Week Two

Dorm building at Camp PC

Sunday, 19 February 2023 (7)

Up at 5:00 am, can't sleep anymore. It seems that I need this extra time to get it all done. It doesn't seem to be of my choosing. I set no alarm, I plan no schedule. I just go to bed - usually later than most and find myself awake at an early hour. Am I still tired? Not really. But I am happy to think that I can have some extra time to film, to write, to study, to think and pray. 

Though the praying is less formal or perhaps different than most. Probably fits the "pray always" mode more than the ritual morning, noon and night variety.

God is my constant companion - especially in these days of strange and unusual experiences. He hears my concerns. He knows before me. We have a relationship. We always have. He guides me and I try my best to respond. I am led by his promptings within - do this, say that, consider that. 

It is interesting that I am asleep almost immediately here and only wake up maybe once a night. That may increase as I start drinking water more. It doesn't seem to matter whether the mattress is firm or soft, or the blankets enough or not. I find that I really don't need blankets. It doesn't get cold at night - at least not for me.

Spent a little time filming the sunrise, fishing locals on the lake, and volunteers waking up - exercising, stretching, contemplation their day. Did get seven interviews with other volunteers today. A good start. I think I'll edit these before pushing for more. It was a slow day as we only had to catch up on some training.

As a group we walked into town - maybe a two miles round trip.

While the others walked through the town, I tried to interact with the street vendors and people who may or may not have been interested in us. I felt utterly unable to remember any Malagasy at all. I stopped at a local bicycle repair shed (or at least I thought it was). Tried to speak. Unable to find any meaningful words other than the Malagasy word for Bicycle and adding I am Peace Corps. Very frustrating. Upon leaving, I heard a comment and them laughing. Not sure what to make of that.

Sitting at the porch of a storefront, I tried to figure out how to ask permission to film two old men (or at least they looked older - but could have easily been younger than me). They were playing a traditional Malagasy game called Fanorona, which looks a little like checkers. The small movable pieces were made from local pebbles, I suspect. The board - handmade.

I was invited by a third gentleman to sit and play. He indicated that he would film me. I hesitated before handing over my GoPro over, but I did. Maybe not a very wise thing but I decided to place trust in the man. Retelling this story later others suggested I did the wrong thing as he could have obviously run away with it. I joked that he was old and I probably would have been able to outrun him.

I lost the one move I made. It was good to at least try and interact. 

I bought cookies and a "World Cola" (a knock off of Cola-Cola) from the same man I played Fanorona with who operated this small storefront. I had no idea how much to pay nor whether I was getting the local price or the "Rich American" price. It didn't matter as I planned to pay more anyway as a way to assist or thank him for his hospitality and kindness. We played a guessing game as to what he or I was saying. Words failed me. Charades was more the form of this conversation. 

One, two, three packages of cookies? How about some gum? Is that gum? Coca-Cola? Sure - World Cola is fine. I had no idea what things cost, how much change I should receive back. I handed over a 10,000 Madagascar note (about $2). He returned more than half in change. No idea if it was too much or correct. I bought another cookie package and tried to get rid of that money. Handed a package to the other gentleman who may or may not have been asking for something. Then I handed over the remainder of the change to the vendor for his kindness.

Stopped at other vendors - selling meat on a table, shooing away flies with a brush like wand. Totally not communicating. The woman thought that I perhaps was interested in buying it and started to package it up. No, so sorry, I tried to say. Another woman from the neighboring stall knew I was Peace Corps and assisted me. I filmed her fruits and vegetables.

Eventually, I caught up with my cohort who were playing soccer with some very young scouts. Someone didn't think I should be filming them and tried to warm or give me advice about shooting video of kids and such. Though I wasn't concerned, I stopped and tried to validate her position and take it as a reminder to remember the boundaries. But I did disagree. I feel a little outnumbered here. I do not think they know me or my work or my ability to do what is right with the cameras. I believe they see me as an older guy with a hobby.

I have heard their arguments about being in the moment and not viewing reality through the lens of a camera or phone. I couldn't agree more. But sometimes I think I find my moment through that lens. Sometimes I see a beauty because I am looking for it and trying to capture it. Others can never experience some of these things if someone doesn't do it.

In the back of mind is an idea, a growing impression that the possibility of me not making the cut in three months is a real possibility. It's the possibility that I may not lose a few pounds, or get my iron up, and my blood pressure down. So I need to do all that I can now. I need to love these guys and strengthen and encourage and hope that at least their work, their sacrifice will be enough for us all.

Monday, 20 February 2023 (8)

Up at 5am. Video the beautiful spots around campus with the rising sun. I had tried to get a few shots of the other volunteers working out, contemplating, etc. but I think that may have gotten me into trouble. Sam spoke with me before breakfast to mention that several of the girls had been talking about me not respecting their bounds with my filming. They were considering letting staff know that it had gotten out of hand. And though I had expected something like this to be a problem, I expected it to come from staff. I knew I needed to minimize filming and instead work on the job and language. I guess I just didn't expect my cohort to take the filming so badly.

Sam didn't expect me to talk with them but I did. I apologized and as Sam suggested, not defend my actions. Then I found a few others and likewise apologized. I'll be putting the cameras away for a few days until I get to my host family, then I'll try again.

Before breakfast, all of us were expected to take a Covid test and reply to medical if we were positive or not. I guess we were all negative.

Had my Health Technical interview which was meeting with four staff members who just had be talk about the areas on a form they gave us earlier. They wanted to know what background I had in the health field, where I'd prefer to serve, etc. I had thought on these issues back hone and pretty much gave similar answers. I trust the process, I am willing to go wherever they can use me. I also mistakenly said I had no fears but quickly backtracked and gave a few besides the snakes and spiders.

After lunch was our first language class. Most were in groups of 3 or 4 while I was fortunate to just be together with Isabella. About 4 hours today that although we had fun, Isabella and I probably felt our heads would burst. We started with the basics, Words and phrases we could use immediately.

Did my first hand laundry this afternoon. Looks like it went well with my garments drying quickly.