Foto: Traditional houses in Swaziland (bron: Ronald van der Veer)

Swaziland - After lunch, we set off with our guide, December. He is called December because he was born on December 25th. We walk into the village via narrow paths. At the wide sandy road, we turn left and leave the village. December gives us a lot of information along the way, especially about village life and life in Swaziland in general. Our visit does not go unnoticed. Soon, we are accompanied by a large group of schoolchildren heading home (or taking a detour just to walk with us). Once again, everyone says goodbye politely, one by one. The last boy turns out to be an orphan, raised by his grandmother. December shows us the yard. The grandmother walks over and disapprovingly looks at the short pants, particularly of the women. When Rogier gives her a polo shirt, she is very grateful. We say goodbye and continue walking. At the end of the road, we reach a large pasture where all the community’s animals are kept. The donkeys have taken over the vegetable garden. December whistles to some boys, one of whom rushes over to drive the donkeys out of the garden. The endpoint for today is a viewpoint over the valley. Children greet us here as well, though they are clearly not in school. Their clothing hangs loosely on their bodies. From this point, we walk back through the village. By five o’clock, we are close to our starting point. December invites us to a beer tasting. We are not particularly interested, but he had already promised the owner. When we arrive, the tasting is already closed. By half past five, we are back at Shewula Mountain Camp.

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