Day 3 of the Big Trip

Day 3 - September 27, 2008

I wake up with a shiver and pain in my back that doesn’t allow me to get back to sleep. I had a car pillow and and a shirt on within my sleeping bag. It was chillier than I thought it would be, and my faith in my nice mummy bag was slightly crushed. So I get out of it and grab my bag to take a hot shower. Upon arrival at the “Ablutions” house I knew it was going to be interesting. I turn on the shower hopeful yearning that there will be hot water. The four streams of trickle coming from the head disappoint me and I’m reminded of Paul.
“I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”
At this point I just got wet and got out. Now I realize how early it is and how no one else is awake. I sit outside the roudavel that Ken, Judy, Barbara and Sandra are staying in due to a faulty bed in their original room. Looking across that lake with the sun just peaking over the hills I find myself saying, “Thank You. Thank you God for giving me today to live and allowing me to be in Lesotho right now.” The Kite Runner pops into my mind and I decide to retrieve it from my tent, along with my Bible. After a few chapters in each book I decide to head back to the roundavel and get a cup of coffee. The wait continues, but only for a few minutes this time (I find it rude to knock on an elders door in the morning). A cup of coffee, boerwors and eggs, cereal, and juice grace my appetite. It was a late breakfast but we weren’t expecting a rough day ahead.

Everyone got up and tried to shower but Maseru was going through a water crisis and nothing came out of the tap. No hot, no cold. No nothing (enjoy that double negative father). So, after nobody came to get us we decided to go to town on our own. If you’ve ever been in Chicago during peak traffic times then you’ve experienced a minor dose of Lesotho drivers. I’ve heard stories about the Sri Lanka drivers and seen the people in Mexico city run around. I had the opportunity to drive and watch people step out in front of cars, miss a bumper by centimeters, look at the sidewalk and see a line of people 40 deep to get to the ATM, and try to follow Judy through it. Animals wander freely here and there but mostly it’s just packed and the turn arounds are a lot of fun. If there’s a space a car will fill it, and it doesn’t matter what direction that car is going compared to what direction you’re going. No one really yelled or got angry that I saw. They’ll just honk their horn to be noticed and press in to get on their way.

Once we got to the tourist center by the center of town (I think) we parked and took a look around. Before we even got out of the cars ladies came over to us and wanted us to by Basotho hats. This is probably a cultural insult but they look like the rice patty hats of China. Similar, but a little more ornamental and colorful. Of course, Mike, Ken, and I bought one. Across the street to the tourist information center we went. We looked around for a bit, some of us bought things from the ladies sitting outside making trinkets to sell, and eventually we found ourselves in the gift shop across the street. A few purchases were made and we decided to head back to the roundavel HQ right before Tabs (one of the members of the church body in Maseru - there are four congregations I believe) showed up with the family in his kombi (a VW van or one of similar size) and we conversed for a little while. Diana went with them to get water from the Shop-rite and the rest of us went to the camp.

It was now lunch time. Grilled cheese, 4x2 soup, milk, water, and juice. It was delicious and quite satisfying. But really, it was bound to happen that as soon as comfort set in it would be taken away. Tabs and Diana walk down the path to the door and come in. Tabs announces that his neighbors daughter is graduating from University and he wants us all to be there. . . NOW. Well, who are we to deny someone there wishes when their daughter has accomplished something? No one. We gave the rest of the sandwiches to the kids in the kombi and headed out. Down a dirt road that needed at least 8 inch clearance from the bottom of your car to the ground we trekked (we didn’t have that clearance) and arrived at Tabs house where we met Elizabeth (a very sweet old woman who would eventually give us African names), Tabs’ wife Jacquie (an ex-AIMer and very neat person who makes traditional African outfits) and the rest of their children and friends. We sat around and made formal introductions. After everyone was fairly comfortable with each other we went to the neighbors’ party.

And what a party. Never in my life have I experienced a graduation like that one. At the first house we entered to a traditional song and yell going on. It was something else. Women yodel/ee-ee-ee-eeing, men singing, and food for all after. After the meal there was a toast for the graduate and we said our farewells.

The second party was significantly larger. It seemed the entire neighborhood (plus family and the town drunk) showed up for the festivities. Two large tents had been erected in the front yard. One for guests, and the other for food and the honorary table. People were talking and waiting. The graduate wasn’t even there when we arrived. After 15 minutes the tribal yells began and in she rolled. Things settled down after much embracing and loud chatter and organized speeches started. They were quite nice ... I think. They were all in Sotho, minus Ken’s. This was what was interesting. The man, whom none of us knew, asked Ken if he would say a few words and Ken politely obliged. It was a very nice speech thanking them for sharing their traditional ways with us and encouraging the graduate with adoration for her accomplishment and constant trust in the Lord. The camera lady who recorded this all I had payed no mind to until we found out his little speech had made Lesotho national television. What a star!

We returned to Tebs and Jacquie’s house for a few moments only to head over to another families home for a braai. The exhaustion was evident in all of us as we lay around falling asleep and trying to look enthusiastic. I felt bad because we couldn’t bring much energy to the table. It was very nice all they did for us in Lesotho.

That night we went back to the tent and I did not get chilly. Four shirts, two pants, socks, and gloves are what I donned as I crawled into my Mammoth mummy bag. It was warm and oh so comfortable. It’s a shame that there was barely enough water for a decent shower in the morning.

It was an educational day and I’m so glad that God gave us the opportunity to meet some of his people in Lesotho. We met them again at SABS. But that is for another night.
KCK - ILY