Keeping Busy

PCV's Michelle and Kristy

Friday, 30 June 2023 (137)

Waiting at the taxi-brusse in Sahanivotry for it to leave - I’m the first and offered the front seat which is a highly prized location usually less packed than the rest of the vehicle. I think the driver is the doctor’s brother but I'm not going to ask him. Other brusses pass us also headed north to Antsirabe but it is impolite to hitch a ride on these, otherwise passengers would never fill up here in town. It's about thirty minutes before we leave but I'm in no hurry. The driver says for another two thousand ariary (less than 50 cents) I can have the front to myself and my backpack. I pay the man.

Yes, I'm in the death seat should we experience a head on crash and there are no seatbelts. Some vehicles are so used up and not cared for that there's no door handles or even windows. I hadn't noticed until I was asked to step out so they could lift the front seat and add water to the radiator but there is a glass window up against my back.

Safety is always a concern but because the road is so bad with potholes that most vehicles are traveling at slower speeds - usually 20-30 mph. This driver was especially slow. At times I wondered if we weren't any faster than a bike. Maybe it was because we needed the air that was put in the van as we approached Antsirabe.

Often the vans stop for gas but rather than filling up, they will get just a couple liters or maybe a couple gallons. It may have something to do with the fear of running out of gas which I have experienced on a trip. Or maybe they have to justify a profit on every trip. Even in leaving Sahanivotry with me and a handful of others, we were beyond safe capacity upon arrival. And we had ten or so charcoal bags and a bike or two overhead as well.

Met with Michell from G58 group. She and I are both older (she in her 50s) and we both had Rindra for our language coaches. And of course, we both struggle with just the basics of the language.

She explained how she's not liking her role as an English teacher. She says is very rigid and she doesn't like teaching just grammar. She also doesn't like living in a large city like Antsirabe but would prefer wide open spaces. When she asked about being moved to another location, the Peace Corps said that is not possible and instead suggested she consider going home. She needs only to send an email with that request and she'll be on her way in 72 hours.

I'd like to video interview her before she leaves, possibly next week.

Another person I'd like to interview is Kristy who is a deaf volunteer who was sent home when Covid hit and returned to finish her two years. She's been teach deaf Madagascar students English this whole time.

It was nice to have a night in Antsirabe as we've been without water for six days now other than an hour or two. A hot shower. A meal I did not cook. A bed without bedbugs, I hope. The hardest part is leaving Dobby in the house for 24 hours or more. She has plenty of food and two water dishes.

I had taken my very large yellow bag that I brought with me to Madagascar to carry 50 pounds of gear. This weekend I hoped to bring back a lot more paint than usual 4-8k plastic containers rather than the two I've been getting as well as more canned goods and supplies.

I got to Antsirabe early enough that I was able to have lunch with Michelle and Kristy who is a deaf volunteer finishing up her two years in the next two months. She too was sent home when Covid hit and she came back sometime between or around the time the G57 group was in training.

I was amazed that you could serve the Peace Corps being deaf, but she is teaching English to other deaf students. I would like to interview on video both of these women for the channel and hope to do so in the next couple weeks. Kristy goes home in a couple months while Michelle is thinking of leaving next week.

They both are on the older side, both probably in their 50s. I think the three of us constitutes the three oldest volunteers currently in Madagascar. I am likely the eldest. It's always nice to compare stories and experiences. Sometimes it helps to understand how we all are having similar difficulties - with language, food, the job or socially - and sometimes we hear how much more difficult it is for others and we feel grateful for the circumstances we find ourself in.

This afternoon I headed out to Antsirabe's Saturday Market (Tsina Sabotsy) to get many of the items I had on my list. Every time I come to town, I have a list of foods and supplies I want or need. Unfortunately the paint store didn't have the gray paint I was needing to finish my doors back at the CSB. He did say he'd be able to have it in by tomorrow morning though.

Tonight, I'm staying at the other official Peace Corps hotel in town - Lovasoa. Rather than spending the big bucks for a room with its own bathroom, I went for the 47,000ar room (less than $10) with shared bathrooms and showers across the hall. I've been told there are also dorm rooms available for only 17,000ar (about $3.50) but I am concerned about security with all the items I'm hoping to buy and take home on this trip. I was surprised to find the hotel nearly empty. Even Peace Corps volunteers were not in tonight but many have work to do on Fridays and wouldn't come in till tomorrow. Thomas from G57 was here but he was sick and unable to visit. Michelle and Kristy live just minutes away so they have no need of hotels here. Tracy won't be in town till tomorrow afternoon. Emily and Tahlia would also be here in the morning.

Dinner was at the Green Park hotel restaurant - just me.

Saturday, 1 July 2023 (138)

This morning I heard my name being called out in the hallway. It was Emily. The hotel people were planning on putting her and Tahlia in my room when I vacated it. Emily and I went to breakfast and caught up. Again, it was good to hear how difficult and complicated she was having at her site which is just a short bicycle ride out of town.  

