Heading back in Chitipa

Next morning I organise a shared taxi to take us back to Mzuzu. It drops us at Shopright supermarket and the guys buy snacks for their long ride to Karonga.  I see them onto a Karonga bound minibus and say goodbye. That night they got to Mbeya, before flying to Dar and then home. It has been great to spend time back in Africa with my family. I am back in the Zingilirani and make plans for beers tonight with the Apatseni boys who are still around. Meanwhile to go to Chibavi and meet Mwai Mavado. Then to the EDM's office and meet new boss Jennings Kayira, who used to have an office in my corridor back in 1999. He showed me his Northern Education Division 'Sports Strategic Plan 2024-27'. It was a lot of words but having had a quick look pretty unachievable in my opinion. He offered me my old job back. He said 'sports needs rejuvenating'. It could have been 1999 again. 

The Apatseni Reunion 2025 started at 6pm. Andy, Henzi Banda, Jomo Ngonga, Henry Nyerienda, Victor Lungu and another Henry I vaguely remember were there. Sad news that one of our old players Orthaniel Hara had recently died in a car crash. It was a fun night with Henzie showing off his 'girlfriend', Jomo drinking lots of whiskey and telling lots of crocodile stories having just taken his students to a NP and Henry Nyerienda telling me about his tobacco farm. I had to stop at 7 beers as I had a long bus ride the next day back to Chitipa.  I am up at 6.30 with a hangover. Some yellow buns and a fanta kind of help. I buy a 25,000 MK ticket. Two hours later it leaves the bus depot but straight to the petrol station. The big bus barges its way the wrong way to the front of the queue. At almost 11 am we leave Mzuzu. The road north is painfully slow but it is cheaper and a lot more comfortable than a overpacked car or minibus. I sit back and give into the trip. On the bus I meet Blessings Nyondo, a player from Chinunkha CDSS who was in the team that beat Chitipa Secondary School back in the Chitipa District Finals in 1999. I remember his friend Trouble Silungwe, the tall defender. There is a big red sunset as we arrive in Karonga. Eventually we reach Chitipa at 9 pm. I am straight round to the NaChitipa lodge and settle into room 14 which will be my home for the next 20 days. An amazing hot shower, a mango juice from Maka Trading (Chitipa's new supermarket), a cup of milk tea and a chapati.