The Price is Right

So I thought some of you might be curious about the cost of living here in Malawi--
We have been extremely surprised at how expensive things are here. Especially when the majority of the population live on less than $2 per day. Take food for example, here are some of the prices

Gallon of Milk $7
Half-gallon ice cream $6
Box of Cereal $6
Loaf of bread $0.30
Bananas-15 $1.25
Pineapple $1
1 lb. hamburger $3

Jar of salsa $6

So how do the locals do it? They don't eat a western diet. They usually eat Nsima 2 times daily with a "relish" or ndiwo of greens and when able, small dried fish or meat. Not a lot of variety.

We have been thankful for grocery stores that are quite well stocked, like Shoprite (above pic). However, sometimes they run out of things, right now it's fatfree milk, and they don't have it for weeks or even months. When I ask when they will receive the next shipment, it's always, "come back Thursday." Well I've checked back the last 3 Thursdays, and no luck. But I'll have to try again this Thursday. It's a little annoying, but I certainly can't complain.

Bottom pic: Shopping for "curios-- wooden carvings, paintings, etc. outside the post office.