At the paint store they only had two of the gray paint buckets instead of the four I had hoped for. Ended up getting two light blue buckets for the delivery room. Just a another stop at one of the four American style food stores for some meat and canned items. I don't think I can buy meat in Sahanivotry anymore. It's bad enough to make anyone a vegetarian - maybe even me - or at least a non-meat eater.

Home on the Taxi-brusse. Bought candy but it was all given away before we even left Antsirabe. 

Dobby missed me and had lots of small messes in the house but nothing to worry about. She got into the box of additional food items under the kitchen table and had herself some cookies and crackers. I'll be more worried when she gets some bigger teeth and actually does damage to my shoes and various cables here and there.

Sunday, 2 July 2023 (139)

Woke up not feeling well and thus didn't get to church in Manadona.  I've got to stop compensating meals with cookies and treats. Maybe instead just live with the one maybe two meals a day without additional treats. I feel like I'm headed back up with the weight.

It was a slow day. 

Still no water - eighth day? We did get a little last night (it may have lasted an hour but with very little flow and pressure) and I filled my plastic laundry bins with enough water to use one for washing and one for rinsing.  Filled up my reserve water containers as well.

Surprisingly, I was able to get all my clothes washed - only took a couple hours. The doctor is still out of town.

Monday, 3 July 2023 (140)

Back to painting. Got the other two kabone doors, their frames and the visitor kabone and its frame. Doctor Clertant asked me if I could paint a couple 4x4 panels gray. I think they are for his house or chicken coop. Eventually, I expect he'll ask me to help paint his place but we'll see. I also presented him with a much brighter light for the delivery room but it needs an adapter as it currently isn't your standard screw-in type but something else.

Dobby and I walked into town together. This is the second or third time we've done this now. She stays right at my heels, almost a little too close as I have to constantly make sure I'm not about to step on her. I think the town residents think it cute if not odd. I've tried to get her to interact with some of the other dogs but that usually turns out bad when they start growling at each other and that just leads to me being in-between two snapping dogs. Good thing I have my rabies shots.

Bought our usual couple bottle of Capris BonBon Anglais soda that tastes like bubblegum. I drink almost no water from the purifier even though I have plenty of Kool-Aid flavoring. I really should be doing that more. I've been trying to get my dozen eggs from the restaurant people but it seems every time I go by, they still don't have them. So my source for getting eggs reliably may not be so reliable after all.

It's very difficult to be honest with my Peace Corps handlers and medical doctors. I doubt they would want to hear how not nutritious my diet is but what are my options. Now that I am here I doubt they would send me home especially if I continue to appear healthy. All they would have to do to find all my rule breaking ways is read this journal/blog which no one would.

Tuesday, 4 July 2023 (141)

It may be a holiday and we may even have it off but it was just another day at the CSB for me. If I'm not here on Tuesdays, I don't feel useful. Thursday's too but they are so much slower and I can usually find some painting or cleaning up around the CSB to do. I'll take my holiday on Friday and head up to Antsirabe for an overnight.

It's the 9th or 10th day without water here. I sent a note to my program guys and they didn't have any answers - not that I expected any - just thought I'd give them an update. We did have a short flow for 20 minutes today and I was able to restock my reserves and my shower water. I've gone back to using the battery powered shower head in a bucket of water so I was able to shower today.

Told the doctor I'd like to buy some curtains but wanted him to pick them out. We went to the market and bought them and the rods to hang them with. I've still got to take them to Antsirabe and have the sewing ladies sew up the ends and create a pocket for the rod at the top.

Wednesday, 5 July 2023 (142)

Manda came over for tutoring. We went up the mountain and video interviewed David - the carpenter. I am using Manda as my interpreter and director. He'll also have to help me in the editing. I also mentioned how I'd like to help David and repaint his house - at my expense. Just needed to check on color and timing. I suppose I have just come across a familiar spirit and I'm going all in at helping. Call it my own brand of Peace Corps helping. The PC hates it when I am giving because they worry it will give an impression about the Peace Corps that they cannot continue.  And they are also not here to fund individuals rather broad strokes like health, economic development and agriculture.

We also set up interviews with the Doctor and the Mayor for Friday morning about 9am.

I think I'm coming down with something. Certainly I have the sniffles and fever.

Thursday, 6 July 2023 (143)

Nothing going on at the CSB so I started painting the windows in the room where pregnant mothers stay. Of all the things I could be painting these windows are the worst. They all have panes of glass that I either have to mask or scrape after painting. And I don't know if a conventional scraper can be found in Antsirabe.

Previous Volunteer Bella & LCF Nico

Friday, 7 July 2023 (144)

This morning Manda stopped by and we filmed the mayor. Then off to Antsirabe leaving Dobby here overnight.

Bella and the LCF Nico was there. We hung out a bit then off to lunch at a new place. I had to leave around 4pm to pick up the curtains I was having sewn. And then off to Hotel Lovasoa to get a room.

