The Return of the Shoes!

Firstly for those of you who were intrigued by the whole Kosmos and his wife story I have an update (Just like a soap opera!!) His new wife has now arrived safe and well. She is not 15, actually a more respectable age of 23. Still he is 40 odd. She is married but her husband has other wives and she doesn’t like sharing so she is being bought by Kosmos. She has 2 young children but apparently they are being sent back to their father (probably for a few cows but they are both male so I’m not sure how that works!!) So all is well and the love can continue!!

The weather has changed and its not very hot and dusty in Rumphi. The winds fly about throwing red dust everywhere. There is no point is sweeping as a trail of dust just follows you straight away! I decided that I needed to wash my ‘summer’ shoes as trainers are no longer an option in the heat. I washed my walking/Jesus (Munro you’ll appreciate them) sandals, which are always smelling and a pair of work sandals. I hung them out on the washing line to dry in record time. I’m lucky as my washing line in still within the walled area of my house. Went off for a hard afternoons work in the office.

Came back and there were 4 boys hanging around the house. This is nothing unusual as they always play in the area. These ones were particularly annoying shouting give me money or give me bottle. They also started throwing stones at the windows. Unfortunately if I go and try to chase them away they think it’s a game and come back for more!! I decided to go out to the bank. Just before I went out they came running from the side of my house and I noticed that my side door was open. I checked and saw the shoes on the line. I moved them off the line and hid them in the boys quarters.

When I came back the little darlings had been in and stolen both pairs of shoes from the outhouses! I was not happy. Bearing in mind that the only other ‘summer’ shoes I have are some rather flimsy flip flops! I went up to one of the neighbours and asked if they had seen anything and she came with me to have a look about. A few other boys said they had seen the culprits but didn’t know who they were. I told them that if they could bring back the shoes then I would offer them some money as a reward.

Thought nothing more about it and was deciding to phone mother to get her to bring a couple of new pairs with her next week. Suddenly a knock at the door and here is my neighbour with the shoe hunters and both pairs of shoes!!! I gave them 50 Kwacha (about 18p) each and a lollypop! They seemed happy enough and off they trotted. I just hope that more stuff doesn’t go missing so they can get another reward! Especially all my clothes once they have been washed!

I’m not really surprised that the shoes turned up as everyone knows everyone in the area and their business! And offer a reward and anything can be done!!

PS just about sat on a rather scary looking scorpion today but luckily I noticed him in the nick of time – now that really would have been sore!!