...Damn right, it's better than yours.
Just kidding, it probably isn't, since I'm brand new at this. But whatever. Hi everyone. I'm sitting here on a quiet Wednesday evening in NYC, setting up my blog in hopes that I can keep it going when once I join Peace Corps. I leave in a little less than one month, and needless to say, I'm pretty darn excited.
On November 11, I'll be flying to Maseru, Lesotho, to begin a few months of PC training. Following that training, I'll begin teaching secondary level math somewhere in the tiny mountain kingdom, as it's called. Not sure where exactly, but I'll know soon enough.
Some Lesotho fun facts, which I might have told you already:
- Lesotho established independence from Britain in 1966.
- Lesotho is approximately 30,000 sq km, or roughly the size of my home state of Maryland.
- Lesotho is bordered to the South by South Africa. To the north, it is bordered by South Africa. It is bordered to the East by South Africa, and to the West by South Africa (Only 2 other countries in the world are landlocked within a single country - Vatican City and San Marino).
- Lesotho has the highest female literacy rate in Africa, but also one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS in the world.
- Lesotho is the only country in the world to exist entirely over 1000 m elevation. It has the highest low point of any country, and is home to two of Africa's four ski resorts.
- The name Lesotho (pronounced Leh-SOO-too) translates roughly to "The Land of the People Who Speak Sesotho." It's people are known as Mosotho (singular) or Basotho (plural).
So, I might make another post or two before I leave, or maybe not. Over the next couple years, I hope this page will be a fun and useful way to keep in contact with everyone back home, or wherever else. And for you to stay in contact with me! Note the comments section below every post. That's for you, dear family member, or vague acquaintance who I haven't spoken to in a while, or fortunate person who reached this page in error!
If you're still reading, here's to hoping I have access to electricity and internet in Lesotho, at least sometimes. I'll do my best to keep everyone updated about my adventures. Thanks for reading, don't be afraid to leave a comment!
Only one (week) left!
7 years ago
Hi Eric (aka vague acquaintance who I haven't spoken to in a while)! I hope you have a wonderful time! I can't believe you are going to be in Africa! And for a few years?! I am so glad you found something you feel passionate about doing! Best of luck with your training and travels! Keep blogging, we vague aquaintances love to read about your adventures while sitting in our office/cubicle doing the same old thing - living vicariously through you! Enjoy :)
ReplyDeleteBE SAFE!! Can't wait to read your blog!!
ReplyDeleteFor all of you eagerly checking Eric's Lesotho blog to see if he's arrived safe and sound, I'm happy to let you all know that our Mom and I heard from Eric earlier this week and he is happy and settling in to Maseru, Lesotho but will be unable to access the internet for a couple of weeks.
ReplyDeleteHows my shirt doing????
ReplyDeleteEric, I have an invitation to Lesotho with a June 1 departure and I'm trying to determine the packing-suitcase vs backpack situation plus weather expectations. I'm a California girl with minimal to no clothes for cold weather. San Francisco or 45 degrees is the extent of my cold weather experience. Do I really need to bring snow weather clothing? Can I bring a rolling suitcase? What can be bought in country vs. buy in the U.S.? If you have time, please let me know the realities. dibrymiller@yahoo.com
ReplyDelete