Life in Maseru

Life in Maseru doesn't provide the same level of comedic intrigue as life in the village. That's just fact. However, there are some benefits.

Instead of the 30 second walk to school where I only had to say hello to a couple tardy students, I have a 25 minute walk to work during which I greet 10-15 people with a 'Khotso ntate' or 'Khotso 'm'e'. When I was living in Ha Sefako I don't think I would have chosen to have to greet so many people every morning, but I have grown to enjoy getting 10 or 15 smiles each morning with a hearty greeting before getting to work. I think it's something I will miss when I get back to the states, where I'll be more likely to get the finger 10-15 times before getting to work (LA traffic) than smiles.

I pass a supermarket on my way home from work that has 2-ply toilet paper.

I'm meeting Lesotho's 'need for trained men and women' in a capacity that I'm qualified for. There are parts of village life I miss, and if I could be doing my current work from there, I would. Perhaps as the telecommunication industry develops volunteers will have the option to telecommute...

Electricity and indoor plumbing.


Rereading this post, I think it's becoming clear that life here has become 'normal' to me. Work is challenging and stressful and dynamic. My social life revolves around a few good friends, some of which are expats in Maseru and a few of which are volunteers who I get to see much less frequently. Reading and bootleg movies make up my entertainment. And weeks pass by more quickly than I realize. All that to say, I'm really enjoying myself. I still complain a lot, though that is a constant because I think that there is always room for improvement. But, things are good.

Thanks for keeping up with me everybody, and please leave me a comment so I know you're all still alive.

Cheers,
Phil