Land Mines

Day 1. I realize that we are in the terribly unstable world of Africa, but the reality only comes true when your first day of work entails staying at home until Ntate Pii has scoped the streets to see if they are stable enough for us to return! Day 1.

There was an organized strike trying to keep people away from work in order to reduce the potential of riots, but luckily it was all ok. Lesotho is actually quite a safe country in general. The last time they had a "stay away" was 2 years ago, so it was just a wonderful introduction for us "newbies" into this new world.

Our day began in the waiting room of the centre. The patients with babies strapped to their backs and the entire staff of baylor stood together in song followed by prayer. As the song began, my eyes welted with deep emotion for the sound of beautiful harmony in sesotho. What a way to begin the day! I am so happy to be here and I do not even know what that entails!

We have been pampered in many ways including multiple phone calls from the staff to "check in" and make sure we are doing well in our new homes. We have been warned and provided multiple safety precautions in hopes that we all take measures to be safe. I feel like we are in any latin american or 3rd world country where you don't walk around with your socks pulled up to your knees and a $1000 camera hanging around your neck asking for your money belt to be swept away by the obvious poverty watching you! Come on! NYC on crack...just be careful!

So after our day of orientation, Akash, Jaime and I decided to take an evening run to refresh our brain cells and muscles. Again the lungs took their exercise first working harder than any organ to get us up the hill. We wandered and found an incredible trail along the river that led to a soccer field of active players still finishing a game of pick up. We tried to meander around the military barracks but soon realized that it was not easy and slowly worked our way back toward our pad.

I turned at one point noticing a man in the distance also appearing to get in his evening jog...but like a good girl this always makes me a little nervous (we were luckily on the main road with many people). As the man got closer we realized he was in full military uniform running with beads of sweat and combat boots. We stopped to find that we were unfortunately near old land mines and he was only doing his duty to catch up to us to let us know we should probably not take that route by the barracks again. We all stood in surreal shock, then tried to laugh the reality of the situation and the fear out of our bones as we thanked the man profusely and swiftly ran home for a needed glass of wine! After all of the warning, and three smart well traveled people, I could not believe it! (yes mom, I will be safe from now on!)

Needless to say we will be asking the "safe" running routes from now on!

The picture you see is our "wander" yesterday to a nearby hill. We decided to try and view Maseru from a mesa and as we climbed we would pick up a child. I think 5 of them finally made it to the top with us. What else to do on a sunday but follow the 2 rubias with an indian man to the top of their back yard. The children wore slippers, heels, and or simply nothing to join us in the small journey...and their hearts were made of gold! One girl held my hand any chance and I just wanted to sweep into my arms and keep her. Yes. I am sure this will be a daily pain..trying to figure out how to bring them all home!

The land is Lesotho (Leh-sue-to)

The people are Besotho (beh-sue-to)

and the language is Sesotho ...I think you get it.

Easy enough...now I just gotta learn the Halala language! No problem!

Fonane!