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One of the store owners kids

Tuesday, 6 June 2023 (113)

Had the usual busy morning at the CSB as newborns, toddlers and their mothers came here for their vaccines. There was a heated discussion between Rindra and the doctor as he made some statements that we were speaking a lot of English and it doesn't appear that I am communicating any better. Rindra said she felt he was telling her how and what to do as if he was her supervisor. I get the impression that Dr. Clertant has higher expectations for Peace Corps volunteers than he should. I see some real disappointment coming his way. I believe he thinks we should speak better, be more medically skilled or just be something we (and I) clearly am not. I've asked Rindra to clarify that she is here because I am at the bottom of language skills and that other volunteers don't get tutors, just the bad ones.

It is what it is and doesn't bother me except that he has anticipations higher than he should. I may never be able to write down their names without misspellings. I'm not even sure they themselves can. He's implying that until I can do some things perfectly, he doesn't want me to do certain tasks until I can. That's not likely to happen and I need this time and place to fail and the grow and to learn - and it will be slow. I thought he himself understood that but it seems just the opposite now.

The market afterwards brings the usual entertainment to me as well as that which I provide. Trying to see and talk with the same vendors every week and show the locals I am here to stay. That I am a fixture in the town. We came across the majoy and I ask Rindra to express our concerne that Dr. Clertant may be expecting too much.

It came to me that it may be hard to leave if I come to love the people I serve. Seems pretty obvious.

There are three interns spending the next month here at the CSB. From Rindra's interpretation, I believe they are to be paramedics studying their profession and required to do this kind of training. I had them over to play a game of monopoly. It went slowly and they didn't always grasp the strategy involved - like the necessity to buy and own property. Unfortunately, I won which I shouldn't do.

Wednesday, 7 June 2023 (114)

Went into town and with Rindra's assistance worked out a deal to buy a dozen eggs weekly from one of the restaurants for about 833ar each. Still just $2.30 a dozen. A bit more than the going rate, but worth it to not have to buy them in Antsirabe and bring them home unbroken by taxi-bruss every week.

Late this morning, we spent some time with the three medical/paramedic interns who are staying with the CSB for the next month. They wanted to know about my medical experiences but I tried to turn it around on them and expressed how similar we are. How impressed I am with them, for choosing this profession. How great it is to serve, and how we shouldn't view our differences as anything other than that. No comparisons are appropriate or necessary. Our countries, like ourselves are all different and shouldn't be compared. Later, Rindra said that I was inspiring but could never have expressed myself if she wasn't my interpreter.

We also met with the town carpenter, David who made the bookcase of mine and we commissioned him to make me a table for 120,000ar. I gave him a 80,000 advance. I think that’s a great rate and I intend on paying him more. He's an older guy (61) with lots of energy and enthusiasm. We also mentioned how I would like to spend some time with him observing, filming, learning and even working on projects - for free. No way would I take any money or compensation.

He was ecstatic and walked up the hill with us after doing his errands. At his home a mile up the hill, and across the river, he introduced us to his family (son, wife, daughter-in-law, grandchildren). Not sure what I am buying into here but it's another way I have to connect with the community. He brought out his tools to show me what he is working with. All hand tools, no battery or electricity here. He showed me photos of some of his work - truly amazing for the circumstances, simplicity, and complications. I showed him photos of my small buildings, and of course he thinks he could learn from me. I doubt that. His lifetime of building the Malagasy way is so much more experience than my hobby.

I'm thinking a day a week up here. Bring Dobby. Learn. Share. Speak the language. Contribute as little or as much as I can.

This afternoon, the doctor's wife mentioned how she had talked with other teachers at the school she is over and how they would like to have me teach some of their students and teachers after the coming holidays between school semesters. When she asked me when or how often, I turned it around on her - as is the Peace Corps way - when do they want me to teach and how often? Their needs and wants are my focus, not mine. My schedule is theirs. I am happy to serve, however and where ever.

Before the sun set, we had the group of three interns (Francisco, Simonette, and Nantenaina), one of my co-workers (Yanch), the doctors daughter (Sam) and Rindra come over to play another game of monopoly. This time I tried not to win and didn't. I have no idea how I could teach any of the other games to them when Rindra is gone, but should try. We started this as a way to teach English but they don't seem to be speaking or learning it much. We are having fun and I'm trying not to overdo my hosting. I've provided soda and candy. I have the perfect atmosphere with a great lighting fixture, my small game sized table and a great environment with space and color.

