Changes in Latitude

After spending almost 3 weeks in a very small town 2 hours outside of the capital, Tana, I have determined that Madagascar is not part of Africa. Going through the beloved intensive PC training one more time has been quite a different experience.

1. My host family only has 5 kids instead of 10
2. I dread taking a bucket bath because it's so cold rather than looking forward to by afternoon
drenching
3. I'm forced to give technical agricultural presentations every saturday in local language and
am not allowed to use French
4. I will be working for MCC at an Ag Business Center up north on the west coast of the island
rather in the mountains trying to scrounge up projects
5. I'm surrounded by 30 tree hugging ag volunteers rather than development economists
6. I won't be the only white person in my town and could easily be mistaken for a tourist due to
the developed infrastructure in my area
7. Many Maligasy people are of Indonesian descent and don't identify as Africian
8. I have not seen one soccer match or heard one Muslim call to prayer roaring over the loud
speakers

Adjusting to these changes has been difficult and amazing at the same time. Molly, a Guinea G9 small enterprise development (SED) volunteer and I are the first SED volunteers in the history of Madagascar PC. We will be charged with helping to develop this SED new program. But first we must finish training and work in the field to gain experience in Madagascar.

As they say in Guinea, if God wills it, I will be at my site in 4 to 7 weeks. Rumors are that my site will have electricity, cell phone service, internet and possbily running water. If, a big IF, this is true, I will probably get a cell phone and hopefully catch-up with so many of you that have been almost strangers for the last year. I will keep you updated as the adventure continues.