Days 48 and 49

on saturday we went back to see the weavers since alex and kadi hadn't gone the first time.

we ended up visiting four different weaver centers. after we'd seen them all kadi decided that she wanted to go back to the second one we'd seen to pick up a tapestry. we were a little tired from the traveling we'd already done that day, but agreed to go back.

when we got there, the woman in the gallery told us that the weavers had something they wanted to show us. kadi paid for her tapestry and we headed into the weaving room.

as soon as we walked in they begin to sing.
one woman would start and the rest would follow.
it was like the wool turning into yarn: with each voice they fed into the spinning wheel of their song, it became larger, richer, and more beautiful.
then they gathered in a circle and began to dance. we watched for a few minutes and then, when they began their second song, we joined them in their performance.

home near the weavers

after it's sheared from the goats, the wool is cleaned and untangled

next, it's dyed

finished product:

the performance:

i've mentioned to a few people that i tend to stand out when i walk around here. apparently everyone enjoys staring at the white girl who towers over the generally shorter basotho people. i think this gives a pretty good idea of how i stack up against the locals here.

look closely at this wall

notice what the wall's made of?
painted soda cans.

inside walls

on sunday, we went back to the orphanage for kadi's final service there (possibly mine too)

diligent bible reading

toddlers dancing during the church service, i seriously die of laughter every time i watch this :)