First Haircut

Cutting grass - Malagasy style.

Saturday, 11 March 2023 (27)

We did some health conversations in town related to the health of children under the age of five. We also had guests who spent some time with each of our groups to tell us more about the regional differences and uniqueness of our regions.

Then I put a little more study in before a quick nap and into town for both an opportunity to talk to people and do a little shopping. Bought Totos a very large bone which likely needs to be cut up if she's even to get her mouth around it.

I think I'm having a bad day. Not feeling like the language is coming. Probably just a bad day. 

I think we're up to five volunteers who have Covid now.

Worked on a very short video. I'm going to try and upload it. It's a placeholder video to explain that more is coming and that I've been filming all along but just need to get things edited. I have about 5 interviews with other Peace Corps volunteers that I shortened down and will upload them one at a time as I have time in the late evening when internet speeds are best.

Sunday, 12 March 2023 (28)

Fairly restful day. I didn't go anywhere except outside to play with and feed Totos and the chickens. Did some packing for the site visit later this week. Cut down my medical kit for traveling. Studied for a couple hours and wrote out the half a dozen paragraphs I need translated in Malagasy for my Language Proficiency Test down the road. The plan is to hijack the discussion and have this memorized part to help me impress the tester with my language skills and fill up some of the time. 

Here's the text I am having Rindra, my instructor help me translate into Malagasy.

I am here to help.

I wish only to understand, to appreciate and to love the people.

My time, talents, and heart is for you and those in need.

I am sorry I have only a short time to serve.

There is no inconvenience or sacrifice too great that I could not or would not endure to be here.

When I leave this beautiful place which I hope to call my home, I believe I will never have done enough, 

never learned enough, never understood enough, never loved enough.

Thank you for your help. Thank you for your kindness. Thank you for your hospitality. 

Thank you for loving us and giving us the opportunity to love you and the Malagasy people.

I believe there is a God. I pray he will bless you, your people, and our feeble efforts to serve.

How can I help?

I sewed a hole in my pants. It was the first time I sewed anything in the last decade or two. I also edited more interviews and made short versions to put up on YouTube. Last night I did manage to edit and put up a short - one minute segment to explain that videos are indeed coming. It was also a good test to see how bad uploading speeds are. It took all of 12-15 minutes for a one minute clip. I think it might be faster if I waited until midnight or later.

Monday, 13 March 2023 (29)

Today we've been on the Peace Corps Adventure exactly 1 month - if one does not count the lengthy process getting here. I was up until about 2am and even then I let the computer finish uploading. It took between two and three hours to upload a nine and a half minute video - probably the longest interview of the five that I have. Two more interviewees have asked that I not use their interviews. 

There is no time change here like in the states where they have just sprung forward for the spring. Here we follow the universal clock and rise with the light and sleep when it gets dark - or at least the current residents here do. I'm still burning the candle at both ends. I woke to Father Robertini calling my name. It was 6:30 and the first time I did not wake up automatically. The Robertini's had once again set breakfast outside my door as we were headed to PC Camp for some of the groups to leave and some last minute training for us all.  I ate most pf the breakfast but gave Toto's the bread and some school kids my two bananas. I think I have had bananas every day I have been here.

My Covid test was negative this morning. We'll be taking another on Wednesday and Friday. We have been issued a dozen tests or so. With so many of us (5) currently having Covid I am amazed that there are still girls (six this morning) who still are not wearing a mask in the van that picks us up at the post office at 7:30, even though we're been asked to do so. Just the driver, Tojo and I were wearing them. I did not want to speak up with this specific group and neither did Tojo. He said he did not want to embarrass or say anything publicly. I found it interesting that a main discussion these girls had this morning was about getting a manicure or pedicure while in Tana. I'm more interested in finding some socks and a t-shirt. Believe it of not - I brought no T-shirts as I knew I could always pick them up in Madagascar. The problem is that the small local stores don't carry much other than food items, candies, cigarettes, flip flops and basic cooking items. For the more stocked store with towels, clothing and the like - one has to travel to a much larger town.

I was surprised when Cedric said he and his parents had already seen his interview video I uploaded. I was hoping to ask him if it was ok first, or at least give him both the long and short versions. Then I was going to mention that the video is already online. He doesn't seem to care.

We were given our Madagascar ID cards that we must have on us at all times. Included was a color copy of our government passport and our visa.  And there's paperwork we need to fill out when we are on site. Contact numbers, hours our CSB will be open, GPS grid coordinates for our house and a landing zone for a helicopter should an emergency arise. There's a few forms we've been given as homework to do while we are there. A few facts and figures to collect and start already to integrate into the community.

The man over all the instructors and I had a talk. I thanked him for his kind evaluation the other day and he mentioned the reasons why I am in a language study group all alone. It seems they know how I have been a little on the outs with the group and they worry that I may have a slower or different learning pace. I believe they truly have made exceptions for me - including housing me at the remote classroom building.

Rindra, my personal instructor/ tutor and I have hit it off well and she is nothing but complimentary, even though I think differently. We spent half the class reviewing conversation I can have with my site host family and the other half out and about talking to men, women and children trying to get me more practice. Still using my book and notes to keep me on task and moving forward with the right phrasing, questions and pronunciation. But I do so mangle the language. I asked Rindra if she could help me with the phrases, "I have Tourretes." or "I am a stutterer." She had no idea what that is. Doesn't look like I can fall back on that.

After class I headed into town to get a haircut. Step dad Robertini's told me there was none but I've seen the french sign "Couture". I stopped at one hairdresser and we had a friendly if not confusing conversation from my part but she would not cut my hair. Down the road I did find a male barber. He took forever. I think I could have gone to a wedding after this haircut which had to have been 30 minutes or more. I have a limited vocabulary so could only say "kely, kely" hair. But then I realized he may think I want short hair or just have my hair trimmed a little. It turned out to be something between the two. And of course I couldn't make out what the price should be. I had heard it was about 2000 to 3000 Ariary. I gave him 20,000 and said to keep all of it. It's crazy when you can get a haircut for 50 cents.