So, on Monday I reported that some demonstrations were planned for the coming Wednesday (now past). Well, here in Nkhata Bay, Wednesday came and went, and although we found it a bit odd that all the shops were mysteriously closed that day and the next, there was little cause for alarm. Then, on Thursday evening, we finally saw a newspaper, which informed us that shops in large cities had been looted and burned. There were also reports of violence directed towards government officials, and of machete-armed government supporters patrolling streets threatening violence. In Mzuzu, police, using live ammunition to break up protests, had even killed eight protesters in as many as three separate incidents. The situation seemed worse than we had realized, and it’s still unclear what the long-term effects of the violence and civil unrest will be. There is now a curfew enforced throughout the country, and the political rhetoric appears to be sharpening. For our sake and of course for the sake of Malawi, I hope that things don’t go from bad to worse.
On the bright side of things, today I began my first day of a four-day PADI scuba certification course in Nktata Bay. This morning began a series of boring, 1980s-production-value videos, teaching basic skills and safety information. In the afternoon, we practiced some of those skills in the water, as well as putting on and maintaining the essential gear. The pace was a bit slow, but simply breathing underwater is something that takes some getting used to. Tomorrow we’re slated to go a bit deeper, I’m very excited. I feel already that scuba is opening up another world of exploration that I’ve previously scarcely considered. I’ve already caught myself contemplating future diving prospects; I hope this does not turn into yet another hobby in my growing list that I cannot afford…
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