My friend, the unmatched Fit as a Fruitcake, gifted me a sparkling new selfie stick for my last birthday. I opened the prettily wrapped present and peeked eagerly at its contents, then thanked my funny friend with a wry smile. She knows me well.
My friends and I agreed that I should report back with spellbinding snapshots from supermarket trips (Fairy Liquid or shop’s own brand?) and other exciting action-packed activities.
But I have failed to deliver.
So now the selfie stick is stashed in my suitcase, ready to rise above the clouds and fly to Africa. Not because I’m starting to take it (the stick) seriously (efforts like this will always make me chuckle).
But a battle of selfie batons is unlikely in Malawi – I know of no bans such as those that exist in many tourist hot-spots. And perhaps when the gentle rhythm of Chichewa fails me, and my hosts’ faces speak their incomprehension, a wave of my silly wand will magic up a smile or two.
In any case, I may as well use my selfie stick before it becomes obsolete, giving way to winged devices that rely on facial recognition (very clever). My guess is that our Malawian friends will take the selfie stick as its gift to me was intended (as a giggle), and I’ll be sure to include Fit as a Fruitcake in any daft photos too.
So ndapita (goodbye) …
You may like to know that drones of another kind are saving lives in Malawi.
Have Paprika, Will Travel 