First Impressions

Lumela (Do-Meh-La)!

I have always been a believer that first impressions can make or break a friendship...at least at first. So I will attempt to give mine and we will see how far I go in life after this!

When I saw the vast desert with moutainous peaks, my first impression of Lesotho was New Mexico...with a Lesotho twist of course. I was amazed at how normal it all felt. The streets are not as well kept, there is no REI...no Target...and of course only one grocery store that packs the entire town down every isle. The selection is different...and limited. Our new saying is "If it's not a ShopRite, you don't need it". People don't balk as much as I expected, but they still smile!

This morning I followed my new found Indian gone Scottish friend on a run. Akash is great. He's got a great British accent, hates to be touched, and does not like children (but will tolerate them). First impression- I can break him in. A hug a day and he should be set, but I get this odd feeling that he's not keen on these yanks that don't understand personal space. Whatever. We ran along the paths broken by cattle and other animals trying to avoid paddies and puddles. The weather was a bit more fresh this morning but quickly my lungs and hamstrings were burning from the 2 months off of exercise.

Last night we journeyed with Paul to an Indian Restaurant and then to the only "bar" that this town has (so much for night life). I feel I need to give a one liner on the PAC (Pediatric AIDS Corps) doctors old and new of Lesotho.

Theresa is on her 3rd year here and originally from Nebraska. She not only imported her two cats but a car as well. She can definitely keep a conversation going, and knows how to interior decorate. I think that she has the unfortunate luck of having bad things happen- aka a shattered heel, pleural effusions, etc. If you need someone to talk, Theresa is your woman!

Smitha is a little bottle of energy that I will probably need to slip away and take naps just to recover from. She was my "tour" guide around the hospital which meant running me around aimlessly introducing me to the world and talking about how old she was (she's a year older than me). It seems like she will have the energy for ideas...and can keep the team alive!

Meena was my go to girl. I got called by her and checked up which made me feel like my little isolated self was actually not so lonely. She invited me to Swaziland for the bushfire festival this weekend but I felt my luggage was a priority. She's got the energy that makes you feel like you can hang around her just a little bit longer.

Paul is currently growing an afro and is from Georgia. Apparently he gets mistaken for a lesotho local. Laid back, easy going, ladies love him...and that's all I know. He's got that relaxed energy that I am sure balances smitha and Teresa energy and makes the team united as one.

Rajni- my neighbor. She's from the west or that what she says. Laid back. A Shree meets my friend Ashley Curry sense of humor. Hates mornings. And she's gonna live 3 doors down. She can throw a mean light show with two cell phones and a dance floor

Jamie (and Alex) is probably the girl that I'm going to keep trying to steal until her man comes and steals her back. A Maine-r at heart she kept us all laughing last night. She's good for a cuddle on the couch watching the Daily Show when nothing else is going on, and could be my new runner/hangout/ bff if she didn't live 15 minute walk and had a husband. I'll still work on her! She's great!

Alex- also Main-r and married to the above item is nice! Always smiling or so it seems. Chill. Cool. A runner. and what more can I say. I'm just gonna snuggle with both of them when I 'm lonely!

Raj and Lindy I have yet to really meet.

That's Team Lesotho- Akash, Alex, Jamie, Lindy, Meena, Paul, Rajni, Raj, Smitha, Theresa, and me.

I am now sitting with my coffee, waiting for my hands to warm up with the propane heater. Tomorrow we start work at the clinic so the entries should be a bit more interesting and better written.

Amy