Sonia Marsh - Gutsy Living

Life's too short to play it safe

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Books
    • Freeways to Flip-Flops
    • My Gutsy Story® Anthology
  • Media
    • Press Kit +Videos
    • Print Media
    • Awards-Reviews-Testimonials
    • Sonia’s Blog Tour
  • About Sonia
  • Contact
We Travel With A Purpose

Home can be anywhere you choose it to be.

January 3, 2016 by Sonia Marsh 15 Comments

39
SHARES
ShareTweetGooglePinterestLinkedinMail
Bed duvet
My new studio rondavel

Around 10 a.m., an old blue truck makes it way to the top of the hill, and stops a few feet from my room. It’s Sister Bernadette, the Principal of the Catholic school where I shall volunteer as a primary education teacher with the Peace Corps, and her driver. When I see the empty truck bed, I’m no longer upset that Sister came along. In fact, having a nun with you in Lesotho is an asset, as everyone is eager to help her.

We load the truck, and I’m crammed in the back seat with a large cardboard box, and my stainless steel water filtration system. I’ve finished my ten weeks of Peace Corps training in a rural village and cannot wait to move to my new village which will be my home for the next two years.

Sonia's space
My space on the back seat

 

“Would it be possible to do some shopping in Maseru? I’d really like to go to Pioneer Mall.”

“Yes, no problem,” Sister Bernadette replies, which I barely hear as the radio is cranked up so loud, it sounds tinny.

The driver, a large man, reminds me of a black version on my ex-husband. He cranks the radio up and I can no longer hear myself speak. What the hell is wrong with people’s hearing in Lesotho? My sons used to make fun of me back in the U.S. saying that I must be getting old as I kept turning the volume up on our TV, but here in Lesotho, everyone must be deaf.

“Is that a soap opera?” I ask Sister Bernadette. The man is yelling, and it sounds like he’s telling someone off.

“What’s he yelling about Sister?” I repeat.

“It’s a prayer,” she says.

 

I forgot how Sister always has a million errands to run when she’s in the capital city. Fortunately they drop me off at the mall.

“Is it OK if I take a couple of hours to shop?” I ask, feeling like I’m asking a huge favor.

“No problem,” Sister says.

I run around getting everything done, as well as my “must-have” cup of drip coffee at the Renaissance Café, and then I call Sister. Within five minutes, they pick me up at the mall, with my duvet, pillows and extra bags of goodies.

I apologize for taking too long, and Sister does not respond, so now the guilt sets in.

I’m so looking forward to heading home to my new rondavel, and I check my watch; we should reach my new village by 4 p.m.

After ten minutes, Sister says, “I need to stop and deliver some papers for our school.”

I sit in the car with the driver, and she returns ten minutes later.

Okay, so now we’re on our way home.

“You wait here,” says the driver, as he parks his car on a busy main road, and he and Sister get out.

It’s about 90 degrees outside and he’s parked the truck in the direct sun. I open my window, and there’s no breeze coming through. I open my door, and two young Basotho men start chatting with me. They want money, and while talking to them, I slide my purse under the water filter.

I make small talk to distract them.

“What do you do?” I ask,

“We deliver,” the young man says.

“What do you deliver?”

“We help you carry from shop.”

I then realize I’m at a Lesotho “Home Depot” and these guys deliver goods to their home or business.

“I need money. I have a child to feed.”

“How old are you?” I ask.

“Twenty-four.” He looks skinny and has deep wrinkles for a man his age. I compare him to my middle son who is twenty-five.

At first I’m scared of these young men, and think they want to steal from me, but then I take a different approach; I decide to motivate and guide them, so I ask if they have business cards.

They look at me unsure of what I mean.

“You want customers. So you need to give them a business card so you are more professional than all the other men doing the same as you.”  I show him my business card so he knows what I mean.

“You need to offer them a discount on their first ride if they pick you.”

The young guy’s face brightens up, and thanks me. Now I’m no longer afraid of these guys, and I do hope that I offered them something they may use to stand out from all the others lining up to help customers.

I’m baking in the back of the truck. When are they coming back? I’m afraid to leave the truck as it’s unlocked, and all my stuff is visible inside.

I wait and wait forever, melting in my seat, feet sticking out of the open window, and my water bottle is now hot enough to make instant coffee.

The driver walks back, and I tell him about the men harassing me, but that doesn’t faze him. He gets in the seat and I ask, “Where is Sister?”

“We go inside,” he says.

He drives the truck into the “Home Depot” parking lot, just a few feet away, and parks. Why the hell couldn’t he have done that in the first place so that I could cool off inside the building with Sister. I find her sitting on a bench inside, drinking a soda.

“What are we waiting for?” I ask.

“I buy some wood and tin for the Priest’s house,” she says.

