Mount Mulanje - also known as Mulanje Massif, the highest mountain in Malawi at 3002 meters, also has the tallest open rock face and longest rock-climbing route in Africa
Disclaimer: You all know you can't separate math from me. There will be a bit of it in this.
Yesterday (Friday), a group of us here at Malamulo went on an adventure to Mount Mulanje. The adventure rarely comprises of simply the destination, and this was no exception. We took Cristy and Elisa's car, and oh did I miss Nancy (the Land Cruiser Wes uses, which I took the liberty of naming)! Yet the car was not the problem, but the road. You (and I) would think that potholes would be somewhat randomly distributed right? For an infinite sample size (this is a conservative estimate of the number of potholes), the total for each side of the road should be approximately equal (like flipping a coin). Ergo, the road on your side and the oncoming side should each be smoother than the other about half the time. Taking into account oncoming traffic, one would expect to spend slightly more time on the correct side of the road than on the oncoming side right? Oddly enough, that was not the case. To further confuse statisticians, the trip back was the exact same, occupying the oncoming lane more than our own. Apparently, the grass is always greener...
Yesterday (Friday), a group of us here at Malamulo went on an adventure to Mount Mulanje. The adventure rarely comprises of simply the destination, and this was no exception. We took Cristy and Elisa's car, and oh did I miss Nancy (the Land Cruiser Wes uses, which I took the liberty of naming)! Yet the car was not the problem, but the road. You (and I) would think that potholes would be somewhat randomly distributed right? For an infinite sample size (this is a conservative estimate of the number of potholes), the total for each side of the road should be approximately equal (like flipping a coin). Ergo, the road on your side and the oncoming side should each be smoother than the other about half the time. Taking into account oncoming traffic, one would expect to spend slightly more time on the correct side of the road than on the oncoming side right? Oddly enough, that was not the case. To further confuse statisticians, the trip back was the exact same, occupying the oncoming lane more than our own. Apparently, the grass is always greener...
This shows just a few potholes, most were more severe, more tightly packed, and harder to avoid.
As for the mountain, we didn't actually summit. R&R was the name of the game, and our fearless yet confused leader Bella (Cristy's dog) took us there with some consultation from her master. The climb wasn't treacherous (the footing was in some places) even though the change of elevation was about 300 meters. Within no time, a cascade of water greeted us, at least until we immersed ourselves in it. While not glacial runoff, the brisk temperature suggested that we not stay in too long. With rocks to warm us and part of the river to explore, I had significant trouble breaking out the hammock. And yet, despite my zeal to investigate all that surrounded me, I eventually succumbed to the rest and company of the gang. We swapped stories of lands far away, strange foods, delicious ice cream flavors, and some harrowing adventures of our shorts lives.
The day off yesterday was certainly lovely on all counts. However, the customary Sabbath and Sunday of no work except homework really threw me for a loop. Here it is Sabbath and I feel like I just had one. Complaining? No. Today, we are once again having potluck. This week, we are welcoming the Haytons from the Detroit area. They have committed five years of medical service to the Malamulo Hospital. Ryan Hayton actually lived here about 20 years ago, so I guess a homecoming would more aptly describe it. Estimated attendance? Over 40 missionaries!
Gorgeous pictures!!!!
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