Saturday, 8 July 2023 (145)

As usual, my last stop in town is at my favorite paint store so I can take a PusPus to the taxi-brusse heading home. This time, I bought a large 20K bucket of yellow for the CSB pregnancy stay room and 3 small 8K buckets for more doors and windows. 

The taxi-brusse people wanted to put five people in our back row where only four can sit comfortably. 

It was me and three other older types back here. I paid for two seats. Then I gave a couple of the taxi-brusse guys a little money extra. I think they are starting to expect it so I shouldn't keep doing this.

Home by about noon so I went back to painting the CSB. Dobby had done fine again - this was her second more than 24 hour stays in the house. She did manage to get in the trash so I've got to puppy-proof the place better next trip. Got the first coat of yellow down on half the room. Keeping my mind busy by listening to podcasts as usual. I need a few days and more paint to get this room finished.

I had an interesting idea for the video competition the Peace Corps have invited out submissions for.

Monday 10 July 2023 (147)

Painted thru the weekend including this morning. Got four more of the CSB's of the CSB's doors done and had thought to paint the front doors when some kids came by looking for the English class. I had forgotten all about agreeing to teach some English. Turns out we had 20 kids and even the interns and my co-workers. I pulled out the 100 words cards I had brought from America and adlibbed a class. But it's too large to actually teach and be effective. I have no idea who to turn away and suggested we meet again on Wednesday at 10 when I've got Manda here to help me work through a solution and share it with these kids.. I pulled out the 100 words cards I had brought from America and adlibbed a class. But the group is too large to actually teach and be effective. I have no idea who to turn away and suggested we meet again on Wednesday at 10 when I've got Manda here to help me work through a solution and share it with these kids.

There was one young man - Salva (hard to believe he's 18) who has a good grasp on English who I am hoping to use to help me teach as well as play interpreter for me. I'd like to pay him something but don't know what the best rate might be.

Smaller CSB south of Sahanivotry

Tuesday, 11 July 2023 (148)

At the CSB to start but was asked to go with one of the older AC's (Risda) to another location where I would be giving presentations. I had no idea where she was taking me as we started walking out of town south. We passed the Mayor's house and about 1 mile further came to a small one room structure where women were bringing their infants for weighing and measurements. I gave another presentation on sanitation to maybe 10 people and everyone appeared to find it amusing. Of course I stammer thru and likely mispronounce many words but they sit through the 5-7 minutes with patience. I doubt I do any good with the content about washing hands after using the bathroom and before eating. But this is an essential of Peace Corp duties.

Sanitation Presentation Flipbook

This afternoon I met with Salva's aunt, a cousin or two and explained what I intended using Salva for. Not sure I was asking for permission or just explaining his role. Not knowing what the going rate for paying him would be, we settled on 2000ar an hour but this would not be all hours we spend together, just the hours I determined he was actually helping and not just hanging around to learn. We then went around the market and Salva and I exchanged words for various things around the market. And I finally got that dozen eggs I paid for two weeks ago.

Speaking of Manda's tutoring role - I've reversed the roles with Manda and use him for my benefit in all ways other than language. He's my translator between the doctor and other staff, he's my director on interviews, is translating them roughly into English and assists me in arranging the interviews. He's learning more from me than I from him. Language, vocabulary, and new Malagasy study hardly comes up but he is immensely helpful in making my relationships and cultural understanding much better here.  Well worth the 15,000ar ($3) an hour I am paying him and the Peace Corps is reimbursing me for.

Wednesday, 12 July 2023 (149)

Manda and Salva were here in the morning and we discussed going into Antsirabe on Friday, staying overnight and returning on Saturday. I'll have to pick up the Taxi-brusse, meals and hotel stay for Manda and plan on sending Salva back with some paint and a key to lock the paint and Dobby in the house. I'm trusting that Salva is honest and trustworthy. Though I did say to him - "If anything goes missing, I know who to suspect." 

Back to painting front and back doors of the CSB.

Thursday, 13 July 2023 (150)

I had  forgotten that we had agreed to have English class (or club as they are calling it) at 10 am until half a dozen kids turned up. It was only 8 or 9 total once Salva and his cousin arrived so there was no real need to whittle it down to four to six. I pulled out the "Sorry" game and taught the group. In the process - I had them learn the four colors - Red, yellow, blue and green and the numbers on the cards, as well as counting allowed when they moved their game pieces. It's only a four player game but we doubled up on teams. The plan is to have a one hour class on Mondays and Wednesdays. Next week I should come up with real words and phrases instead of a game. Perhaps we can alternate between games and English structure.

I had hoped to spend much of today editing or at least organizing some of the video footage I have. It's been discouraging believe it or not getting back into editing. The laptop has some real issues and I have not yet troubleshot the new desktop of its original problem keeping it from starting up.

But then the power went out and one realizes exactly how fortunate one is. Often it takes such a small loss to see the blessings we take for granted. My fallback for no power is my kindle and the solar lights. I also now have the two lights placed over the sink and stove that come on by sensor and can be recharged by USB. Fortunately I've never had to go for more than a coupler hours without electricity. And only those 10-11 days without water - so far.