On Saturday, we took Laury, Vern, Vern, Mary and Dianne to Teya-Teyaneng (to the locals it is called Ty). The Bosches and Meyaards had been there 5 years ago and wanted to find the weaving place they had visited then. Bryan courageously drove us up a very bumpy road that was going to take us to the weaving store. We were beginning to get a little nervous that the road was leading nowhere when we saw a building that looked familiar to Dianne. The woman who worked there gave us a special tour and we were able to watch a Basotho woman weaving a wall tapestry of 2 zebras. Her hands worked amazingly fast and Faith especially was in awe of her as we just purchased Faith a weaving loom for her birthday in February. Then the Basotho woman took some goat fur and brushed in out, got the spinning wheel, and turned it into yarn. All 3 of my kids were mesmerized. I don't think they even blinked during her demonstration :)We then walked through a barn like building to where they dye the yarn. They use salt and vinegar and chemicals to dye the yarn. When I asked if they used natural dyes, she told me that they tried but the color does not last. She was very willing to show us around and answer our many questions.
Then, we headed for Kome to see the cave dwellings. There are 5 cave houses there and families are still living in these cave homes despite the modern dwellings all around them. There are two families who are descendants of the first cave dwellers who reside in these cave homes. They allow tours to come into their home and see what it is like. The first one was absolutely tiny and we were all shocked when she told us that 4 people live/ sleep in that home. It was extremely dark despite the bright sunny day and very cramped with a twin bed and a small table with a double burner propane stove and some pots and bowls. Where they find room for 4 people to sleep is unimaginable. I couldn't even stand up straight in the house and it was dome shaped which made it even smaller around the edges of the house. We really enjoyed hearing about the cave dwellers and it was neat to share in some more of the Lesotho culture.
We drove back to Maseru and went through Lancer's Gap which is a scenic hill that shows a great panoramic view of Maseru. It was very neat to see the city from the gap and gave me a better grasp of where parts of the city are in relation to one another. We really enjoyed our day of learning about weaving, cave dwellings, and also just enjoying the views and scenery in Maseru ans Lesotho. It was good to have friends here too to share it with us.
Then, we headed for Kome to see the cave dwellings. There are 5 cave houses there and families are still living in these cave homes despite the modern dwellings all around them. There are two families who are descendants of the first cave dwellers who reside in these cave homes. They allow tours to come into their home and see what it is like. The first one was absolutely tiny and we were all shocked when she told us that 4 people live/ sleep in that home. It was extremely dark despite the bright sunny day and very cramped with a twin bed and a small table with a double burner propane stove and some pots and bowls. Where they find room for 4 people to sleep is unimaginable. I couldn't even stand up straight in the house and it was dome shaped which made it even smaller around the edges of the house. We really enjoyed hearing about the cave dwellers and it was neat to share in some more of the Lesotho culture.
We drove back to Maseru and went through Lancer's Gap which is a scenic hill that shows a great panoramic view of Maseru. It was very neat to see the city from the gap and gave me a better grasp of where parts of the city are in relation to one another. We really enjoyed our day of learning about weaving, cave dwellings, and also just enjoying the views and scenery in Maseru ans Lesotho. It was good to have friends here too to share it with us.
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