It has been a little over a week since I left the comfort and security of America, and entered into the small community of Bela-Bela in Lesotho, the Mountain Kingdom. It has been a little over a week since I have heard and answered to the Sesotho name Liteboho (prounoced De-tea-bo-ho) more than Brenda. It has been a little over a week of mornings begun by roosters and donkeys sounding off well before 5:00am. It has been a little over a week since anything has felt familiar.  

Friends, it may just have been a little over a week but it has been a very long week. A long week full of first impressions and introductions, a long week full of new rhythms and ways of doing life. 
A few of my first impressions: 

• Lesotho is a beautiful country named “Mountain Kingdom” for a reason. The views are stunning and we have yet to venture out of the lowlands. 
•  The Basotho (people of Lesotho) are a warm and welcoming people. Formal in their greetings, warm in their welcome and proud of their culture and heritage. 
• Sesotho (the language of Lesotho) is and extremely difficult language for a native English speaker, it has clicks and sounds I have never heard before and am not entirely convinced I can physically make.
• The thunderstorms in this country are no joke…which is only heightened by my intense fear of them. 
• “Pack Mule” is not just a phrase, it is reality here, they are everywhere.
• Roosters don’t just cry in the morning, they do it ALL THE TIME.
• Bucket bathing takes skill and can often result in more water on the floor than on you, not that I would know.
• Donuts in any culture are yummy.
• When all else fails play the silly American, grace and laughing abounds.  

It has been a long week, and while there have been hard things, a bit of shock and the learning curve has been steep, there have also been beautiful and lovely things. I find myself in awe of the people and the country. The Basotho are strong and resilient, kind and welcoming. The country is breathtaking.  
We will spend the next ten weeks in this small community learning about the culture and customs of our new home. It will be ten weeks of first and second and third impressions, and at the end I think we will find that underneath it all we are more alike than different.  
Salla Hantle Friends, (stay well) 

Brenda