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
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6 comments:
Nice to have another message from you. You didn't tell me HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Of course it isn't for 3 days yet. Flicka, Doris, Melissa and Robin are taking me to the Seasons performance hall in Yakima to see hear the Celtic Tenors! We don't go till Sunday Melissa's 32 nd birthday-------how can I have a grand daughter that old! Love, you Aunt Ruth
the feves are still alive! (hands up). and we read all your posts. and i know matt misses you. :)
Roll Call! Though you know, I am verifying per your request that I am accounted for and getting through the last month of thesis-ing in Laramie. Filed my tax return today, which will pay for 75% of my ticket to see you. That will be two trips to Lesotho paid for by the government - mine significantly less expensive, surely. :) Did you get my package yet? There are goodies awaiting you.
Love you.
Phil!! I feel happy for you and excited to see what happens next! I think you're going to need a house when you get back so you can host PCV! They could just come and stay; sleeping on the floor and you could turn off your electricity for a couple days! Just for old times...
Taking a break from 2am thesis editing to tell you that though this is unrelated and completely dwarfed in both relevance and global importance to anything you're doing now, I think you would enjoy knowing that our old friend Clark Duke is in a movie called "Hot Tub Time Machine" (yes, that's right, "Hot Tub Time Machine") with John Cusack and Chevy Chase. Not kidding. McKay 2002 for the win.
Clark Duke rules. Hey, where are you going to live after the PC? What What WHat? Upset, sputtering a la Donald Duck.
Califor ni a is lamo.
Nice weather makes you WEAK.
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