Malawi question (kind of weird)

[MrsPotatohead]

@gabasaurus I think you said you lived there?

So my H is going to be leaving soon to live there for a little while before I come for the vacation part.  He's been acting weird and saying he's stressed out, which is something he almost *never* says, so I know it's bad .  He hasn't traveled a ton and definitely never been somewhere so different for so long.

Anyway, one of his comfort foods is cereal so I wanted to find out how easy it is to get cereal or milk?  I know no other country goes through milk like we do here, lol, and in many places I've been it's difficult to even find and/or very $$.  I was thinking of packing him some mini boxes of his favorite cereals, but wanted to prepare him and/or tell him it's ok to splurge   thanks!

[MrsPotatohead]

or I could figure out a way to pack him some milk and butter in his suitcase

[alleinesein]

Sept 22, 2014 12:28:29 GMT -5 MrsPotatohead said:

or I could figure out a way to pack him some milk and butter in his suitcase

Well I have seen butter in a can (parents brought it back from NZ) and you can get that nasty shelf stable milk in tetra packs  

@mx might have a bit more information on food items. 

I'm currently in India and OMG they consume a ridiculous amount of dairy products.  You can get milk delivery at your house, stop by a milk stand or get a variety of milk at the grocery store (our local Auchan has an entire row of shelf stable milk).  Milk is super cheap over here; I pay INR 19 (USD $0.33) for a pint of fresh milk

[MrsPotatohead]

Sept 22, 2014 12:35:33 GMT -5 alleinesein said:

Sept 22, 2014 12:28:29 GMT -5 MrsPotatohead said:

or I could figure out a way to pack him some milk and butter in his suitcase

Well I have seen butter in a can (parents brought it back from NZ) and you can get that nasty shelf stable milk in tetra packs  

@mx might have a bit more information on food items. 

I'm currently in India and OMG they consume a ridiculous amount of dairy products.  You can get milk delivery at your house, stop by a milk stand or get a variety of milk at the grocery store (our local Auchan has an entire row of shelf stable milk).  Milk is super cheap over here; I pay INR 19 (USD $0.33) for a pint of fresh milk

oh wow!  I haven't been to India yet, but it's on my list - maybe my H will want to go there someday now!  He drinks so much milk...

[MrsPotatohead]

Sept 22, 2014 13:33:47 GMT -5 @mx said:

There are a couple of expat friendly supermarkets in Lilongwe where he will be able to get cereal. It might be South African or UK brands more than US brands though, if it matters.

Milk should not be a problem.

Does he have a colleague who has been there recently that he could talk through some of this with? I always like to get the lowdown before I take a long trip about where to eat, buy food, what snacks I might want to pack etc. After a certain point every place kind of blends together in my head but I know (for example) that I want to pack breakfast stuff for Nigeria because I can't stomach paying $40/day for breakfast in the hotel.

thanks so much!  He'll be in Blantyre though so I'm not sure if that will work.  Glad to know about the milk!  I haven't really sat him down to talk through all this yet, but wanted to be armed with some info, like this   He's actually going to be working with someone who just moved there that he knows, so I know that should help, but I just think this is going to be really big for him and I'm not sure he's prepared for how different this will be.  Even his work will be completely different and a huge learning curve.  I was definitely going to make him bring some snacks, I always find that a) it's comforting and b) nice to have on hand if you get stuck somewhere and aren't sure where to get food (or like you said if it's $$). 

[Deleted]

Shelf stable almond or soy milk would totally transport. It's actually pretty tasty too. I prefer it to cow's milk now.

I know this isn't the same, and I've never had it, but what about something like this? www.amazon.com/General-Mills-Variety-Pack-Cereal/dp/B000EMK52M

[MrsPotatohead]

thanks guys!

[MrsPotatohead]

Sept 22, 2014 17:21:07 GMT -5 @gabasaurus said:

Yes, he can get milk no problem! Butter too, like MX said, there are several supermarkets in Blantyre.
I definitely think you should pack him a couple of small boxes of his favorites- put them in zip locks to save on space. You can get cheerios, rice krispies, cocoa puffs, raisin bran, and more but those are the ones I remember buying regularly.
I'm pretty sure I remember seeing Kerry Gold too But of course it was not cheap.
There is Game in Lilongwe and there is one in Blantyre- he will find a lot of things there as well and he can also buy an overpriced Chinese stereo system if he wants too
There are a couple of places there that also have soft serve ice cream.
If cereal is his comfort food, he won't have problems finding it, and I'm glad you're ready to tell him to splurge because they will run between 7 and 10 dollars in a lot of places (!!) There are definitely sales on cereal as well, which is when we would stock up.

