Malagasy Dental Work

Sunday, 5 March 2023 (21)

Slept in - 6am. No classes today. A good day to put things in order. With so little in property, it doesn't take much time to put things in their place or at least start to think about having a place for everything. A few things went back into the locked locker even if I don't lock it unless I expect to be gone overnight. That's when I'll put the laptop and cameras in it.

Got my laundry down from upstairs and put back on the clothes line. Got it all dried but I wouldn't call it really clean. Hopefully, the sweat and any major dirt found its way out. I think even our handbook suggests trying to get 2-4 days from our clothing and change our underwear daily. I'm working on a system to rotate three or four sets of pants and clothes around the room so I know what I should wear next. It's not a fashion thing around here. Fortunately, most of my clothes can be mixed and matched. Should be good for a week or ten days but I'll try and do laundry more often.

Studied until about noon. Have three small notebooks now - labeled shopping, conversations, meals (time spent with Robertini's). I think I'll add somethings to all the books like pro-nouns, verbs and some things that I'll always be able to use but specific phrases and words of items I would buy, things I'd talk about, or words related to meal time discussions. I feel better about my ability to get this language after putting in this extra time to organize and re-evaluate what I am needing. Wasn't doing well yesterday. I think if I just keep at it like today, I'll be fine.

The realities of Malagasy dental work

I went around and picked up some of the papers and garbage around the entrance to the fortress. I do not know why but there isn't an efforts to pick up very much around one's property. I could be wrong but have noticed this is other poverty stricken countries. I found a molar on the ground not far from the door. It looks like someone had taken it out themselves and there were large roots. It could not have been pleasant and I can't determine how it was done. It must have hurt badly. If we had dental problems here, the Peace Corps would bring us to a larger city that had a reputable dentist relative to Peace Corps and American standards. We are the fortunate ones even while living here.

Walked into town to meet people and part of that is shopping (sorry, it is the sabbath). Most of the stores are closed on Sunday (good for them). But I have other intents as well. I bought half a kilo of bananas at my friend Odette's shop. Then found myself talking to people here and there and before I realized it I was giving the bananas away. Spoke with two women and a child at the empty market place, spoke with four men at the meat vendor shop, came up to a group of a dozen (mostly men) who were playing a gambling game. It looked like an expanded tic-tac-toe board and they would put down 100ar bills on numbers. It looked like 1 to 1 rewards so I don't follow how the odds worked out for anyone except the game runner. I didn't want to gamble (I think it's against the rules and I wouldn't want to take from these people) nor did I have any small bills. But I did put an akondro (banana) on number five. Everyone seemed to enjoy me being there (we are novelties) and there was no air of worry, or concern for my safety. The rest of the bananas quickly disappeared.

It started to rain heavily and I found some shelter under a store front. A man who was inebriated was trying to talk to me but I could make out little. One of the others bought some notebooks and I did also along with more cookies and a "World Cola". I finished the drink and returned the bottle. I think you get a refund but refused any. Headed back home but the rain was on and off and very heavy. Stopped at Odette's shop and she offed me to come into her shack and out of the rain. I practiced my Malagasy with her and her friend. Other volunteers and Toto's got those cookies.

I had hoped to get a lot of editing done today but it doesn't look like it's going to happen. But I am pleased that the day  was restful, organized and helpful in getting me more optimistic about learning the language.