Top 10 Tips for a Successful Lesotho Trip

some Peace Corps friends and I hanging out in town!

Hello all! I can not believe it is May already, this year is just flying by! I am waiting for my rice to cook for dinner at the moment (on the menu tonight is a lovely fried rice bowl) and thought what better time to write a blog post? Since my last post, I’ve resettled back into the swing of school and am just cruising along with teaching. Our second quarter ends this month and we are approaching testing time, so lots of last minute lessons and review before I stress a bunch of 9 year olds out with english and math exams. My parents are also coming to visit my village at the end of the month and I can’t wait to show them around my life in this little corner of the world! That said, I’ve realized there are a few pointers I’ll need to give them upon arrival and I thought I would share my top ten.

1. If someone calls you fat, they are saying that you look happy and healthy. In Lesotho this is not an insult even thought it will most likely always, always feel like one. Unfortunately I am speaking from experience and let’s just say I’ve kept up my running hobby.
   

2. Check under the latrine seat for spiders before sitting down. Also, the tiny piece of yarn holding the door closed will keep it shut even when it doesn’t feel like it. Trust the process.

3. If you see a man with beads in his hair he’s a “traditional healer”. Don’t smoke anything he gives you. Unless that’s the time you’re trying to have, I’m not judging.

4. If you see a flag on a giant stick outside of hut that means they are making/selling joala (diy sorghum beer. the local juice.) If you go in there you’ll have to try some. Again, not judging. We’ve all had our first joala experience. Personally, I would not recommend.

5. It is super common to greet literally everyone. Get ready for a lot of “khotso!” and “lumela!”s. In town, I’ve also gotten a little more than a hello and the marriage proposals and professions of love are countless. Be prepared for literally any interaction you could ever imagine.

6. The dogs here will eat you. Do not pet. This one is pretty self explanatory.

7. Pick up any of your shedded hair to burn. The witches use white peoples hair to make potions and you don’t want a part in that. I had a delightful interaction with my host sister where I’d learned she’d been picking up any hair that I swept outside my hut and burning it for me. I know do that on my own haha!

8. Don’t let Basotho catch you barefoot inside. Legend has it you’ll get sick if you don’t wear shoes because the cold will come get you. Ausi Matseliso’s words, not mine.

9. If women go into an animal pen, then they will become infertile. Be aware. ‘M’e Matsepo’s words, not mine.

10. Village kids. Be prepared to by followed and snooped on. They may be cute but they are also terribly nosy. If you give them a sweet or play any sort of game with them they’ll love you forever and also will show up at your house every day.

Any who, I am quite excited to see my parents after not seeing anyone from the US for the last 8 months. I’ll have to have them be guest writers on here so you can have both perspectives on how their visit goes :)

evening walk village views

As always, Lesotho and living here has high highs and low lows. I’ve gotten to have another volunteer visit me and gotten to visit some others. Getting to move around the country and hang out with everyone is fun and adds to the adventure. My friends here are great and we all keep up with calls, texts about random things that happen, and sending blogs about what’s in the packages we get from the US. (send me some fun snacks, thin mint oreos, or boxed mac and cheese and you will instantly be my favorite person in the world). I miss you all and always love getting messages and calls from everyone. Till next time!

almost forgot the disclaimer! can’t have that!

all views and content in this post are truly my own and don’t reflect those of the Peace Corps or US Government.