Hello again,

We just returned from visiting our friend, Melissa, who works with a group of model farmers on the plateau.  I say the plateau because there are distinct elevation differences here on the island (and because I can’t remember the name of her site and it wouldn’t matter to y’all anyway!). It gets cold on the plateau.  We arrived in Madagascar in February and so far, we have experienced seven months of straight-up cold!  Are we in Africa or did we get re-routed? 

It was a great visit and interesting to notice the differences among the Malagasy people. The Merina people, who live on the plateau, are lighter in color and look almost Native American. Many of them have long, straight hair and they are shorter and squatter than the Betsimisaraka people whom I live with on the east coast.  They speak Malagasy “official” whereas I speak a different dialect.  We learned a lot from the farmers there and hope to emulate some of their practices at our site.  We would have taken pictures if we had a camera but our camera has checked out to greener pastures.

So, it seems so far that all our good stories have to do with being on a taxi-brousse.  There are a couple different kinds of taxi-brousses. The taxi-brousses that frequently travel roads that aren’t completely shitty are like busses, and not the 4-wheel drive trucks that go to Imorona. The busses can comfortably seat 5 people per row.  So naturally, there were 8 of us.  I think my right lung has now been compromised from the weight of Tom’s body.  Anyway, that was on the way. One the way back, we were lucky enough to get a front seat.  Half way along the trip we stopped to relieve ourselves: OLOM-BELONA TSY AKOHO (literally: humans are alive, not chickens meaning, “hey driver, we have to pee!)   Anyway, everyone dropped their drawers and did their business.  I was indecisive and couldn’t decide if I had to go or not… So, right when everyone was loading back on the bus, I decided I better go.  Off I went, to the farthest bush I could find.  I got back on the bus and noticed that it smelled like someone didn’t get a full wipe in, if you know what I mean.  But alas, it was me!  I stepped in some poo. That’s never any fun. So, in front of a whole bus load of Malagasy people, I had to get out and wipe my shoe on some dirt.  Azafady indrindra… (really sorry!)

Ok, we are headed back to Tamatave today and after some business there, we’ll catch our taxi-brousse to home sweet home.  We have been away for much too long and are looking forward to getting back.  Thank you again for keeping in touch and sending news. As you know, we love to hear from you and we think of everyone almost everyday!

Lots of love,

Faith   

By the way, it is entirely possible that we will not have internet until late May/early June.  So, here is our address in case you have the sweet inkling to write;(and send yours along to so I can write!)

Faith Watkins

Corps de la Paix

B.P. 36

Mananara-Nord 511

Madagascar