Michael chatted with us this morning from his new home in Madagascar. Here are some highlights:
-Life in Madagascar is the opposite of living conditions in Niger; they currently have all the comforts of home: toilets, showers, hot & cold water (either/or but not warm water), closets, buildings made of bricks with windows, trees, rain most every day, good food, fruits and vegetables, etc.
-The place they are currently staying is a training center that is often used by other high-ranking officials for retreats and meetings; it is very beautiful, located on a peninsula jutting into a lake in which they are allowed to play with boats and canoes--as long as they do not swim in the water. There is a risk of contracting Schistosomiasis, so there is no contact with the water.
-Madagascar has lots of trees and hills. They have been doing some mountain biking for fun during breaks from their lessons.
-He is now learning the native language: Malagasy; although it is confusing to be learning yet another language, he says it is a very logical language which helps his learning process
-The people there are "small" in comparison to most Americans. Most do not get much taller than about 5'6".
-He gets paid less in Madagascar, but things are typically cheaper. He can buy a beer for about 80 cents.
-Most of the clothes available for purchase there are second hand from the U.S. He isn't really opposed to wearing second-hand clothes--except for the socks and underwear!
-There are not many roads in Madagascar so road transportation is long and laborious. The roads they do have are often washed out by the flooding that occurs when the cyclones hit. If one needs to be transported for a medical issue, they will send a plane.
The French have a big influence there which gives them access to delicacies such as Laughing Cow cheese!
Michael knows he will be posted in the northern section of Madagascar, and he will find out specifics about his post and his job in about a week. Look forward to more posting then!
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