Having woken at 2 this morning, my alarm finally went off at 3.30 and i silently got up and crept around but stilll managed to wake Lineo! Ray took me to the airport at 4 am, i felt very guilty as he has quite a bad attack of bronchitis.The roads were much busier than i expected but we got there in good time and i checked both my bags in having to pay a ridiculous amount for the bag of books but grateful to my friends who have helped me with this cost.
Ray and i had time for a quick coffee before i went through Security with no problems. Cape Town is a surprisingly small airport and i had time to buy a few more pairs of ear rings (but none yet to replace my African map ones) before literally just walking to my gate and boarding the plane then and there. I had a window seat and an empty seat beside me which was great - the only empty seat on the plane!
I love Mango Airlines - bright orange planes, no safety card in the pocket and we landed 40 minutes early............how does that happen? Anyway by the time i walked off the plane and acros the tarmac to Bloemfontein airport the luggage was being puton the conveyor belt and mine came through with no problems. Fortunately Bryan had had an easy trip up from maseru so he was there on time and it was good to see my American brother again.
The journey to Maseru passed quickly despite it being an hour and a half as i dont think i stopped talking for the first hour and then he took over for the next half! We had to stop in ladybrand for him to do a few things and then we decided to go to Living Life for breakfast (well breakfast for me and elevenses for him). I had a huge plate of french toast and fresh fruit which was much needed as i was staving by now as only having had a coffee at the airport. We got over the border easily enough and headed straight for BG - (am abbreviating that as many potential adoptive parents google the full name and I dont really want complete strangers reading my blog).
It was lovely to be back and i immediately met my new room mates - Paige who had been volunteering here on a gap year when i came in August, Christina who has turned out to be as mad as a hatter as i was warned and Kristen whom i am sharing a room with. All are here as long term volunteers and despite my misgivings about meeting and living with strangers, i know we are goign to get on really well as we have already got to know each other.
After lunch Bryan took me and 2 of his children out to see the development at Beautful Gardens and i was amazed at the progress that had been made there since i was last here - i will write more about that another day.
I went round the site and said hello to old faces and it is always such an honour to be remembered and greeted excitedly. it was lovely to see the mural on the wall that Annette had painted in August and also the banner that Becky had organised and she and Jo had made which was hanging in playgroup. the words i wrote of a song are still on the board and the playgroup leaders immediately started singing it to me. A lot of the children i knew have been adopted recently and there are a lot of new faces, some from 'the other orphanage' which if you followed my blog last summer and last year you will know about. I am assigned to Khotso 1 this time as one of the long term volunteers is based in Khotso 2 but i am very happy to be anywhere that i am needed. khotso (meaning peace) 1 has 16 children in it but 2 are in hospital at the moment still but should be out soon.
The health issues are almost over now but as most of you know there was a sad loss of 3 children last weekend and we are awaiting news of when the funerals of these children are going to be. There is a tinge of sadness in the air but everyone is doing well to continue doing the job to which they are called despite some serious tiredness and sorrow.
I spent a little bit of time with Bryan and anita's children and they taught me a new boardgame which was fun and then i went into my house to help with feeding time! It all comes flooding back - and it is lovely to be back making a difference however small. M Miriam and M Judith are the house mothers in khotso 1 and whilst i have not worked closely with them before I know we are going to get on.I have already arranged to go shopping with m Matsekudu next WEdnesdayand i know that to be a long and arduous day.
Anita kindly cooked dinner for me and the others tongiht as it was my first night. WE sat outside and ate and then went inside to clear up and sat around chatting and getting to know each other. I came to bed early to write my blog and can get internet if i put the computer on the window ledge and sit up in my bottom bunk in rather an uncomfortable position. So far the internet has been excellent it is just the house where i am is furthest away but hey ho! I have no complaints.
Going to sleep now or at least chat to my room mate who has just come in. Looking forward to my first weekend up here in BG as we are off duty at weekends and i can do what i can, where i can and when i can to make life easier or happier or in someway better for the people around me.
Greetings to all from Beautiful Lesotho and i will write again tomorrow.
By the way a message for Fiona to finish - i have got your 1st message 8 times and 2nd message 4 times so far! i am sure i will get them over the course of the next week as i did last year.
Love
Jenny x
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