From Lesotho: A Country You've Never Heard Of

I don't know about you, but I had never heard of the country Lesotho, pronounced le-su-tu (yes, I got that wrong too). It's a tiny landlocked country, completely surrounded by South Africa. At one-third of the size of Tassie and with 75% of its 2 million population living rurally, it’s no wonder Lesotho is largely unheard of.

Some tourists (myself included) find their way to this mystical country briefly as a side trip when in South Africa. I didn't really know what to expect. But now that I’ve been here, it’s a place I would never dream of leaving out of an African itinerary. Our three day trip started quickly, by-passing the sprawling streets of the country’s capital Maseru. My friends and I made our way West to Malealea- a sleepy farming village so silent you can hear the sound of your own breath. I quickly realised this was a place I wouldn’t want to leave. 

We visited late August during drought- and the colours of the rolling farmlands were a visual designers dream. Think of rusty browns and yellows, soft shades of pink on the blossom trees and moments of deep green buried in the dry farms. I could close my eyes and see how at a different time, the landscape would completely change to something just as breathtaking. Like with the rich, vibrants greens that come with rain, or the piercing white snow of winter.

Spring blooming across the countryside

 

The tour options were simple, no need for loud cars or yappy tour guides. The afternoon view from a hammock would really be enough to satisfy. One of the best views I have ever seen came from the back of a pony as we trekked through the winding plains of Malealea. You could see a panoramic view of rising hills, endless countryside and valleys that stretched far beyond where the eye can see. I’d close my eyes to hear only the gentle flow of water from the river and the faint ring of cow bells as farmers went about their daily routine.

6 hours of pony trekking in the hills

There’s always barriers between local and foreigner, but here you feel as though the barrier is more transparent. There’s no crowds hiding behind their flashing cameras and digital connectivity. We spent out last morning strolling through the village, asking the locals about traditional customs and lifestyle of the Basotho people. The tours are more like a casual conversation. You start to feel like you can see a glimpse of this lifestyle, beyond the view of an outsider. 

I love comparing other countries to my home back in Australia, and (no surprises here) it turns out that there’s not a whole lot in common between Aus and Lesotho. The United Nations Human Development Index (a measure of GDP, life expectancy and education) ranks Lesotho 162^nd in the world. Meanwhile Australia is sitting pretty at No.2.

57% of people live below the poverty line in Lesotho

ifitweremyhome.com

I'm a sucker for statistics. And normally when I see stats like this, I ask the question- why is this so? Lesotho makes me ask- why does it matter? I stumbled across the work of South African photographer Rene Paul Gosselin and his words encapsulate exactly what Lesotho makes me think:

'Lesotho is indeed one of the poorest nations on earth. And yet, who are we to judge or clasify the lifestyle of others?'

As I sat back and looked across the stunning rural landscape of Malealea, I'd take a deep breath. Close my eyes. And ask myself; is this the life we should be living?

The simple life

This is my first post of my 5-month stay in Southern Africa. Follow me as I try to convince you to pack your bags and get on a plane to Africa, before I make my way to South East Asia (for a third time) in 2016. 

I travelled to Lesotho with two other Australians through Rush Adventures and we stayed and booked our tours with Malealea lodge.
If you're as interested in other countries as me, this will tell you a bit more about Lesotho, and if you love photography check out the work of Rene Paul Gosselin which helped inspired this piece.

When I'm not writting, photographing, exploring and studying overseas, I keep myself busy posting about Melbourne life @ ditchedinmelbourne.