lesotho

28 days. Countless experiences... I don't even know where to begin. I think I fell in love with Lesotho from the first moment we arrived. The African beauty that surrounded us was unbelievable – even breathtaking. A vast night sky full of twinkling stars, little yellow flowers that seem to glow in the golden hues of the sunset, billowing clouds that drift carelessly over towering mountains, bolts of lighting that flash in the distance on a stormy day... these are all pictures that will be stuck in my memory forever.

I loved almost every second of my homestay in Tsianku, a small sub-village of Malealea. Though my family wasn't necessarily the wealthiest on the block, what they lacked in modern day comforts and conveniences they made up for in affection and laughter. I remember so clearly the joy in my Mme's smile when she served us breakfast at 6:30 in the morning and the way she would cheer us on when we danced in the kitchen. I remember my Ntate's enthusiastic greetings, curious habits, and warm words of wisdom. I remember the absolute elation and wonder my 6-year old sister responded with when I gave her a glowstick on the last night we were in our home, and how we proceeded to run about the village trying to find as many of her friends as possible to hand out the rest of them. I remember crying with my Mme when it was time for my roommate and I to load up our things to go back to the lodge. I remember shaking my head in disbelief when she swung my 40+ lb backpack on top of her head and carried it that way the whole way there. I feel extremely blessed to have been placed in such a wonderful home. After living there, my idea of family has been expanded to so much more than just my parents and brothers.

There are really just too many things to say about my stay in Lesotho. I honestly don't know if I've even processed through it myself yet. I just wanted to send out a simple update to let you all know that I am alive and well. In terms of things we actually did in Lesotho, our time there was mostly spent gardening, farming, visiting schools, hiking, and getting to know people in the local community. To easily communicate some other things that happened while we were there, I think I must resort to using a list since I love them so much:

• held a newborn kitten
• saw ancient paintings by the San people
• went swimming in a waterfall
• enjoyed a 3-hr ponytrek
• got terribly sunburned on my ears
• visited Mafeteng to do some shopping
• dressed up in traditional Basotho clothing for our farewell party
• successfully bucket bathed

Of course, much more than that happened, but those stories will just have to wait. Right now we are doing a 3-night homestay in Bethulie before we head off to Plettenberg Bay... our last stop before free travel! Exciting times are coming. Feel free to comment or ask questions if you're curious about anything – that would actually be helpful for me in deciding what to write :) 

stay well! - Rebekah/Bohlokwa/Refiloe/Mofutu