Trang (oxford brookes student) and her Madagascar student arrived a couple of days ago and we went on the lookout for a cheaper/nicer hotel/hostel. We found one! It even has a pool, a fan, warmish water, and INTERNET. We were so happy to find this place and to get a good deal for it. My student arrives tomorrow. Then I'll be paying for 2 of us. Not too happy about that, but that's the governments law for researchers. So much has happened that I don't even know where to start. I guess I'll just start by telling you random things I've observed/heard over the week.
1. I sat on a full bus with a lady breast feeding her child inches from my face.
2. I heard there is a 'sasquatch' creature in Madagascar
3. I keep seeing Malagache people wearing Ohio State jerseys (charity clothes).
4. I got to see Mandena's forest!
5. I was told that if I touch a Malagache's head that it is very bad and I have to sacrifice an oxen to them. The blood is used to rub on their head to 'clean' it.
6. I was told to call everyone 'my friend' and to never ever point at anyone.
Now about the government and the forest.
I have not done a mining tour yet of the site, but I hope to. It's huge. Unfortunately that means that the forest is now small and because of that local people have told me that it doesn't rain as much anymore. The mountain that local villages use to cultivate land is becoming bare because the rain doesn't come enough to regenerate it. Of course I just spent a year reading articles/books and listening to lectures about this, but to get here and to see it for myself is a different story. It is quite sad. The President was exiled about 3 years ago. They put in a transitional government that was supposed to last 18 months...its now been 3 years. The government (rumors that I've heard) only likes money and doesn't care to support poor people thus is exporting rose wood ( a popular tree here used to make furniture ) and minerals to a few countries (one is China).
Now on to Petriky (my site).
I was told that sometimes there are zebu bandits (cattle thieves) and that I have to be very careful to not run into them. :/ SCARY! My guide will speak a bit of English which is great news! We will also have a cook, but bush food = rice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I'll be very happy to come back to Fort Dauphin to have a change of food! Trang and I are planning a trip to visit Berenty in June and then also a trip to Ste Luce on World Environment Day. There are about 1000 locals who come and I've created some posters about lemurs and the forest to show them. I'm excited to meet them. Giuseppe (my supervisor) will also be around. That will be a good break between collecting data for the month of may and then in again in july.
Sorry this is so long!!!! I feel like I haven't talked to anyone for awhile :)
miss and love you all xoxo
1. I sat on a full bus with a lady breast feeding her child inches from my face.
2. I heard there is a 'sasquatch' creature in Madagascar
3. I keep seeing Malagache people wearing Ohio State jerseys (charity clothes).
4. I got to see Mandena's forest!
5. I was told that if I touch a Malagache's head that it is very bad and I have to sacrifice an oxen to them. The blood is used to rub on their head to 'clean' it.
6. I was told to call everyone 'my friend' and to never ever point at anyone.
Now about the government and the forest.
I have not done a mining tour yet of the site, but I hope to. It's huge. Unfortunately that means that the forest is now small and because of that local people have told me that it doesn't rain as much anymore. The mountain that local villages use to cultivate land is becoming bare because the rain doesn't come enough to regenerate it. Of course I just spent a year reading articles/books and listening to lectures about this, but to get here and to see it for myself is a different story. It is quite sad. The President was exiled about 3 years ago. They put in a transitional government that was supposed to last 18 months...its now been 3 years. The government (rumors that I've heard) only likes money and doesn't care to support poor people thus is exporting rose wood ( a popular tree here used to make furniture ) and minerals to a few countries (one is China).
Now on to Petriky (my site).
I was told that sometimes there are zebu bandits (cattle thieves) and that I have to be very careful to not run into them. :/ SCARY! My guide will speak a bit of English which is great news! We will also have a cook, but bush food = rice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I'll be very happy to come back to Fort Dauphin to have a change of food! Trang and I are planning a trip to visit Berenty in June and then also a trip to Ste Luce on World Environment Day. There are about 1000 locals who come and I've created some posters about lemurs and the forest to show them. I'm excited to meet them. Giuseppe (my supervisor) will also be around. That will be a good break between collecting data for the month of may and then in again in july.
Sorry this is so long!!!! I feel like I haven't talked to anyone for awhile :)
miss and love you all xoxo
No comments:
Post a Comment