Ka Pitseng

Written: 2/9/09

Friday was a wonderful day! The form E’s did so well on their exams last year that we got half a chicken the week before, slaughtered the bull, and all of the teachers and me got to go on a retreat on Friday for the whole day. We were going to the Ka Pitseng Guesthouse in TY and were scheduled to leave at 8 am. Well, the students were so excited because Ntate Phoole told them that they will get to eat beef that day that they sang 4 songs (every morning at assembly they sing at least one) and the teachers got in front of the school and danced. It was a special moment and one of those where you see which teachers really care and want to play with the kids. We got into the taxi’s around 9 but had to go to the permitting office. The taxis normally don’t travel past Maputsoe so they had to get short term permits. The forms that had the passengers’ names were never submitted so we had to wait in a gravel lot, hot sun, for about an hour and a half for it all to be worked out. This is a good time to mention that the school also bought every one 3 six-packs of beverage. Most of the guys got beer, as well as a few of the women, and I got Miller, the only American beer I have found. Local beer gives me a hangover no matter if I only drink a little. So, bored, hot, sitting on the side of the road, we all opened a beer (the guys multiple beers) and chilled. Left the lot about 10:30, very interesting drive, I’m still not used to the idea of open containers in cars. Arrived at TY at about 12 and everyone was ready to eat and just hang. Some people by this time were already feeling the effects of their first six-pack. I roamed most of the day, going from group to group. We danced, people talked, no one had any drama (which, usually, I guess there are lots of fights). At 1 the first round of meat was ready. We started with boroso (sausage), papa, and linawa (beans). Once the boroso was off the grill it was time for beef then time for chicken. We ate from 1 until 6 non-stop. I haven’t had so much protein in 8 months. Actually, I don’t think I have ever eaten that much meat in one day. The trip really allowed me a chance to spend time with some of the teachers I don’t know that well or only see at school. It also let me see that they really consider me part of the school and that I have my place in the Molapo community. Hanging out in the sun with a good beer, meat, and good friends really made realize that in some ways Lesotho has become home to me.