Stormy Weather - the kinds of which I’ve never seen before

Last night I walked home via the shopping mall to pick up some things for the house, noticing more and more that the supermarket there seems to stock literally everything… from Gruyere Cheese, to Corn Flakes and Flora margarine…the benefits of city living.

I eventually made the half an hour walk home along the dusty tracks, the mountains all around and the roar of the taxi buses as they fly past at some pretty impressive speeds – makes crossing the road fun! Like the start of the 100m Olympic final!

I spoke to the guard at the gate near my house and asked him if he’d had a good day – the same reply as I get from everyone, very politely and positively “yes of course, thank you” just makes me realise how cynical I am I guess.. good to be happy and enjoy life.

After getting home with my goods, I decided a spot of sitting on the patch in front of my house would be nice to watch the darkness fall. Luke – you’d be proud, I took 42 photos from the same spot, one every minute on the minute – let’s hope it can make some sort of timelapse speeded up. It's just unfortunate that the beats of the drums in the background couldn’t be captured in any way that would do them justice, only wish I could have spotted where they were coming from.

Then as I retreated indoors and cooked up a gourmet, pasta, tomato sauce green beans student delight (I never was a great cook, and who knows, may never be…) I sat down to watch the football once more. After a few brief phone conversations that gave me much solace, I relaxed into the night, then….Baboom!! like a mortar shell firing off, what the…..? as I drew up the blinds, the most amazing tropical storm - lightning lit up the whole plateau, getting louder and louder and more dramatic the thunder pounded as if it was the mountains roaring , I sat there looking at the straw roof thinking, this better hold steady…eventually drifting off to sleep.

Today has provided much of the same in terms of weather, though thankfully it waited until I got to the office before pouring down like a waterfall! The rain was much needed here though, so people seem pretty happy it’s arrived (how different could this be from Cymru!!) even if the roads partially turn to rivers.

On the work front, things are going fairly well – currently drafting a new Strategic 3 year plan for the Association of Lesotho Employers and Business – a new experience for me, hope they’ll be happy with my work. Also going to be drafting a communications plan to add to that and a few other bits like seeing how we can develop a new website – I’ll try and generate some well written content.

Hope the rain stops so I can go for lunch, then walk home later, not certain how my waterproof poncho from Home Bargains is going to hold out! J

The Journey and my new pad

The Journey

Having stayed in London on Friday night and enjoyed some of the sights of Hackney with an old work colleague, Alec Taylor, I made my way to Heathrow airport on Saturday to catch the 6pm flight to Johannesburg aka  ‘Jo-burg’.

The 11 and half hour flight really does test the ability of the body to put up with a lot, leg space on the South African Airways flight was pretty good (though the views into first class always make you feel hard done by…if only). My flight companion (person sat next to me) was the colourful Sonya from Durban, pink hair and quite a character. Also not tall like me, which always is a bonus for legroom. After a few chats about South African life, and having watched a couple of films including ‘Taken 2’ (ok film just pretty predictable and a weak story) the time passed by. I managed a mere 3 hours sleep before landing, not ideal preparation.

Jo-burg airport is as big as they come, and the transition through transit to International Departures was straightforward enough. Another wait for my Maseru flight, three more hours – the fear of missing my flight the only thing keeping my eyes open. Finally boarded the flight for Maseru, with a flight time of 45 mins and stunning scenery it was a treat.  Managed to get through customs without too much of a delay and was picked up by my host contact Motselisi to head to my ‘pad’ shortly after picking up my fellow assigned ILO volunteer Polly, who has been here for a week already – good to see a familiar face.

My bachelor apartment

I have a lovely pad above the city in a place called White area (as the houses are all painted white) At least in my state of drowsiness, that's what I remember. It's a circular hut that overlooks the valley and has a straw roof. I think I have landed a good one, I have an open plan bedroom, living area and kitchen and a separate bathroom. It’s clean and modern and pretty close to both the shopping malls, good times.

After dropping off my bags, lunch was in order and we all went to the mall to grab a bite to eat, do some grocery shopping (can't believe you can even by Marmite here!!) and catch up.

On return to my flat with a trusty box of Cheerios for comfort food, I sat down to relax and watch some TV – the African Cup of Nations is a must see, and it was good to fall asleep in font of TV and finally start to relax.

However, a few hours later I woke up and decided to have some food, only to find a scorpion in my sink, I’m not the most squeamish or easily surprised, but a scorpion in the sink doesn’t happen very often to me…a feisty fella too!! Though I must admit, it took a few minutes to compose myself and find something a bit bigger than a basic glass to put him in, didn’t think a trip to the doctors on my first day would have gone well, so a glass vase did the trick and a quick throw into the yard.

Having eaten and relaxed, I re-read my terms of reference in preparation for Monday’s work, just to prepare the mind and looked out at a stunning sunset before heading to bed. After all, I am here to work!!

Thanks to everyone who has messaged me this far – I really appreciate it. It helped me get through one of the wobbly moments I was having with the combined tiredness and culture shock. Hope to get some photos on here soon.

On my way....

Hi All,

This is my first post of my short am simple blog about my journey to and in Lesotho.

How /Why am I going?

I have managed to get a place on the Welsh Governments International Learning Opportunity (ILO) – following a line of applications, interviews, presentations and workshops (all worth it now!!) and will be heading out to Lesotho via Johannesburg tomorrow (26 January) for two months.

For info about the International Learning Opportunity: http://wales.gov.uk/psmwsubsite/psmw/personaldev/international/?lang=en

I’m going as I feel it’s a good time for me to face a new challenge using the skills and expertise (some might argue if I have any… ;-) ) I have acquired in my working life this far. I also want to try and help in a poor country that has over 50% unemployment and a 23-26% prevalence of HIV Aids.

For info about Lesotho see: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/country-profile/sub-saharan-africa/lesotho

What am I doing?

I will be working for an organisation called the Association of Lesotho Employers and Business (ALE) who facilitate dialogue between the Government, Employers and Employees through their trade unions, based in the capital city, Maseru.  The want me to:  Implement a strategic plan to specifically improve of the image, service offering and professionalism of the ALE. They also want me to develop a marketing and publicity plan and to develop a communication strategy that will enhance the effectiveness of their work. So I think I will have my work cut out for me…..

My biggest concern is missing out on the 6 Nations, so I have sourced a Bar in Maseru that I’m told shows the games, can’t wait.

In the meantime, stay safe, take care and I look forward to hearing from you.

Let's hope the snow clears and I get there....

My personal email for correspondence is: braned55@gmail.com