Happy to answer any other questions

And here are some Lake Malawi shots to get you psyched!!

MrsPotatohead
View AttachmentView AttachmentView Attachment

Those pics are amazing! What part of the lake did you go to specifically? We were thinking Cape Maclear?

Thanks for the help!

[MrsPotatohead]

Sept 22, 2014 17:33:56 GMT -5 @sfgal530 said:

Completely random, but the African version of ketchup was the only thing where I was like, "No, nope, not even close to an acceptable substitute." It was this weird tomato sauce and was just not good (sorry to anyone I am offending with this statement). So if your H is a big fan of ketchup, pack him a Heinz 57 in his checked luggage.

he's not particularly, but good to know! I remember the ketchup in China was different but I liked the more vinegar-y flavor, so funny

[MrsPotatohead]

Sept 22, 2014 17:46:15 GMT -5 @gabasaurus said:

If you like hot sauce, there is a delicious hot sauce that is one of Malawi's few food exports (other than coffee).
Nali. It comes in mild, medium, hot, ginger, and garlic. Definitely try it while you are there. It's really good.

my H really likes hot sauce, I'll have to tell him!

[Deleted]

Sept 22, 2014 17:33:56 GMT -5 @sfgal530 said:

Completely random, but the African version of ketchup was the only thing where I was like, "No, nope, not even close to an acceptable substitute." It was this weird tomato sauce and was just not good (sorry to anyone I am offending with this statement). So if your H is a big fan of ketchup, pack him a Heinz 57 in his checked luggage.

Ha, all the Americans in SA hated tomato sauce. I really didn't mind it at all! But clearly I'm the weird American who isn't a ketchup snob  

[Deleted]

As everyone else mentioned, I'm sure there will be no problem with him finding milk and cereal! Definitely not as much of a variety as here, but there will be options.

Hope you all have a great trip!

[alleinesein]

Sept 22, 2014 17:33:56 GMT -5 @sfgal530 said:

Completely random, but the African version of ketchup was the only thing where I was like, "No, nope, not even close to an acceptable substitute." It was this weird tomato sauce and was just not good (sorry to anyone I am offending with this statement). So if your H is a big fan of ketchup, pack him a Heinz 57 in his checked luggage.

And salad dressing is another thing to pack in his suitcase.  The South African brands that I have had are so disgusting- its essentially mayo with some seasonings.  Also mayonnaise--unless he likes Miracle Whip.

Another ditto on the American Garden brand as not really being American. 

Maggi brand ketchup is vile!    The first 2 ingredients are water and sugar- it tastes like a cross between sweet and sour sauce mixed with tomato sauce. 

[MrsPotatohead]

*warning really stupid question*

@gabasaurus so I've never been snorkeling before (weird, I know) and I emailed the rental company near where we're going to stay. They quoted me a price for kayaks as well as snorkel gear, do you need to kayak somewhere in order to snorkel there?

[MrsPotatohead]

Sept 23, 2014 9:24:06 GMT -5 @gabasaurus said:

Cape Macclear yes. You do not want to swim at the beaches- it is a high schistosomaisis (bilharzia) area. You will want to snorkel out in deeper water.
We took at boat out to an area. Kayaking is also a great option. The water is calm so it will be gorgeous.

well that's not terrifying at all, lol.  good to know, thanks!

[MrsPotatohead]

Sept 23, 2014 13:04:58 GMT -5 @gabasaurus said:

Sept 23, 2014 11:10:55 GMT -5 MrsPotatohead said:

well that's not terrifying at all, lol.  good to know, thanks!

Not to be blasé about it at all, but it can be pretty common to get it. The best thing is you and your H test for it as soon as you come back to the US. The treatment is simple.  Not all sections of the lake have high schisto rates, but where it's shallow, and there are reeds (and a lot of snails), then you can assume there is schisto. My H is the only one who ended up getting it- I swam in the lake numerous times, and so did DD1.
I just know that Cape MacClear is one of the more prevalent areas. So just be sure to swim in deeper water- kayaking will be great for that

ok, thanks for the heads up!  Now to figure out how one gets in and out of a kayak, lol