The concept of continental body parts is a bit unsettling. Even The Healthy Kidney is a bit hard to flog for the tourism traders. Still thinking about the unflattering reference to Johannesburg, we have in Lilongwe two hospitals, the oldest of which rejoices in the name of The Bottom Hospital. But then Malawi, as I ve pointed out before, has considerable flair for unusual names. On route to the local super market I pass a fascinating little building which is undisguisedly a public convenience.
Malawian language is generally a delight.
Recently someone, informing me that he had called at my house and found me not at home, said I came home today, but you were at large. Not at all. The item was a rather dull one about a newly appointed chancellor having to take his sick wife back to England while the administration mulled over the wisdom of employing an ex-pat. If you happen to be at large in Malawi now, you ll meet shaggy ambulatory hay-stacks carefully following the edge of the road, or stepping aside to let you pass. Grass is being harvested for thatching and compound screens, and huge bundles are hoisted onto heads to be carried home.