(written Friday, June 13, 2008)
Yes, yes I have. As a matter of fact, it happens almost every day here! I know, that’s why they call them RAIN forests, right?
With this entry, I am trying out a new tactic. My Mom has graciously offered to post blogs that I mail to her, since computer access is often a limitation to my postings. The plus to this approach is I can write more frequently and longer, and she can post them when she can. The downside, of course, is that they will be posted at least a month late! But many of my postings were written and posted at different times already. And when I am near a computer and the internet, I cant still post brief “up-to-the-minute” entries here (or on our group blog). I think this system will work well. Maybe if you see a batch posted at once, just read the earliest, then the next day read the next, and the day after that another—it will feel like I’m updating daily!
As for life here, I encountered a new favorite Madagascar animal for the first time a few days ago—the Tenrec. This little insect-eater looks like a hedgehog; the one I saw was Black and Gold (DHHS colors!) and spiny. Cool little guy, and next time I hope to get pictures (pictures also forthcoming here, I promise—I plan to send a batch to the US soon-ish to be posted here). So, lemurs and geckos are cool, but the Tenrec (specifically the highland streaked Tenrec, I think, judging from my wildlife guide) is my current favorite. Of course, by next post, this could (very likely) have changed.
Also recently, while in my banking town, I saw this awesome Malagasy rock band called Ambondrona. Most bands here are real pop-ish and full of synthesizers, but these guys could have been an American rock band (bass, drums, bongos, a real good lead guitarist, rhythm guitar). They had a keyboard player, too, but if Van Halen can do it, then I won’t hold it against Ambondrona! I hope to find a CD to bring back with me.
I have lately been gorging on care package goodies such as pretzels, peanut butter, granola bars, and just as important old reading materials like the Economist and a NFL draft recap—special thanks to my Dad and also Cara and Nolan! And thanks to everyone who has written so far, I love getting mail when I get to my banking town, it is a rush. Hopefully my replies are getting to you in due time (less than a month?)
Yesterday, in my usual random fashion, I may have accidentally volunteered (or “been volunteered”) to participate in a singing competition. Madagascar’s independence day is June 26th, and there is a big Fety (party) to celebrate the end of French Colonial rule. Apparently part of this is a singing event—so I may be singing, in either English (hopefully) or Malagasy (yikes!) in front of my whole community. But then, making a fool of myself is something I have always excelled at, and it is pretty much a requirement in Peace Corps. More to come on this, as it develops.
As for work, the name of the game is flexibility. Planned meetings or projects with farmers often fall through at the last moment, so I tend to play things by ear. I promote eco-friendly farming practices like composting and green manure (growing crops to be used to enrich the soil), all with the intent of increasing yields while keeping inputs low. Sometimes a farmer will want to try a new crop, so I will help him experiment with a small piece of land—minimum risk if things go poorly, but the chance to grow more if the crop is successful. I have heard recently on BBC broadcasts that the food shortage worldwide has prompted renewed interest in Agricultural Development, so it will be interesting to see if that has any effects on practices here. I’m still just getting my feet wet, so I am sure more work-related details will follow soon (successes hopefully, failures likely—but, as a book I read during training, and mentioned to you here already, Two Ears of Corn, puts it: “It seems characteristic of human nature that people learn more effectively from mistakes—their own as well as others’—then from success” Deep, right?)
Well, as the candle burns low, I too should go. Thanks to my Mom for typing these, I hope this new system works well! And thanks to you all for reading, commenting, writing....everything!
PS: Alternative title for this post: “Well I woke UP this Morning, Rainbow Filled the Sky” But the beautiful rainbow I saw today was in the afternoon, and I wouldn’t want to mislead you!
PSS: the words for rain and nose are very similar (orana and orona, respectively), so I get a laugh by saying, “the rain is cold, my nose is cold, everything is cold!” Hmm, maybe it sounds better in Malagasy...or maybe, like back home, they are just humoring me!
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