Monday, March 1, 2010

One month in...

February 13, 2010
I’m continuing to get more comfortable in my village. I was invited to speak at an event for all the schools in my commune (about 8 of them I think); I did a (very) short presentation on hand washing and nutrition and sang two Malagasy songs (regarding each topic) for about 250 people (mostly kids and teenagers). This was all done in one of those bull horn/microphone things. I went fairly well I think; they especially seemed to enjoy my songs. Here are the words and the rough translations:

Zaza Manasa Tanana (children wash your hands) *to the tune of “wheels on the bus”
Zaza manasa tanana, tanana, tanana (children wash your hands, hands, hands)
Zaza manasa tanana (children was your hands)
Jereo ny tanana (look at my hands)
Madio ny tanana (my hands are clean)

Sakafo volanjalanja (Balanced food) *to the tune of “oh my darling”
Fanorenana (building foods *ie “grow foods” - proteins*)
Fiasana (working foods *ie “go foods”- carbs*)
Fiarovana koa (protecting foods too *ie “glow foods” – fruits and veggies)
Volanajalanja (balanced)
Miovaova (variety)
Lanjalanjao (balanced)
Ny sakafonao (your food)
Mihinan-kena (eat meat)
Mihinan’ ovy (eat potatoes)
Mihiana anana sy paiso (eat greens and fruit)
Voatabia, tsaramaso (tomatoes, beans)
Dia ho salama ianao (then you’ll be healthy)

I did not write these songs myself… I got them from one of the language teachers during training. Not much else has been going on, just the regular daily routine.

March 1, 2010
I have been here for just over a month now, and time has gone by pretty quickly. My language is getting better slowly, but is still not great yet (which actually turns out to be amusing at times). One day at the clinic, a man came in with an STD and I told him he really needs to be using condoms when he has sex, and I asked if he knew how to properly use a condom. Before he could answer the nurse told me to just go ahead and explain it. Of course, I don’t really know any technical jargon really, so I wound up saying the few words that I could get out while demonstrating with an old condom and a wooden penis that Peace Corps issued us for just such an occasion. After a lot of awkward laughter and the nurse re-explaining the parts I fumbled through, he seemed to get it, and maybe was just grateful that the whole thing was over (at least I was).
Since I have a lot of free time on my hands (something I know I will miss when I come back home), I’ve been doing a lot of reading, playing guitar, and exploring my neighborhood on my bike. The other day I went riding out in the fields and I found this great big tree that provides a lot of shade, and while sitting underneath it I can enjoy a gorgeous view of the fields and mountains that surround me. I’ve enjoyed going out there and just sitting or reading a book. Another day, I went further down the path and found this creek that I think leads into the major river right by me. I was walking on top of the rocks that go across it when I man came up and started talking to me, but I couldn’t really understand what he was saying. I know he said something about the creek, and I think it may have been that there are alligators in it. I’m not sure, but I’m not about to go looking to find out.
All in all, things are going well, and I’m enjoying myself, but I do miss home sometimes. So, if you want to help with that and are feeling generous and want to send me something, here is a list of things that would be greatly appreciated:
***letters are always appreciated… my address is on the side bar
*books (any book that you enjoy will do. I’m also interested in the Kathy Reichs – creator of the show Bones – novels)
*Magazines (again, any will do – gossip/trashy, news, decorating… maybe anything but the food ones… that would probably just make me hungry and jealous)
*(on that topic) Food – anything that will keep for a while, as it takes about a month and a half to get to me… such as granola/protein bars, peanuts/cashews/pistachios (any sort of nuts really), things that can be cooked on a stove top that don’t have to be frozen or refrigerated (mac & cheese), candy is good too (note that peanut m&ms don’t melt)

Also if you ever have the time, please call me. My number is: 011 261 033 05 901 76 or you can dial +261 033 05 901 76. You can use skype or just an international calling card.