Edible bug found in the market but not sure what kind

Thursday, 8 June 2023 (115)

No running water again today. About every two days the water stops running or just slows down significantly at times during the day.

Spent the morning at the CSB but with nothing to do I started picking up trash. Got the whole compound cleaned up. Doctor C says I don't need to or shouldn't do but that doesn't stop me. He also said the mayor wanted to talk with me so we wandered over to the village offices. On the way, he was trying to express that he thought I had a problem with him - this likely due to the fact that we talked with the mayor on Tuesday and it obviously got back to him. I said I had no problems but that I was concerned he would eventually have problems with me. The mayor came along down the path and I think we just skipped the need to talk by saying there was no problems. 

I did mention my connecting with and plans to work with David, a friend of his and the town's carpenter. Did we all solve the problem of working together better? Not sure. Probably not. We'll see.

My tutor Manda came by. He needed to be trained by Rindra but she had gone up to Antsirabe with Nada and her sick cat to my vet. I entertained or I should say, was tutored for my first hour as we covered material I was already familiar with. Rindra eventually came around and we did the training he needs to get for the Peace Corps to feel satisfied.

The gang of three interns and the doctor's daughter and Sarah came by for more games. We taught them Skull King and Liars dice or I should say Rindra did. But liar's dice wasn't an easy teach as math skills here in Madagascar are pretty bad. But it should have been fairly fun even if I am the only one learning about numbers in their language.

Nada's cat died this evening. It had a severe case of worms supposedly and it was too small and young for any treatment.

Found in Antsirabe today

Friday, 9 June 2023 (116)

Before Rindra left for home today, we had one more good talk with the doctor and discussed the possibility of painting the two rooms used for pregnancies. I have always thought a fresh coat of paint would help brighten up and encourage women to want to come to the CSB for their deliveries. I didn't want this to just be me or my idea. I keep trying to express or in this situation, have Rindra express how the Peace Corps methods is more about getting the community to tell you what they need or want rather than it coming from the Peace Corp volunteer. In the current case, it seems that the doctor and I are on the same page. 

I also wanted Rindra to express the idea that this is not going to happen by the Peace Corps. Yes, we could put in a grant for paint but that likely will take several months to get approved and funded. Perhaps we'll still do so but it can help fund more paint down the road.

I was able to get a ride with the Peace Corps vehicle to Antsirabe where I picked up more groceries. Unfortunately, they are mostly snacks, candies, and cookies. I originally was going to take in Dobby as they injected her last shot into the skin of her neck instead of muscle. For the last week, she's had a lump where the medication pooled. But today the lump subsided and Rindra called the vet to see if it was ok not to bring her in for a second shot.

It was important to pick up more paint to do Sarah's room on Monday. My regular paint store was out of that particular blue paint so I started looking in some of the others. I asked a couple guys standing on the street where I could buy paint. One took me to a store just down the street. I could find it on my own but he was being very helpful. Obviously he knows how to get into my attention and likely will expect something in return. I don't have a problem with that so long as we both benefit. The store didn't appear to have the paint but another gentleman overheard our conversation and took us to the back warehouse and found just the right kind of blue, maybe even brighter than the last.

So I bought the paint and needed a ride to the Taxi-brusses. Of course this guy has a PusPus and took me there. In negotiating his fee I didn't have anything smaller than a 10,000. He said something along the lines of examine your heart and I knew he was playing me a little, but I was ok with it as he had been very helpful. I asked for 5,000 back and he was good with that. Normally the PusPus ride costs 2,000.

The nearly two hour ride back got me to thinking. I remember several years ago a dream that came to me several times. In it I was on a another mission. In that dream I was older than everyone else. I had thought it was related to a proselytizing mission for the church but now I see how it probably was about serving in this capacity with all the younger PCVs. It isn't the first time I've had dreams that came true or brought understanding to my life.

Saturday, 10 June 2023 (117)

It had been a good day to get things accomplished. I got my laundry done, painted some shelves and the boards used to secure my shutters, and I cleaned up and organized my room as well as scrubbed some of the floor.

Sunday, 11 June 2023 (118)

Woke up with a droopy left eyelid. It's probably related to the bad sunburn I have on my nose. I've been applying moisturizing cream and perhaps that got into my eye. I need to wait until tomorrow before I can or should contact the Peace Corps doctors. They don't like to be disturbed on weekends unless it's an emergency. I also have a Tovo coming by tomorrow when he is in the neighborhood.