Today was one of those “rare” days in Lesotho, were everything fell into place, and to top it all off, I received a marriage proposal. I’m not sure how this happened, but it might have something to do with a change in my attitude since I got back from a much-needed vacation in Paris and California. For some reason, I’m far more relaxed in Lesotho than I was before I left. Why? I’m not quite sure, but knowing that I still remember how to drive a car, that the world back home has not changed—even though mine has—that my three sons love and miss me, and that I have some amazing friends who truly care about me, has boosted my confidence in a country where I often wonder whether I’m making a difference.
So what does this have to do with the marriage proposal during my taxi ride?
Well, for the first time, I was able to communicate in English with my new taxi driver, Elliott (his English name) and John (the man who proposed to me.) Apparently my favorite taxi driver, Sheleng, crashed his taxi during my vacation, and is at home recovering from some minor injuries.
John opened the front passenger door, and scooted over when he saw me waving down the taxi on the side of the slushy, dirt “path.” He happened to be a retired primary school teacher in the next village, and I was relieved to finally engage a Mosotho in a conversation, other than the formal greetings.
Elliott started the conversation. “Do you like Eminem?”
“Yes,” I said.
“I know all the words to his songs,” he continued and proceeded to sing.
“Have you met him?” he asked.
A question that did not surprise me as previous Peace Corps Volunteers said they’ve been asked if they know Michael Jackson. Apparently he’s still alive.
John then asked me where I was from, and where my husband lives.
I told him I was divorced and he asked me why?
I told him to ask my husband, as I had no intention of getting into that discussion with this man.
“I have ten children,” he said.
“Wow! How old are they?”
“I cannot remember.”
“How old are you?” he asked.
“Fifty-eight,” I said, “Any you?”
He wouldn’t say.
“I guess you’re sixty-eight,” I told him. His face was heavily wrinkled, and he looked older, but I was trying to be polite.
When he didn’t reply, I said, “Older?”
He then told me he was younger than me: fifty-four.
“Will you marry me?” he asked.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t want to get married.”
“You don’t want a nice man, and to stay in Lesotho?”
“No. It takes a while to get to know someone,” I replied.
“You don’t want to live in Lesotho?” he continued.
“Have you ever traveled outside Lesotho?” I asked.
“No.”
“Come and visit me at home,” he continued.
“I don’t think so,” I said.
He would not stop, so I finally told him that I only like tall men.
“Why?” he asked.
“Because I’m tall.”
That finally got John to stop asking me to marry him.
Meanwhile Elliott was laughing, and he finally said something that surprised me,
“It’s impossible to get a white person to marry you. If a Mosotho woman (person from Lesotho) is asked by a white man if she will marry him, she will not hesitate to say yes, immediately.
So this was an interesting taxi ride, and I made sure I got Elliott’s phone number, as I like the fact that we can have a conversation in English, plus he’s a much safer driver than Sheleng.
Oh Sonia, this is priceless! Thank you for sharing. I’m so happy you are thriving and keeping your sense of humor. It’s fun to live this vicariously through you. 🙂
Yes, it’s better to laugh at situations like this, Kathy.
Sonia Marsh recently posted..My Marriage Proposal in a Taxi
Who can resist “Taxi” and “Marriage proposal” in the same sentence! Love the storytelling even if I don’t reply here often.
marian beaman recently posted..Mother’s Sky View: The Beautiful City
Thanks for reading my posts. Don’t worry about replying.
Sonia Marsh recently posted..My Marriage Proposal in a Taxi
Well, that was an “interesting” conversation. What you’ve shared with us is delightfully funny. Love the story.
It wasn’t love on my part as you can see. Thanks for always reading my posts Rob.
Sonia Marsh recently posted..My Marriage Proposal in a Taxi
What fantastic material for your next Gutsy book! ???
Hope so Jennifer.
Sonia Marsh recently posted..My Marriage Proposal in a Taxi
I’m very much enjoying traveling to distant lands through your writing, Sonia.
Leanne Dyck recently posted..Asperger’s: Don Tillman (The Rosie Project), Sheldon Cooper (Big Bang Theory)
Glad I can “transport” you Leanne.
Sonia Marsh recently posted..My Marriage Proposal in a Taxi
Hi Sonia,
What a fun story! Good to have it written down, too, maybe for a book, or because it will be fun years from now to read your own stories again. I used to love talking to taxi drivers when I lived in Africa, but I never did get a marriage proposal from anyone in a taxi. Stay warm! Bisous!
Miss Footloose recently posted..African Wedding: Wife Number One
Were you able to communicate with the taxi drivers in English?
Sonia Marsh recently posted..My Marriage Proposal in a Taxi
What an adventure! Congratulations on your neat avoidance of becoming engaged! If you’re going to use Eliot’s taxi again you’ll need to make sure he’s not got John on board as he’ll likely be persistent and I can well understand why he should you’d be a great catch. If he once gets wind that you use Eliot’s taxi regularly he’ll probably try and be there when you do.
So who ever said becoming a PC volunteer could be boring and tedious. You keep having interesting adventures and living up to your gutsy image. Well done. So now you can stlle in and enjoy your second stint in Lesotho. 🙂
Yes, Ian. That’s what keeps me going; all the adventures, and funny incidences. You should see what happened at my school on the first day back. It’s on my FB page.
Sonia Marsh recently posted..My Marriage Proposal in a Taxi
The taxi picture reminded me of the “matatus” (swahili for the taxis) on my brief stay in Nairobi, Kenya. I was with my boyfriend though, no wonder I did not get any proposal:) But I noticed the drivers are always friendly and talkative especially when carrying a foreigner.