Rats and Rain Oh My!

So this is my new rat trap and the book is for perspective

Hiding under my roof in the rain. 

The road in front of my house after a single evening of rain. 

An Open Letter to the Man Across From Me

Inspired by a trip on a taxi-brousse with a criminal. 

Dear man across from me, how are you?  No, I'm sorry, that is a terrible way to start what I hope will be a pleasant and enlightening imaginary exchange.  I can easily tell by the way your eyes and lips are set that today is not panning out.  Of course, there are those uncomfortable handcuffs.  Did the officers really need to tie them behind you?  After all, you are about to spend five hours in a van.  Plus, you are sitting directly opposite me and, between your knee in my groin and the smell of your breath I am already uneasy.  Maybe you could politely ask to be cuffed in front?

Then again, you are directly opposite from me and the handcuffs allow me to deduce that politeness is not a strong suit.  Why exactly are you being escorted by two jovial officers?  Do they give you a phone call?  A lawyer?  Why the life of crime?  I'm sorry, these questions are just tumbling out of me.  Or, they would be, but there's the language barrier again.  Where do I even begin?  This is such a tremendous opportunity for cultural exchange. Don't you agree?  And here I am thinking about running my mouth... 

Ah..., no, you don't.  No, I understand.  Yes, sleeping is a much wiser choice.  Before you completely give in to exhaustion though, might I ask that in the event that you do get car sick to remember there is a window.  A mess like you throwing up on me would just create one of those even messier cascading effects. 

Thanks for your time and, uh....wow, I really don't know how to end this hypothetical exchange. Sweet dreams?

Theo

Sometimes I'm Just Not Sure

Language can be confusing for me here in Madagascar.  As an example, I would like to highlight my recent adventure in translating a text message.  A gentleman at my site informed me by text to bring back a 12V battery...I think.  But, as with most anything I read or hear, there were some lingering questions.  For example, ampoly.  It's just not in my dictionary.  Though it sounds electrical, and confirms my suspicion regarding the battery, it is good to be thorough.

Enter the online "Encyclopedia of Madagascar and Malagasy Dictionary." Ominous title, yes, but it's the subtitle which I think is the kicker, "everything known about all Malagasy words."  Perfect, all should include "ampoly".  Here is where my trouble begins anew.  According to this authoritative source, an ampoly is "a shrub used to bring back deserting wives."

I feel that, one way or another, this gentleman will be very disappointed by what I bring back.

Mbalatsara!

Just wanted to quickly say hi (mbalatsara) and let you all know that I am well.  This week begins the first of several away from site as I fly to the capital for training.  This will be the first time to connect with some of the other 39 volunteers I arrived here with.  I am very, very excited. 

I promise to post several more times while I have the internet.  But, before I end, here is a link to an article someone brought to my attention.  Apparently Madagascar has the dubious distinction as the world's worst economy?! You can read more here.