elizabeth. Carter arrived in the morning on May 23rd, at a reported 7bs. 1oz, 21 inches.

Congratulations! Park called me last night and I got all the details on the new and very ecstatic grandparents. Carter takes his first name from Thomas' dad (rumor has it that granddad was moved to tears), and I'm assuming his middle name is coming from Elizabeth's family.

All of our love to Carter and his very proud mom and dad!
Love,
ash

PS. Who won the pool? I had my money on the 30th, so it definitely wasn't me!

much to learn, young grasshopper

apparently, they have a season and I just happen to be lucky enough to have caught the peak.....the picture here does not even come close to showing their numbers. oh, and not to mention THEY ARE HUGE!!! the good news is that the weather is too cold for them now, so they are gone. woo hoo! i was able to sit in my room with the windows open and enjoy the breeze - 3rd floor is too high for the malaria mosquitos, and the bats are more focused on the bugs on the street lights now that the grasshoppers are gone :) wish you were here!!!!



another funny pic from the hotel:

leo the serval

christine wanted some animal pix, so here's the first few. my first weekend in blantyre, I stayed with Desiree and her husband Laurence. Desiree is the lead on the rotavirus project that I will happily tell you about in your preferred amount of detail. meet leo. he's a serval tiger cub, but the men who sold him said he was a leopard. by the way, people will come to your door here and try to sell kittens and puppies. normally you have to say no way, or they'll come everyday with some new animal. L & D thought this one was particularly interesting and not likely to be taken in by anyone else! they also have 5 owls, 2 german shepards, 3 cats and ~25 guinea fowl (pix below). oh, and not to mention twin sons who are two years old......they'll have their own post - cutest little guys you ever saw.

cheers,
ash

away away away away...

The travel went well....it was a hearty 17 hour flight to Jo'burg via Isle del Sol. Then an evening trip to the absurdly ornate casino by the airport (broke even).

Arrived in Malawi on Saturday.........pix above are 1) somewhere over mozambique I think and 2) Blantyre, Malawi.
cheers! ash