Our Host Families

Thursday, 23 February 2023 (11)

It was a difficult day in language class. I get the current stuff, today it being sentence structure. But am almost clueless when it comes to remembering the phrases and connecting phrases that are important building blocks. Especially greetings. 

We did another field trip and went out to the gate back to talk to the security guards. While my fellow trainee, Isabella has it down. I am literally dumbfounded. It's like I was absent that day in school long ago when they covered adding and multiplying fractions and I can't remember how I ever figured it out without that basic understanding.  I hated those math cards all my school days - never sure I had it right or was just guessing.

There's a famous line from the movie Jerry Maguire - "you had me at hello!". In my case, I could easily say in almost every encounter - "You lost me at Hello!"

By the end of class, I was in tears and asked for the words " I am sorry". Our wonderful instructor Rindra encouraged me and insisted I had no reason to apologize, but should not be so hard on myself. But it is painful as I know I am trying to put in the time. Maybe just not on the right things. I know it will come, I know it takes time, and work, and lots of practice. We're like 1st graders just starting out reading and writing. It seems that when I speak the first thing my mind thinks as a response is Spanish or Dutch. It's complicated by words such as "Si" which in Spanish means "Yes" but in Malagasy means "no".

I had a long talk with our wonderful instructor Rindra. She has a law degree but chooses to be here. She says we inspire her. She has it backwards.

I'll be fine.

Friday, 24 February 2023 (12)

Today in language class we will cover numbers. I have 1 to 10 down. Now I just need to work on 11 to Infinity! That about sums up my impression of where I am with this language, I've barely scratched the surface.

Lots of classes about culture, what to do and not do, what is taboo, how to clean fruits, vegetables, meat, how to purify drinking water and use the filtration device. Though I think the training on washing things and purifying water was pretty quick. Everyone seems to be more concerned and worries about it than myself. There's lots of advice about what not to buy in markets, what not to order off the menu at a restaurant (when we eventually see one in a bigger town) and to order everything "Masaka Tsare" - well done.

There' s almost always never enough time to ask all the questions we have. And then there's those who would rather we not extend the class times. And I have my one or two question/comment muzzle to consider.

There was a party this evening as the girls put together something to celebrate Madi's Golden birthday (actually tomorrow) turning 25 on the 25th. They borrow lights and whatnot from anyone willing to share.  They also found "Dobby" face down by the medical buildings. That's twice I've almost lost him. They also wanted us to where yellow (I guess because it's her "golden" birthday. I wore my yellow rain pants. Sam really liked them and offered to buy them for $80. I just gave them to him. Later he would return them to me as they didn't fit. Then he turned it around on me and gave me a yellow rain jacket top that would go nicely with it.

I tried to get some footage of the party but it was very dark from the get-go. And then instead of games, I believe everyone just danced most of the evening. I heard it broke up about 11.  I was asleep by 10.

One corner of my new room.

Saturday, 25 February 2023 (13) Moving Day

Everyone is excited to be moving to their host family. We discovered yesterday where we would go, weather they had children or animals and where on the map the home is.

I received a family who is older. Robertini is 70, his wife 65. Two helpers are 50 and 45.  We joked it was a retirement home. I was the last to be dropped off at the end of the town and am actually in the French residence that looks like an old Palace. Literally looks like they should put a moat around it. We will have volunteer training here occasionally. I was hoping it had running water and electricity as it hinted. Instead there is electricity but no running water as I have thus far seen and the toilet is 150 feet or more away and is of the squat variety.

They also have a dog (Toties) and a cat (haven't met the cat yet).

But Robertini and his spouse has been great so far. I met them exiting the Peace Corps transport car and they were very polite. I was tongue tied and spoke little during lunch. Lunch itself was mostly rice, vegies and fish (with bones and head still intact). Picked up a few words and decided dinner would not be a repeat.  After lunch Robertini wanted to drive but I couldn't because of the rules. We ended up walking the maybe 1/2 mile and stopped at several stores along the way.

We went out to the Airtel store to put more credits on my phone. I had hoped to just do 60,000 Airey and it would be a credit to maybe spend half that on their internet plan but there was a lot of talking Robertini and the sales girls had. I think she just made the whole amount go towards the plan that gets me lots of internet data. Oh well, 60,000 is only about 16 dollars. We'll see this first month if it is too much.

Robertini gave me a few new works along the way though I doubt it lasted past a minute in my head. Stopped at a couple other stores and bought some of the bubblegum tasting soda we had at lunch. And at another store, we bought cigarettes four Robertini, chocolate that I think is made in Madagascar. It's really good. As well as some toilet paper.

