1 Month In

Salama? (Hi / Okay / what's up?) I just returned to Tana from my site visit. I am exactly half way through training. Things are going pretty well. I am living with a host family in a small remote, but middle class (malagasy middle class) town 2 hours East of Tana (the capital). My host family is great they care for me very much and are great about giving me space and time alone.

Adapting to a new culture is a lot like growing up all over again. You start out an infant- no vocabulary, a bit of crying, gastro-intestinal trauma. But slowly you acquire some words, bond with your family, and begin to venture out on your own. Right now, I'd say I just turned 16. I went on my first solo venture through the countryside (more about this later) and I'm beginning to feel comfortable interacting with Malagasy people, all the while I'm growing tired of Peace Corps "testing" they are constantly surprising us (usually with bad news and schedule changes) and as I explore I'm beginning to see that the trainers haven't quite told us the whole truth about this country and the people. Don't worry though, I don't think I'll be a rebelous teenager, I think I'll save that for my late 20's.

In other news, I saw my site. It is absolutely fantastic. Really, it's unbelievably gorgeous. Imagine a key-west beach mixed with an african decidous forest (think coastal texas if you can't picture that), combined with a cheesapeak bay like marsh (lots of egrets). It is so beautiful. (I'll post pictures in a few weeks)

Any of you who have thought even remotely about coming to visit. Stop thinking, start planning- this is a once in a lifetime travel opportunity for you. A bungalo style hotel is under construction and will be done in a few months. It is also gorgeous, but also quante (and rustic, although they are planning to install solar power and there are showers and toilets). You will be able to stay in the hotel and/or in my hut (yes I am going to live in a hut. But its a nice hut.) and get to see rural african life from the inside rather than as a tourist. So the best time to come is anytime after october of this year. Oh, and Dad- stop worrying about parasites they are relatively rare, never fatal, and usually nothing more than a minor annoyance. Yes, that's right, a minor annoyance, really!

So I'll try to write some more tomorrow night (tuesday march 22nd). I have to go as my computer time is all used up (we have 12 people here tonight and only 1 computer). I love many of you and miss all of you. Please write letters, I have only recieved them from Maya, Mom, and Dad. AND, I don't have your addresses, so you have to write first.

Veloma

Comments

[gleb]

You're growing up so fast... how about that drivers license?

gastro-intestinal trauma.. hah! I love the word choice :)

Tell us about your solo venture on the country side! Have you seen any of those really creepy endangered animals? the ones with the long middle finger? I am going to assume no, cause they only come out at night. Whats the local superstition about those crazy lil guys?

If you are missing home.. Don't, because nothing interesting is happening here, everyone is just following the same old daily routines, while you're discovering a new culture!! GG.

I am going to visit your parents and send you a nice little package of goodies tomorrow morning. Hopefully you get the package soon.

Everyone is thinking about you.

I am proud of you PBD!

[gleb]

p.s.: Under Ideas for care packages, you should make that a journal entry,so that if someone sends you a book that you want they can post that they sent it.

[Shawn Peabody]

Gleb! Great to hear from you.

I didn't see any Aie-Aie's on my site visit. They are quite rare and don't live in my region.

But, there are plenty of fun supperstitions up there (non-related to the Aie-Aie). My favorite is the prohabition on eating pork... and sailing in the ocean... in the same day. Pork- okay, Sailing- Fine. Pork & Sailing- Unacceptable.

I'm looking forward to your package / letter. I hear you went to see Omaley with Ash. GG.