post one

Salama! So much has happened already... what do i say? The travel was exhausting but the people have been extrememly nice and welcoming. I spent a few days at a small village, Manatantaley, where we began learning Malagasy et some local danse. We also took a hike with a local forestry emp[loyee. (I've officially hiking in a tropical rain forest!!) We saw our first chameleons== one about a foot long. Most of us also had run in with some leeches. They were [pretty small and thankfully are not dangerous medically, just rather strange to feel and experieince.

We made a few friends with the local villagers== exchanging the few Malagasy words that we knew. They also got a good laugh watching us learn to dance and sing Malagasy at the same time. Our next adventure was going to market with a little money to buy food for a dinner. My partner and I bought a live chicken for 4,000 Ar (less than 2$)

Now I am in FOrt Dauphin, a larger city in the south. THe town in surrounded by the Indian Ocean and mountains. I"ve never seen mountains so close to the sea before! It's absolutely beautiful! I walk about 30 min to school every day, part of which includes a crossing a small beach where fishermen park there dug out canoes. We've heard talks in French about local NGOs, the history of the city, and various conservation issues, etc. We've also had French and Malagasy classes as well.

My homestay father works for a local radio station, and my homestay mother stays at home. They have one child, Alain. Kind of strange as most \Malagasy families have many children. They are very friendly, welcoming, and patient with my French. (only the father speaks French). Their home is small, clean, and modest. Kenny (the dad) loves country music! and knows more about country musiciennes that me! We spent some time this morning listening to and talking about American music== Nickelback, Kelly CLarkson, Cat Stevens, Black Eyed Peas... comme ca. So ironic! I was surprised, but apparently there are a lot of Christians in Madagascar. \Kenny is Catholic and his wife (i forgt\et her name) is protestant. We pray together before we eat (althugh I don't understnad any of it). I only wish I'd brought some music with me to give to the family! Ce marche bien!

We've been eating alot of rice usually with beans or some sort of sauce with cooked vegetables. There have also been alot of cucumbers and carrots (prepared safely and in the unique malagache way). Breakfast is baguettes or la riz rouge avec le miel... a different riz with honey or sugar. There's also plenty of tea, coffe, and rice water. Meat is mostly fish or shrimp with the occaisional zebu. Zebu is the traditional cow== owning a herd of zebu is money in the bank. It's your prize possession. ANyway they are cows with significant horns and a fatty hump just after their neck. The zebu is on most of the currency. Desert is fruit.

Welll...that's all for now I need to get back home for dinner and maybe a bucket shower. The peple are awesome and all goes well. I haven't even gotten majorly sick! Grace, peace. and love...