Wandering in Zomba Town
June 27, 2009
This morning is the day for walking to downtown Zomba, about 1½ miles from Annie’s. The purpose is to orient students so they can then make the trip in small groups by themselves. So I set off, leading 17 people down the hill and through town to an Indian run fabric store that has good quality fabrics and an overwhelming selection. We must buy before noon because as Muslims, they close for prayers and do not re-open on Saturdays. Everyone is envisioning what they will get made from their fabrics, so selecting color and patterns is important. Some make their decisions easily; others agonize over selecting from so many choices.
But we finish finally almost as the beautiful green mosque situated in the heart of Zomba begins the mid-day call to prayer. We instead go into the market, where vendors stack their produce in stalls. One section is designated for sun dried fish of all sizes. Another section for fruits. Still another houses the live chickens that usually ride home on a bicycle with their feet tied together. Goats are butchered and cut up in another section. Tin buckets for carrying water are made near the displays of them, the clang of the hammer ringing out across the market. Of course, here also one can buy hardware store items, clothing, household goods, etc. Market life is vibrant – colorful, noisy, aromatic. It’s a total sensory experience.
A few people come with me to an Internet café and we struggle with slow connections and faulty keyboards for 45 minutes. We walk toward “home” at Annie’s Lodge, stopping at Tasty Bites along the way for refreshments.
