As I am getting used to living here and things that I before thought was very strange, now is just a little bit strange, I realize I don’t write updates on my blog so often. Impressions were so strong in the start, now we mostly realize the differences in culture by the sense of relieve when we talk to people back home (and they understand what you’re talking about and where you’re coming from) or when we go to South Africa for a good cup of Cappucino in a café. I guess this is a natural process when you live in such a different environment to your own…
Anyway, I’ll give you a brief update of the latest happenings…
Aliwal North
About a month back we went with a bunch of young Basotho teachers to the hot springs of Aliwal North in South Africa. The teachers had been loofing forward to this trip for ages, and it was organized for the end of the month when they’d all been paid…
In proper Basotho style the party started already before take off at 7am! We waited around at the Shell garage from 7-9 for everyone to turn up, everyone dancing, chatting and drinking… No morning grumpiness here! As the combi swung out of the garage we’re standing, swinging in the handles of the bus dancing our socks off to the “Best of African House”… dunk, dunk, dunk, dunk…
We WhopWhop, whistle and wiggle all the way to destination, frequently stopping for pee stops, picking more people up or just for a dance by the side of the road… We are a slow moving party on wheels!
Reaching destination we find two-three stinking pools, no other people and a chilly autumn wind in the air. Look who cares! We splash around the pools for a few hours, trying to teach our new friends to swim! Not a skill that’s taught in schools like at home… and with no sea or many pools why would they know? Some pretty comic scenes for sure!
Next thing happening is that we insulted by some Afrikaaners for hanging out with black people! Just like that! Out of the blue! It was a really strange feeling, as back home it just doesn’t happen…
The way back was pretty much the same getting there, just three times as long! Stops in each town to visit some random friends or girlfriends, for some side of the road dancing, food stops, more drinking, more dancing… The Basotho’s are definitely having their partying stamina in order. I was absolutely knackered by this point and slept heavily for the last 2 hours…
To sum up the experience, what we learned about the Basotho’s that day, is that it is not the destination that counts, it is the journey!
Anyway, I’ll give you a brief update of the latest happenings…
Aliwal North
About a month back we went with a bunch of young Basotho teachers to the hot springs of Aliwal North in South Africa. The teachers had been loofing forward to this trip for ages, and it was organized for the end of the month when they’d all been paid…
In proper Basotho style the party started already before take off at 7am! We waited around at the Shell garage from 7-9 for everyone to turn up, everyone dancing, chatting and drinking… No morning grumpiness here! As the combi swung out of the garage we’re standing, swinging in the handles of the bus dancing our socks off to the “Best of African House”… dunk, dunk, dunk, dunk…
We WhopWhop, whistle and wiggle all the way to destination, frequently stopping for pee stops, picking more people up or just for a dance by the side of the road… We are a slow moving party on wheels!
Reaching destination we find two-three stinking pools, no other people and a chilly autumn wind in the air. Look who cares! We splash around the pools for a few hours, trying to teach our new friends to swim! Not a skill that’s taught in schools like at home… and with no sea or many pools why would they know? Some pretty comic scenes for sure!
Next thing happening is that we insulted by some Afrikaaners for hanging out with black people! Just like that! Out of the blue! It was a really strange feeling, as back home it just doesn’t happen…
The way back was pretty much the same getting there, just three times as long! Stops in each town to visit some random friends or girlfriends, for some side of the road dancing, food stops, more drinking, more dancing… The Basotho’s are definitely having their partying stamina in order. I was absolutely knackered by this point and slept heavily for the last 2 hours…
To sum up the experience, what we learned about the Basotho’s that day, is that it is not the destination that counts, it is the journey!
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