I'll do a video segment tomorrow and show the building and myself in it.

Dinner was better as I had some time to prepare some words related to dinner. It went well and I'm sure they are going to be a great host for these 11 weeks. I am extremely tired? At dinner, I felt more relaxed. This time they only had rice, (mostly for Robertini), spaghetti noodles with and without and topping, some bread (no butter or anything to put on it).

Got my first mosquito bite. Not worried. 

Sunday, 26 February 2023 (14)

Up at 5 - 5:30. Is that sleeping in? Another cold shower. I'm sure I'll get used to it. Found myself all tangled up in the mosquito net. Probably wasn't very effective but I did feel like it was like any sleep here or at home.

Took video of this massive building I am living in. It is like a fortress and could use a moat. Breakfast of eggs and meat. More filming and organizing of my photo and video files. Was hoping to work on one or more videos. 

Most of the larger PC group got together at the soccer field and were exchanging "Host Family" stories. Robertini and I walked into town together again. Bought a few items and had fun in one of the stores just being curious. Some drink, some cookies and some Malagasy Chocolate bars. Tried to see if they had a pain of slipper type shoes but apparently they don't have anything in my size - just smaller. Saw a small child-sized painting set of primary colors and thought of Emily. I went up in the field where they were playing soccer with some local kids  to ask her how to say, "I have a gift for you." She misunderstood me and walked up to Robertini thinking I was asking her how to say it to him. I stopped her to tell her that no, they were for her.

Monday, 27 February 2023 (15)

Time to start a spread sheet with my wake and sleep times. Awoke at 4:30 - before the rooster. Some here are complaining about the roosters. If I'm truly asleep nothing will wake me. 

But I did go to bed with some knee pain. I had fallen on my left knee back on Thursday or Friday when our combined language group did a numbers game of hopscotch. Why I haven't felt any pain for a few days is beyond me. Took a couple "non-aspirin" from my medical kit this morning and a couple more this afternoon. Will probably follow that up with two more before bed.

I noticed that with this extra time I feel like I am living more deliberately. Taking more time to do the basics and get it all done - washing, studying, organizing, prayer and scripture study and maybe then a little editing. And I find myself taking long showers again. Not because the hot water sooths and relaxes me but because the cold water is so difficult to apply to parts of my body that doesn't want to get that - specifically, my back.

We have classes here at the fortress in the large room above me. From the comments I am getting as I let some see my crib, about a half a dozen now - accommodations are obviously diverse and often less spacious than mine. Which is interesting considering my first impression of this place.  It didn't seem like quite the palace that others are saying.  But then I had nothing to compare it to. Sounds like I lucked out. Some think they have a place a quarter of the size. Another indicated that the whole family was living a space the size of my room. Though I doubt that.

Here there are no children to distract me and even Robertini and his wife have made no demands on my time nor let me do any chores. Eventually, I imagine we'll connect on other subjects but so far my only real connection has been at meals where I get to try out my latest vocabulary of words about food, or clothing, or some such.

Language lesson today was on shopping and Cedric and I are the only two being taught by Tojo (pronounced Tuju). We had both studied shopping words ahead of class so we had a better chance of getting things.

Our other classes were about the weekend we just had with our host families and were asked about what shocked us, what surprised us, what were some inconveniences, issues and concerns as well as what fun stuff we had encountered. Personally,  I think all those areas were to be expected and didn't much phase me. Some of the others had privacy concerns, safety concerns and a mattress that sagged so bad it touched the floor.

There was questions related to trash for example and most have yet to find a trash can, me either. Others are worried about the burning of plastic or what to do with used feminine products. It surprises me to see staff react like they have never heard these questions and have few answers - innovate or punt being one of them. I'll give it to them that the Peace Corps is just getting back into the swing of things here and all staff may not have been around for years - still answers are not easily found even from staff.

In the afternoon we talked about Heath and Public health. From all this talk about what we'll be doing here - it seems obvious that we are treating the symptoms while the bigger issues are poverty and lack of education.

After class a few of us got together, "the rejects" as one called us. We don't seem to be the cool kids or fit in with some of the other cliques. There's starting to be a little drama amongst the groups and individuals. I'm staying out of the mix. It's natural that we are all pulling back from the social side and focusing on learning the language but there is still some closer than we may be or there are tensions among a few as opinions vary and people say things in jest, but they get escalated out of proportion - drama - it's here!