Les Hautes Terres Hotel Antananarivo

Benjamin had a car and driver waiting for us early in the morning at the hotel to take us to the airport. There was a huge line at the Air Madagascar ticket counter. Took us a while to figure out that the agents were there but not taking anyone! They finally opened up and we checked our bags. Total confusion boarding the plane as it was ...

... lemur. At night we get to see Brown mouse lemurs and camillions. We stayed in these neat bamboo bngalows in the middle of the jungle. - From the nature reserve we went to Ambalavao where we stayed at a hotel that has a paper making factory attached. We went for an afternoon at a small community run reserve where we got up close with some ring-tail lemurs, many with young. They didn't seem bothered by us ...

... fully expect never to see Mr. Florent ever again. Everything, besides the bustling street market, is closed as it is Sunday but the streets are packed with people. I quickly realize that I'm the only white person around and apparently that makes it quite alright for little kids, mothers and young men alike to harass me for money and/or offer me various **** I don't want. For some reason almost every person is offering me marijuana... I ...

... out: that is for your grave. The surrounding walls were built from egg white of which parts are still original. The center pole is made of one piece of wood, carried there by 2000 slaves, of which 100 did not survive. Lots of slaves were sacrificed in the palace. The guide shows us where. I think: 'vivid imagination: I think I smell blood.' But, no, Zebus are still regularly sacrificed here. The people think the king is still in the palace. I enjoy the ...

It's been one month since the cyclone hit, almost one week since my dad visited, and about one hour since arriving back in my town, after traveling for training and vacation. I still don't feel completly settled. Lack of sleep and living out of a suitcase for a month contributes to that, as well as not being able to move into a house. I have found a new place, however, or as the owner describes it "a really small ...

... realized it was just the eye that had passed over. The wind picked up again, but had changed directions. The ocean was flooded over the street and pieces of roofs and siding was flying by. At 3 in the afternoon, the wind had ebbed enough so a few people were on the streets. I was dying to see our house and if it was still intact. I convinced T to walk with me there, it's usually only takes 5 minutes. About 3 minutes into the ...

... up at the steaming coast in the southwest. I flew back to Tana last night, leaving them with a two day drive to get home(merci, vous ettes les plus jauntils mecs en madagascar!) I started my trip staying at a beautiful old restored bungalow in Tana and ended by staying in the ghetto. What a big change from India. First, there is no honking and hardly any cars. There are rickshaws in many towns that are powered ...

... my case. I am going to an island near here for Christmas vacation. I am pretty excited since there will be about 10 people from my stage (training group) going. 2 of them are coming to Antalaha first and we will taxi brousse 40 hours to the island. A taxi brousse, if I haven't already explained, is a van that is designed to fit about 12 to 15 at most. A normal taxi brousse will usually cram about 20 to 25 people on it. And at least 5 will be throwing up because the ride is so ...

... me and I said that I miss them too. It's so quiet without all the kids! Anyway, tomorrow we will go to Jumbo where I can stock up on stuff like powdered milk and toothpaste. I talked to Aunt Beth and Jen today (thanks for calling Jen ;) and it was so good to hear from them! I also went to the Peace Corps office and got the giant box from Britt, 2 packages from M and D (with the MP3 player, shirt, and ...

... have some serious muscles after 2 years! As I mentioned earlier, our house sits on a large hill. Our doors face the sunset (which is beautiful beyond the mountains) and in the morning we watch the fog as it clears out of the valley below. Oh- the stars at night are amazing and the Milky Way goes right over our house- amazing! The people are so friendly also and I can't wait to improve my Malagasy so I can communicate with them more. We have electrictiy ...