We all have washing

Oh, but what to do with my dirty laundry? One of my host families suggested that if I was asked what I did with my dirty clothes, I should just casually answer, ‘I wear them.’

That was only true on one or two occasions, however, the rest of the time my hosts took care of my laundry in various ways – sometimes my smellies were dumped in big, expensive, powerful washing machines, at other times it was down to good old handwashing.

On more than one occasion, my hosts used my dirty clothes as leverage to induce me to stay a little longer. ‘No, you can’t leave today, we’re doing your washing first. The machine is already on.’

I remember how Peggy from Vaalwater took me to her room, ‘OK, you’re going to take off all your clothes and pick something from my cupboard to wear for the day, so that your stuff can be washed.’ I settled on a funky pair of jeans with elephants all over them and an oversized tracksuit top. While the machine was doing the biggest load ever I was introduced to Peggy’s friends, Aaron and Jerusha (with whom I also ended up staying). Jerusha was amused by my story, but even more so by the elephant pants. Later, when I left, Peggy made me keep them. She said that it was meant to be. For more clothes stories, see page 238.