“What? Is there room with all my stuff in the back?”

“No problem,” she says.

If I’d known that it would take three hours to load up the truck with wood and tin roofing, which seems to almost fall off the back of the truck, I would have stayed at Pioneer Mall. At least it was cool and comfortable there.

Sister and truck
My Principal Sister Bernadette and our truck

I cannot imagine how this overloaded truck will climb up and down the steep mountains to my village, and how we shall be able to keep the tin and wood from sliding off, when we hit the rock and pebbled dirt road for 5 kilometres.

I am amazed by the amount of stuff people cram into cars, and by the risks they take, especially when people have to sit on top of one another inside a taxi or hang out of vehicles. The police don’t care whether a car is overloaded to the point of it being a safety hazard, even with children and babies inside.

I can’t believe it. We make it to my new village without a single mishap. The only problem is when we reach the peak; we seem to be at a complete standstill. What if we roll backwards? Will we make it, will we make it? I keep asking, and miraculously, we do, and then we slide down the opposite side like a roller coaster, gathering momentum for the next peak.

state of road
This is what the road is like to my village

My lovely new host mom is there to greet me when the truck pulls up. I’m so glad I get dropped off before the wood and tin panels. I’m exhausted from this entire day of waiting, shopping and sweating.

My lovely host mother and her grandson
My lovely host mother and her grandson

Everyone comes out of “m’e Mary’s house to help with my bags and suitcases.

I’m home.

 

My spare bed/couch
Cooking area with propane tank
Kitchen area
Thatched ceiling/roof
TV and glass cabinet. No electricity, but solar may work one day.
Rooster wakes me up

I have found my home in Africa. I have a habit of wanting to make each place I live in, feel like home; Africa is no different.

 

Filed Under: Peace Corps, Travel & Adventure

Comments

  1. Barbara says

    January 3, 2016 at 9:47 am

    You will have enough fodder for many books when your tenure is over, Sonia! Love what you’ve done with your new home.
    xob
    Barbara recently posted..Scrooge, Joy and PeaceMy Profile

    Reply
    • Sonia Marsh says

      January 6, 2016 at 3:20 am

      Barbara, yes, I am keeping up with my writing.I do have quite a few stories since I moved to Lesotho, and from before as well.
      Sonia Marsh recently posted..Home can be anywhere you choose it to be.My Profile

      Reply
  2. Shirley Hershey Showalter says

    January 3, 2016 at 9:53 am

    That purple just pops out at me. Great choice for helping you feel at home in your rondaval, Sonia. When you enter, you will feel like you are in an oasis. And so will your guests. Your adventure with the overloaded truck on the unpaved highway and the heat and the conversations reminded me so much of our days in Haiti and the Ivory Coast.

    How ingenious to offer business ideas instead of giving money to the young men. I never get used to begging when I travel. I want to give. But how?
    Shirley Hershey Showalter recently posted..Reviewing 2015: A Lot to NOTICEMy Profile

    Reply
    • Sonia Marsh says

      January 6, 2016 at 3:24 am

      Shirley,

      Yes, people have told me to be careful about giving money, as it’s never ending. It happens quite frequently, especially with children.
      Sonia Marsh recently posted..Home can be anywhere you choose it to be.My Profile

      Reply
  3. Rob-bear says

    January 3, 2016 at 12:04 pm

    You’re as gutsy as ever, Sonia. Well done! I hope your home and your work are as wonderful as you thought they would be.

    Blessings and Bear hugs!

    Reply
    • Sonia Marsh says

      January 6, 2016 at 3:24 am

      Thanks for the bear-hugs Rob.
      Sonia Marsh recently posted..Home can be anywhere you choose it to be.My Profile

      Reply
  4. Carol says

    January 4, 2016 at 9:15 am

    What an adventure! I hope that ceiling’s waterproof. Longing to
    hear about the teaching experience; I bet you’ll love it. xxx

    Reply
    • Sonia Marsh says

      January 6, 2016 at 3:25 am

      Carol,

      There was a slight leak when we had very heavy rain one day. We need rain here as there is a terrible drought.
      Sonia Marsh recently posted..Home can be anywhere you choose it to be.My Profile

      Reply
  5. Suellen Zima says

    January 6, 2016 at 3:43 pm

    The concept of time in other places can be extremely elusive to those of us who are used to minding a clock.

    I like your round room and how you’ve arranged it. I’ve always been attracted to dome houses and yurts.

    Reply
  6. GRAHAM michael graham (@ Peets coffee says

    January 11, 2016 at 12:28 pm

    Sonia……..the interesting info you come up with is wonderful…..I completely agree w/ another writer here

    THAT YOU will have many books and articles to write and share with others…….

    this is one of those stages where ones takes a break from the normal happenings here in the US only to find out there is
    much much more personal information /expansion by taking this break / adventure.

