DAY #8

We got to sleep in today - visited the Chief of Mahalapye hkota. The women danced and sang for us. It was great to watch and hear something so different from our version of music. It was so beautiful and you could really tell they took pride and loved performing for us. They taught us how to make the sound they make when they are happy...its kind of like a yodeling sound.


Claude dancing with the local women



On our way to the Chief's office we parked RIGHT in front of a cow being slaughtered. All the guys went to get a good look, all excited while the girls all covered their eyes and ran for the building. I was totally horrified and it might make me a strict vegetarian, at least while I'm here. We were told the cow had died of natural causes and they were cutting it up for food but I don't know.

The Chief didn't really seem to know why we were there although Duraid had set up the meeting beforehand with Fatima. Most likely Fatima forgot to inform the Chief of our plans. He brought us into his office and told us a little bit about his hkota and how he came to be Chief. It was weird because he was dressed in nice business clothes with a tie and everything. Meanwhile the majority of his people are wearing old tattered clothes that people donate and even don't fit them. But I guess that is true of everywhere...just maybe not the same percentage. We took photos with the Chief, he invited us to attend a town gathering that weekend, we thanked him and we went back to the Lodge for lunch.


The Chief of Mahalapye



Today was PIZZA! Fisal owns a pizza place in town so that was our lunch request. YUMMY!
We attempted to work afterwards. No one was at Mary's place and the men were still not letting the women work so we kinda hung out and watched. Today was the day of the roof raising for house #1. We all were very nervous watching the local men, Duraid, Richard and Tommy placed the roof on. Somehow it held.


Local worker, Zed and Richard


Local worker, Tommy, Claude, Patricia, local worker