Better late than never, right? These next two posts are about our easter trip (yes nearly two months ago) to the Drakensberg mountains. This is a beautiful mountain range in South Africa that borders Lesotho. I am sure it goes without saying, but the pictures do not do this place justice. Every way you turn was another unbelievable view. Our first day we hired a tour up the sani pass. The Sani pass is a treachorous route between Lesotho and South Africa. This was a mule trail for traders until the first car travelled it in 1948. The road has improved since that time, but a proper four wheel drive is still necessary. There are even special kumbis (public transport) that look exactly like all the others, but are 4X4.
The terrain on the two sides of the border were both striking, but quite difference. The south africa side was still quite green. The escarpments were formed by erosion from lava and water. There are obvious layers of the ancient rock with sandstone then basalt as the upper layer. 
Between the south african border post and the lesotho border post, there is a no-mans land that is still considered national park. Half way through this we encountered this gentleman from lesotho climbing the steep peaks gathering wood. Our guide told us that he has been arrested multiple times because it is illegal to gather wood in a national park. The gentleman, however, is mute and every time he got out of jail would come right back. Now he is usually left alone.
When you hit the top and enter Lesotho the terrain changes almost immediately. This area of Lesotho is very sparsely populated.
The majority of the population is the shepards. The shepards are young single men that come out for a few months every year to graze the sheep. They often have their own stone house surrounded by a fence and a pen for the sheep. During the day, they wander the hills letting the sheep graze then return to their homes at night. They are paid in sheep.
The shepards sometimes journey to the small villages where they trade with the local women. The majority of these small villages are women and children. Most of the men have gone to the citys to get employment. 
On the way back down the sani pass, we stopped at the highest pub in Africa.
Not a bad place to enjoy a drink.
The terrain on the two sides of the border were both striking, but quite difference. The south africa side was still quite green. The escarpments were formed by erosion from lava and water. There are obvious layers of the ancient rock with sandstone then basalt as the upper layer. Between the south african border post and the lesotho border post, there is a no-mans land that is still considered national park. Half way through this we encountered this gentleman from lesotho climbing the steep peaks gathering wood. Our guide told us that he has been arrested multiple times because it is illegal to gather wood in a national park. The gentleman, however, is mute and every time he got out of jail would come right back. Now he is usually left alone.
When you hit the top and enter Lesotho the terrain changes almost immediately. This area of Lesotho is very sparsely populated.
The majority of the population is the shepards. The shepards are young single men that come out for a few months every year to graze the sheep. They often have their own stone house surrounded by a fence and a pen for the sheep. During the day, they wander the hills letting the sheep graze then return to their homes at night. They are paid in sheep. The shepards sometimes journey to the small villages where they trade with the local women. The majority of these small villages are women and children. Most of the men have gone to the citys to get employment. On the way back down the sani pass, we stopped at the highest pub in Africa. Not a bad place to enjoy a drink.
1 comment:
Erin, I was back in Lawrence a few weeks ago and saw your mom and dad. They were telling me stories of their visit to you and I finally got the link to your blog from your mom. How wonderful it's been to read about and enjoy the pictures of what I can only imagine is an amazing experience for you! I'm really in awe of what you're doing; so cool and also so inspiring. I hope you continue to soak it all in and have a great time - I imagine it is quite life changing. Take care of yourself out there and keep posting about your experiences, they are truly amazing :)
-Teri G
ps. Your mom told me the 'hand dryer' story and I laughed and laughed. I would have paid good money to witnessed that!
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