South Africa #35

After all that schooling we headed back to our lodge to meet the hikers, who had had a fabulous hike. I give them respect, this heat is so hot that just the thought of a hike exhausts me. And some of these women just came back from climbing Kilimanjaro! 200% respect ladies (and the 3 gents)

Having said that, now we are all off for a walk to the village and the cultural centre. In the heat. 

We stopped at the local grocery store and picked up some snacks. I’m not sure what fast food was there, unless they mean the chips and candy. It was mostly eggs, bread, milk in a Tetra Pak and a bit of fruit. 

There are a lot of tiny, homemade restaurants/shops along the way.

This fellow was a local who was our guide through the village. Here he was telling us about the various medicines that are made from different plants. He was the one who explained that many villagers (in this village as well as throughout Lesotho) still believe in using a witch doctor. He was a very serious fellow.

Then we went to the local brewery and sampled some homemade beer. I think it was ok, as you know, I’m not a beer drinker so I have no idea if it was really good or just average or horrible. It tasted like any other beer to me. The “brewmaster” was a local woman, and this is how she makes her money. She showed us the brewing process and was happy to have us sit down and share a drink. 

I know it doesn't look particularly sanitary, but none of us got sick. 



There are a few benches inside, so it’s sort of like a mini-pub. The beer is imbibed there, it’s not to be purchased and taken away. When the batch is ready to drink she hangs a yellow flag outside. There are a few others breweries in the village as well, so when hers isn’t ready,  someone else’s usually is. Just look for the yellow flag! (Notice it high on the pole right by the little person walking on the left) Like the Golden Arches, but better for you.

We continued on, passing houses and outhouses. There is no running water here, there are 5 wells with pumps that are shared, and of course everyone has an outhouse, which are emptied seasonally. A tanker comes from a larger town and empties them. The village is very tidy, and there a lot of large trash cans with signs saying “Keep Malealea clean.” 

It was a beautiful walk, although hot, and eventually we arrived at the cultural centre. It was most assuredly not anywhere near where we walked yesterday. This fellow gave us some information on the life in the village. The “centre” wasn’t any sort of modern building, but rather another small hut with thatched walls and roof. 

This is the outdoor fireplace, built in this manner because it’s so freaking windy at times that they build their fire according to which way the wind blows. A genius idea, really. 



We then continued our walk, past the river, or I should say the riverbed, since it’s totally dry. This drought is really horrible.

Passed by another lonely graveyard. 

And eventually ended up back at our lodge, just in time for dinner...imagine that!

Tonight was creamed maize, rice, a type of beef stew, squash and veg. Cake & custard for dessert. Afterwards we sat outside and looked at the stars, The Milky Way was incredible. With absolutely no light pollution, it looked like it was a special effect by Hollywood.

I had another amazing 💤 sleep 💤.