It tasted like grass...

I slept in today as I've been feeling rather knackered to be honest in the past few days. I've not been doing anything strenuous as such, but I just feel tired! Not sure what it is, though I'm sure it isn't malaria (oh bugger, forgot to take my tablet today). The heat and humidity just takes it out of me. Sleeping under a mosquito net is stuffy too. You wouldn't think it at first, but it really blocks out any air movement so you just sweat...mmm

I switched rooms today, so that I've got an airier room, with more windows, a nicer bridal gown type mossie net and a desk. I have this sort of romantic image of me reading and writing by candle light at my desk. The reality will probably be waiting for this blog post to upload while trying to swat these annoying little flies that manage to get past the mesh netting on the windows.

Today was quite relaxed really. I paid the market a visit, where I had to explain to people again, that I didn't want a wife, just some chillies, dried fish and rice would do fine, thank you! I was planning on making cassava leaf stew with rice - I haven't gotten bored of the oh-so-standard dish unbelievably! This was a challenge to cook on a kerosene stove that just wouldn't behave and just created a lot of soot. I was doing this by torch light, and luckily had enough light to spot that the dried fish was disgustingly off. Most people who know me that I don't mind eating out of date stuff, but this fish was beyond all that. There was this strange mould growing inside it, and these little larvae/worms crawled out of their heads... eurgh... I think I was missing a few key ingredients as my stew tasted like grass. It looked like the clumps of grass you get on a playing field after being mown, but mixed with water. I did something very wrong.

I was privy to the local council meeting this afternoon too. It was a lot like most other councily meetings I've been too in the UK, in the sense that people were falling asleep around the table, even the chairman. It picked up though, and I found out that the town was to get a gravity driven piped-water system in December this year, with solar pumps that would help pump the water up from boreholes! There was a heated discussion about how to distribute rice from the nearest city, Makeni (roads are the next big problem after water), and they chatted about the reconstruction of some local roads (very very bad, even hard to drive with a dirtbike). They it was my turn. The whole reason why I was there, was to introduce myself and to ask them to let the townfolk know about my research project. They all sounded enthusiastic about it, and gave me their blessing.

About to settle into watching a film now, just a bit before bed I think, with the insects chirruping away outside, and the Milky Way overhead which is clearly visible, and very very beautiful.