Lesotho!!!

I am on a role now so let’s just keep going. The next day after the ironman competition we had to catch a plane to Durban and then catch a taxi to Underberg (3 hours away). That was probably one of the most terrifying taxi rides in my life. It started out fine and then when we got into the mountains the rain came and the sky got dark and all of a sudden there would be no visibility because of the rain and then the roads would be curving around the mountain with sheer drops on one side. Not exactly fun. Eventually we made it to Khotso Backpackers, there was a power outage so it was all lit by candle light. The people working there were great. Crazy Steve, the guy that owns it, definitely deserved his name. He runs up mountains and once one a bike race…running. I will just say this now to get it out of the way. I have never eaten so much than I did at the backpackers and in Lesotho.

The next morning (Tuesday) we met a couple Canadians that go riding all over the world on their motorcycles. They have been everywhere except Russia (which is next up. Visit www.2canadiansonbikes.com). We left, rode 50km to the border, mounted the horses and crossed the border (literally a gate and two posts). My horses name was Shadow (at first I thought the guide said Cheddar and the Chadow and finally I figured it must be Shadow). The mountains aren’t like many I’ve seen before, there aren’t many trees. Think of the Great Plains in mountain form. Every now and then we would go over a hill and before us would be huge fields that stretched for miles. That is what I pictured Africa to be. During the whole trip I saw Pride Rock about 5 different times and a lot of other Lion King references. The next couple of days included trips to San cave paintings and waterfalls and even more amazing panoramic views. You will have to check out my pictures once I find my cord that connects to the computer and I upload them.

I hadn’t been on a horse in a while and was really freaked out when my horse started trotting. That was nothing compared to when it would start to canter (between a trot and gallop). I lost both of my stirrups so I was freaking out (to say the least). Nothing happened and I was able to stop the horse, thought it didn’t really want to. Next time it cantered I was ready for it and actually enjoyed it, though I’m pretty sure I looked ridiculous.

Needless to say I was sore the next couple of days. My butt really didn’t hurt, it was my ankles and legs. They got bruised from the stirrups. I also wore the same clothes for three days straight on a horse in the dirt and mud. Never have I felt dirtier in my life. Oh well. We made it back to the backpackers on Thursday and hung out there all day Friday. I did nothing that day but watch 3 movies and a job application (great spring break huh?).

We left for Durban on Saturday morning. Not much to say about Durban. Went to church on Easter for the first time since Christmas (South Africa has no Lutheran churches – the Germans never really settled here). I think that is all that happened during Spring break. Sorry for the shortness of the blog, I'm tired. It is really better just to see the pictures than have me describe it but if you want me to go into more detail about anything else just let me know.

Peace.