Mokema Xmas

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Trip Start Nov 08, 2007 Trip End Ongoing

  Mokema, Libya
Saturday, December 22, 2007

Happy Holidays to all and bestwishes from Lesotho!  I apologize for the length in between entries and want to take this time to remind everyone that the best means of communication are letters, snail mail- remember the stuff in envelopes and stamps?, or for those of you with the cash and time, phone calls.  Once again, my cell phone number is 01126658682629.  You can send me packages or letters to Lindsey Valentino, PCV
                                                                   Peace Corps
                                                                  PO Box 554
                                                                  Maseru, 100
                                                                  Lesotho

Okay, so onto th egood stuff.  I have been living in Mokema since the end of November and living with the Masaballah family.  They are a huge family, which I am used to, always singing, listening to music, working in the fields or with their animals, cleaning or relaxing with some papa, moroho and fresh baked bread.  They smile often, although they are a bit overprotective and have collected me from other trainees homes after the sun sets.  The view from the mountain overlooking the village is incredible.  I often walk up to the top with some friends for Thaba Talk and marvel over the beauty of vivid, luscious green pastures, white puffy clouds and miles upon miles of unoccupied land.  Iwish I could say that I was able to leisurely enjoy my host family and village life but during CBT, Community Based Training, in which I find myself now, I am constantly busy with training sessions.  We are learning the language, receiving plenty of knowledge to ensure our safety and health, and lastbut not least learning the culturally appropriate wayto behave in Lesotho.  The training is a heavy load and I am eager to be finished and get started with the teaching project.  Patience and learning to relax has been a constant theme in my group. 
Don't get me wrong-there is still time enough to have a good time.  Just last night was my friend, Ben, birthday.  We all pitched in(I made a chocolate cake ina dutch oven- quite an interesting experience that has put in the lead for the Carolyn Ingalls Award, thank you very much) to make him a nice dinner and a few of us ended up at my place talking late until 9:15!!!  That is the latest that I have been up talking to friends in a month and I have to admit I fet like a bit of a rebel;-)
This morning we woke up and hiked up the famous Thaba Bosiu(Night Mouintain).  This is the mountain that King Moshoeshoe, the first King of Lesotho, used to save his tribe anf protect them from the Zulu Wars?- obvoiusly I was busy looking  around and did not listen verywell during the leaders presentation.  The beginning of the hike was straight up and we lost a few of the trainees but from the top we were able to get a little historylesson on Moshoeshoe.  During the battles, he would hide his wives in a small cave-polygamy and having mistresses is still a common practice.  We also were showed the traditional entry into the Moshoeshoe's court and village.  Everyone placed a stone on the pile and gave respect to Moshoeshoe's father and walked through three stones placed as a gate.  The view from the top was nice, not as impresive as Thaba Mokema, but we were able to see the mountain that has been emulated as the traditional Basotho hat.
It is really hot here and it would have been nice to go swimming like we didlast week.  Last week we hiked in the Tsehlehane National Park and it was a greatday.  The Country Director led us up through the mountains onto a mountain meadow where we took plenty of pictures that I promise to post one day.  After the hike many of us jumped into the cool waters of the fresh water stream.  The water was shockingly cold at first but after a bit it was rather refreshing and we played around, sliding down a little rock slide and/or soaking up the sun.  I have become horribly two-toned.   My shoulders and arms are brown while therest of my body is pasty and pale.  Let's just say that appearance is not as important here as it is in Venice Beach, thank god!  The trainers cooked us a huge feast and we all were quiet as we inhaled the food.  
My time is up, I love you all and wish you all Happy Holidays!        &nb sp;         &nb sp;      

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