The bug story – chapter 2

Ok – So it wasn’t animal lice after all!

After internet research in Maseru we decided on bed bugs. Not the easiest bugs to get rid of, apparently, but after all the work done to the house including fumigation, painting, varnishing and carpet cleaning, we hope they are long gone! ALL our clothes have been washed and ironed and we are getting new mattresses and bed sheets. We’re moving back in after a trip to Maseru to renew our visas and a shopping spree in South African Bloemfountein.

On Sunday we were invited to a meeting with the people of Mathlakeng, our neighborhood. It was held on a grassy patch in the end of the village. First hardly anyone turned up because of a torrential thunderstorm, but when the rain had stopped the Chief himself appeared, and we, the four white girls, were sat down on white plastic chairs in the middle of the circle. Proper modern twist tribal style!!! This was followed by a long speech in Sesotho, where people nodded and agreed. We smiled and nodded back, hoping for the best. (…hmm, didn’t they use to have cannibals in this area!!??!) Then we were asked to speak… They seem to accept our smiles and thank you’s, and we were officially welcomed to the area and dismissed from the meeting.

We were taken back to the hotel on the back of Frans, our South African handyman, bakkie. He and his family have been very kind and helpful to us when this bug story really kicked off, and it’s good to know that people are looking out for us, even though we find the Afrikaans way of treating the local people hard to swallow. Hopefully we can influence at least their children a little when it comes to racial equality!

School is good some days and frustrating others. It is hard to teach little 6-7 y olds when you can’t speak their language and they run riots around you. But they are very willing to learn, and respond very quickly to songs and rhythms. Like Norwegians born with skis on their feet, these children must have popped out dancing and singing. They are used to copy everything the teacher says, so I have a class echo every time I open my mouth. Even my mimics are thoroughly copied. Now the little 6 y olds are walking around greeting each other “Hello” “How are you?” “I am very well thank you, and how are you?” in a high pitch voice. Comic!

Sometimes I think the children make bets on us whities, as we experience children running up to us to touch the “mohora’s” skin, then sprinting away giggling. We’ve also heard that our hair is worth 10 rand a straw, as it is used in traditional medicine to make people rich! Great to know in case our funds run low… but thinking of my financial situation at home I’m worried the medicine will turn out to be a bad batch.

I hope you are all fine! I have to admit that I feel homesick now and again and that I miss you all, even though it is a great adventure being here.

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