Nearly everyone around me now knows that I'll be going home in early December for a month visit. People's reactions have been amusing. Most say, "So short! Only a month!" But how long can you visit home for until your visit ceases to be merely a visit?
Some ask to borrow my stereo while I'm gone. One girl offered to water my garden. The 8th grade class simply applauded when I told them I'd be returning in early January. Suppose they thought I was going for good. Suppose they like me being around. That made me feel nice.
One girl was looking at a picture of my niece Kahlan when I told her I was going home for Christmas. She sighed and then told me to bring Kahlan back for her. Now that's a gift.
A group of boys demanded that I speak only Sesotho while home. They thought it would be funny for no one to be able to understand me. But I'm going home to visit, boys. They also suggested I cook everyone 'papa and moroho', a typical meal here in Lesotho. I said I'd try, and I really will if I can find the ingredients.
My favorite request, which has been made by many, is that I bring myself back a wife. She can live with you here at school, they say. She can teach science.