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On it's way to Blantyre the Peace Run team make a short stopover to picturesque Cape Maclear, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also the first freshwater national park in the world.
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Cape Maclear is home to a vibrant and dynamic local community that appear to live predominantly on subsistence and small-scale commercial farming. Here we see the fishing boats shored up on the lake and the hand crafted racks for drying fish to the east of the boats. In the distance, fisherman ready their boats for their day's exploration out on the lake, and in some instances weaving and repairing their nets by hand, no small task!
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We share the same sentiment, "We love Malawi too!" Having only been in Malawi for a few days we understand why it's so aptly been called the "warm heart of Africa." Such abounding kindness at every turn we've taken.
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This photo was taken just after sunrise. Everyday woman and children head down to the shoreline to wash their dishes and clothes.
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Here a young lady carries a huge bucket of water on her head with seeming ease...but we know that's not the case or something we could manage with such grace!
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This photo was taken with a drone and these young boys, having never seen such a gadget fly, were intrigued with exuberant excitement that could hardly be contained in their dancing and laughing as it whizzed past them.
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...and even more intrigue when they watch the video of themselves just moments earlier rolling around in the sand rollicking in laughter.
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This photo was taken at the start of our early morning run where we made friends with several of the community's young. Also, Demelza Benbow, shown waving on the right, is a teacher at Mountain View in Blantyre who Abhijatri and Balarka first met in Zimbabwe in Kuimba Shiri Bird Park at a Peace Walk in 2016. She had expressed back then what a wonderful event it was and that the Peace Run should visit Malawi, if ever the opportunity arose.
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Our team consisted of (from the right) Frank, Iman, Demelza, Penny and Laudrey in the front, followed by a troop of young friends and Abhijatri running with the gimbel to capture some video footage of our morning's run. We think Balarka might've clocked the most steps though as he had to always run ahead of the team to take all the photos. Sorry Balarka for drawing the shortest straw, but you are also our fittest member of the team!
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Lots of curious onlookers. The team grew and ebbed as people joined us for short sprints, either stopping when they got tired, or went too far from their original destination.
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We love how the baobab trees are preserved and stand tall as a beacon of pride in the village. It is said that carbon dating of the trees reveal that baobabs can live to an age of over two thousand years. If only trees could talk, the stories they would tell!
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Proud flag of Malawi waving in the wind as chants of "Mtendere Wathamanga!" are echoed through the streets, encouraging others to join us on our run. This is Chechewa for "Peace Run!"
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Iman, holding the Peace Torch and Frank, holding the Malawian flag are friends and entrepeneurs who make their living selling locally made wares, paintings, jewellery and even clothes that they sew themselves. They share with us their love of running telling us that running makes them strong.
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We met this group of four young boys (in front of Iman holding the torch) earlier in the morning. On the side they also front as a band playing music for tourists. They loved seeing us run and opted instead to forego band practise for an early morning run.
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In the spirit of the Peace Run, the world's longest running relay, we take turns to hold the Peace Torch. Here Frank takes the lead.
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Yet another majestic baobab tree, and yes it's very, very tall! Look how small we are in comparison.
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A few of the local villagers sit outside for Sunday service at the St Thomas Church. We must've looked like quite a sight, a motley crew of runners.
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The Billy Riordan Memorial Trust is a clinic that serves the medical needs of the local community and was established in 2004 by Mags Riordan, Billy's mother, and in memory of him.
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Here Demelza invites one of the local doctors to hold the Peace Torch to add her wish for a more peaceful world.
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Iman helps one of the young boys who tripped while running too fast. Thanks Iman for looking after each one in the team. Thoughtfulness and kindness in action.
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Final stretch for the team as we head back into town...seemingly tiny specks in the bottom right of the photo.