Queen, Soccer and Olympics

Got lots to share if you feel like reading on...
One of my teachers asked me to attend what I can best describe as a grandmother appreciation/awareness event where her students would perform. The queen of Lesotho would be in attendance, so I just couldn't pass it up. I arrived early and sat waiting amongst the local senior citizens as they were trucked in from surrounding villages. The queen arrived escorted my guards and took her place front and center of the event tent. Local schools sang and danced; my teacher's students performed a drama which made everyone laugh. I was so proud. While sitting in the crowd, the chief of my village came to ask me to sit in the back of the tent behind the queen. Normally when something like this happens I think "it's because I'm white isn't it?" I jumped at the opportunity and enjoyed the rest of the celebration in the shade and comfort of the tent. Like royalty. I'd like to take this moment to express my appreciation for my wonderful grandmothers!!
Soccer's coming back into my life with a vengeance. Preschool teachers from around the country will gather to compete at an ECCD Sports Day. My district has started practicing and I'm on the soccer team. Everyone is amazed when I lift the ball; a corner kick sends them into hysterics. The crowd, instead of cheering or chanting, sings and dances for the players. So awesome. I'm looking forward to playing more. And learning some sidelines dances.
As the world gathers around their TVs to watch the Olympic games, I realize I forgot to report on Peace Corps Lesotho's Olympics. Held on America's birthday, eight of the ten districts in Lesotho were represented, ready to face off in the day's events. The first event was a text messaging competition; the first team to correctly text the Pledge of Allegiance to the judges won. Showing great speed and punctuation, I and the Leribe team took the gold. A scavenger hunt was next requiring teams to find common village items like a used condom or a gnarly piece of glass. Relay races involving flip cup and bag stuffing followed. Mafetang took the hunt and races, but not surprisingly, I (with the support from Leribe) tied for the gold in the makoenya eating contest (makoenya is a delicious ball of fried dough). And let me tell you, eating contests are tough. Those competitors deserve serious respect. We attempted donkey basketball, but the baby donkey just followed the mom wherever she went. I did get to ride one though which was fairly difficult. The closing ceremonies (party) including beer pong and a BBQ. A triumphant day all in all.