    I am excited about what you are doing …….you cannot help but understand viewing these differences and seeing how much all tribes/ all people of various regions…reallly do have in common.

    my best to you…………michael graham

    Reply
    • Sonia Marsh says

      January 14, 2016 at 8:44 am

      Graham,

      Nice to hear from you. Yes there is too much to write about here which makes life so interesting.
      How is your artwork and sculptures? Hope you are doing well.
      Sonia Marsh recently posted..Integrating into My Rural Village in LesothoMy Profile

      Reply
  7. ladyfi says

    January 13, 2016 at 8:35 pm

    Loved your story and your new home looks quite cozy.
    ladyfi recently posted..The colour of coldMy Profile

    Reply
    • Sonia Marsh says

      January 14, 2016 at 8:44 am

      Graham,

      Nice to hear from you. Yes there is too much to write about here which makes life so interesting.
      How is your artwork and sculptures? Hope you are doing well.
      Sonia Marsh recently posted..Integrating into My Rural Village in LesothoMy Profile

      Reply
    • Sonia Marsh says

      January 14, 2016 at 8:44 am

      I do like my rondavel and would love one when I decide where I’m going to be living in the future.
      Sonia Marsh recently posted..Integrating into My Rural Village in LesothoMy Profile

      Reply
  8. Yvonne sagi says

    January 15, 2016 at 11:19 pm

    Dear Sonia, your updates are fantastic. What a wonderful way to learn more about other people and their way of life. Isn’t it great to learn about yourself in this way. Your experiences teach us so much. Take care and continue to update us. Love, Yvonne

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Sign up for my Gutsy Updates

Come on over to see my new blog: We Travel With A Purpose

Welcome!

Welcome!

Click the cover to buy on Amazon

Recent Posts

  • After Lockdown: My New Adventure In England
  • How I Cope During Lockdown
  • My way of staying positive during these difficult times?

Archives

  • ►2021 (1)
    • ►April (1)
  • ►2020 (3)
    • ►April (2)
    • ►March (1)
  • ►2019 (1)
    • ►April (1)
  • ►2018 (10)
    • ►December (1)
    • ►November (1)
    • ►October (1)
    • ►September (2)
    • ►July (3)
    • ►May (1)
    • ►January (1)
  • ►2017 (9)
    • ►August (1)
    • ►June (1)
    • ►April (2)
    • ►March (1)
    • ►February (3)
    • ►January (1)
  • ►2016 (40)
    • ►December (1)
    • ►November (4)
    • ►October (5)
    • ►September (4)
    • ►August (4)
    • ►July (3)
    • ►June (3)
    • ►May (4)
    • ►April (4)
    • ►March (3)
    • ►February (1)
    • ►January (4)
  • ►2015 (60)
    • ►December (3)
    • ►November (3)
    • ►October (4)
    • ►September (3)
    • ►August (6)
    • ►July (5)
    • ►June (5)
    • ►May (3)
    • ►April (5)
    • ►March (8)
    • ►February (8)
    • ►January (7)
  • ►2014 (105)
    • ►December (9)
    • ►November (8)
    • ►October (9)
    • ►September (9)
    • ►August (8)
    • ►July (9)
    • ►June (9)
    • ►May (9)
    • ►April (8)
    • ►March (9)
    • ►February (8)
    • ►January (10)
  • ►2013 (104)
    • ►December (9)
    • ►November (9)
    • ►October (9)
    • ►September (8)
    • ►August (9)
    • ►July (9)
    • ►June (8)
    • ►May (9)
    • ►April (9)
    • ►March (8)
    • ►February (8)
    • ►January (9)
  • ►2012 (112)
    • ►December (10)
    • ►November (10)
    • ►October (9)
    • ►September (8)
    • ►August (10)
    • ►July (9)
    • ►June (8)
    • ►May (9)
    • ►April (10)
    • ►March (10)
    • ►February (8)
    • ►January (11)
  • ►2011 (105)
    • ►December (10)
    • ►November (8)
    • ►October (9)
    • ►September (9)
    • ►August (8)
    • ►July (8)
    • ►June (10)
    • ►May (9)
    • ►April (8)
    • ►March (9)
    • ►February (8)
    • ►January (9)

Also Available At:

Sign up for my Gutsy Updates with Holden Safaris.
Travel with me to Africa as I share my life-changing experiences.

Latest from the Blog

  • After Lockdown: My New Adventure In England
  • How I Cope During Lockdown
  • My way of staying positive during these difficult times?
  • How to Keep Your Mind Off the Coronavirus
  • Follow Me to Dubai on My New Travel Website

Copyright © 2017 — Sonia Marsh - Gutsy Living • All rights reserved.
Site customised by Peace of Africa Designs