Hole in the wall

As you walk around Lilongwe's residential neighborhoods you will often notice holes in the outside walls surrounding properties. That's the Malawi equivalent to a "On The Run", Circle K or Night and Day. They are our little neighborhood convenience stores offering a variety of goods, ranging from fresh eggs, bread, margarine, oil, lightbulbs, soft drinks, mobile phone refills..
More than once they've been lifesavers for me, when in the middle of a recipe I realize I'm missing a key ingredient. Or
When the night guard comes and asks for a new light bulb, or for when you really want a soft drink but there are none in the house... Anyways you get the picture! They are just a few steps away, offering a convenient way to avoid driving into town for one ingredient!