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Greg Alder

Goodreads Author

Born

The United States

Website

http://gregalder.com/

Genre

Nonfiction, Travel

Member Since

March 2008

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From 2003 to 2007, Greg Alder lived in Lesotho, Africa, which served as the setting for his first book, THE MOUNTAIN SCHOOL. He now lives in California. Visit the author's website at www.gregalder.com. ...more

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Hi Greg! Thanks for sharing your experiences in Lesotho- I enjoyed your book (my review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1135265999?book_show_action=false). Do you have any idea what life is like for Peace Corps volunteers in Lesotho today, 10 years after your time there? Has it changed much? Just curious! My boyfriend's brother just started his Peace Corps service there in October. -Emily

Greg Alder Great to hear you enjoyed the book, and I really appreciate you taking the time to write a review.

I have a rough idea of what life is like for a Peace…moreGreat to hear you enjoyed the book, and I really appreciate you taking the time to write a review.

I have a rough idea of what life is like for a Peace Corps volunteer in Lesotho today compared to a decade ago, but I'm sure there are some twists I'm not aware of. Though I wrapped up my PC teaching at the end of 2006, I continued living in Lesotho for a year, and then I have returned to visit several times since. I have corresponded with some current volunteers too.

The biggest changes since when I was a volunteer are the Internet connections through phones that so many in Lesotho have nowadays as well as the development of Maseru, the capital city.

When I was a volunteer I didn't have a phone. Most other volunteers did, but no one had an Internet connection on their phone. The upshot was more difficult and less immediate communication with friends and family in the U.S. These days I communicate with my former students mostly via Facebook, which they access on their phones -- unimagined ten years ago.

Maseru was seen as dangerous, and volunteers' access to the city was restricted by PC policy while I was living in Lesotho. Essentially, volunteers could only come to the city for official, pre-approved PC business. A few years ago, I visited and was shocked to find PC volunteers actually living and working in the city. I don't know how much safer the city has become, but PC administration's attitude toward the city has certainly evolved.

Funny thing, a Mosotho friend of mine told me today of a change he's noticed among locals: "KFC has really got a hold of the Basotho, now. It's a pity. Obesity is slowly moving in."(less)

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Average rating: 3.97 · 67 ratings · 15 reviews · 1 distinct work • Similar authors

The Mountain School

3.97 avg rating — 67 ratings — published 2013 — 4 editions

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Greg Alder's Blog

Quintessential Lesotho in one photo

If you’ve been to Lesotho, you’ll recognize every silhouette in this photo. A peach tree, a couple of rondavels, a man wrapped in a blanket, the leaf blade of an agave (or aloe, as Basotho call it), mountains, more mountains, and an expansive sky.

The scene is quintessential Lesotho.

I took this photo in 2004 on a hike from Malealea to Semonkong.

Greg is Currently Reading

Greg is currently reading

The Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America

by Douglas Brinkley

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Aug 11, 2014 06:54AM

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