Samihafa hoditry fo.

Sometimes I hate the color white. I can never get my white clothes clean, no matter how much I scrub. I am tired of eating so much rice. I am tired of talking about rice--what's going on on the farm, how much it costs. And I am tired of being so obviously white surrounded by so many non-white Malagasy faces.

People often ask if we have the same things in the U.S. as in Madagascar. Do people steal? Do people fight? Yes, bad things happen in the developed world too. One of my friends always responds with "Olo. Samihafa hoditry fo." She is saying that I am still a "Person. Just different skin." It's so nice to have someone realize this.

Other events in my life:

4AM karate has entered my exercise routine. Yes, I am questioning my sanity. Especially when I sweat so much my feet are slipping and the sun hasn't even risen yet.

Going to plant something in my backyard with a neighbor. I agreed but I don't actually know what we're planting. I didn't recognize the name but agreed (one of my bad habits) and let it go too long to ask. Mystery plant will be arriving soon.

Did not get hit by the cyclone, I apologize for those of you who were worried.

Love you all.

Leslie

Quick Update

Once again I'm in town trying to do a million errands before it is to late to catch a brousse back to my site. Here's a quick update...

Just got back from a trip to Marojejy with a researcher from Duke Lemur Center (a pretty cool place, google it). Saw lots of cool things (pictures later) and discussed possible opportunities for collaboration in the future.

Rice on the hillside isn't looking so good. We replanted with "vary madiniky" (small rice) which is supposed to grow quick so everything will be ready to harvest at once. My neighbor thinks chickens ate the rice seeds before, so we closed up the holes. I am skeptical due to lack of weeds growing there, and the fact that the hillside is not easy to climb. Will be checking on the new rice in the next few days to see if its growing.

River is super full so I've been banned from crossing. Long story. I may have found a fence builder so I can construct a garden at home but jury is still out on that.

Going on vacation to Diego next month! Should be a fun time.

Well that's it for now. I'll try to prepare a better post next time. Love; Leslie

5 Things You May or May Not Know About Me.

Courtesy of the villagers.

1. I am BIG.

This is meant as a compliment. Recently, a pregnant woman told me I was bigger than her. Also, I'm so big you won't recognize me when I come home.

2. I am WHITE.

Enough said.

3. I love beans.

Beans happen to be one of the only protein sources I find reliably at my site, so I do have them a lot. Also, it seems like people have a knack for asking me what my "ro" is on days that I'm eating beans, even if its been a long time.

4. I'm related to ALL white people in Madagascar.

A nearby volunteer is my twin. Yes, my twin passes by frequently and just drops a note without ever stopping to visit. Her family passed through on the way to Marojejy, a family of tall, blond people. I got asked about my family's visit.

5. My name is pronounced "Less-LEE."

Or "Les-i-LEE" or sometimes just "Slee." It's also spelled Lesly.

Where everybody knows your name...

Sometimes I have to wonder if the person who wrote the Cheers theme song has ever really been somewhere "where everybody knows your name." I have. Itcan be really great but there are also drawbacks. Learning people's names, which are often already difficult for me to pronounce, is further complicated by the fact that they are already addressing me by name. Not only do I feel awkward asking their name, but I am unsure of if there ever was an introduction or if I've ever even met the person before. I've learned a lot of my neighbor's names just by overhearing them over and over. After 6 months or so my running buddy asked if I knew her name. "Well, you're Ery's mom." Let it be known that this is how every knows her. It's actually Lidorice. The good news is that most people don't seem offended if I have to ask their name--I'm usually the embarrassed one. Or there's the person calling my name out of a large group, and afterwards I have no idea who to answer to. Also embarrassing. But for now I guess I'll just continue to enjoy the sounds of every small child shouting my name (or some version of it) as I pass by. No such thing as in cognito here.