http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7862495.stm
Based on Sobika, the country remains calm, despite the mayor declaring himself “in charge”. I’ll update again once I hear more…
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hfV75EHUookBtBk2OlprGZBpDTzgD9626FP00
Hi again,
So, based on the spike on my readership graph, people have been checking my blog the past few days to keep up with the situation. I recommend that you check out the sites that Ryan has posted on his blog ( http://marshinmadagascar.blogspot.com/ ), especially http://dropsmakewaves.blogspot.com/ , the blog of a former Peace Corps volunteer still living in Mada, if you want to keep up on the news. Ryan said that it seems pretty calm today in Tana, but there’s another demonstration scheduled for Saturday, so the ripples of that will determine his course of action and mine. I haven’t changed my flight yet; I’m waiting on that news. Keep your fingers crossed for a peaceful weekend and some level-headed political decisions… That’s what I’ll do.
It’s been an emotional week for me. Since before I even left Madagascar the first time, I’ve been working to get back there to pick up where I left off. To hear this news really punched me in the gut, and made me desperately afraid that I might not be able to get back. But, after much hand-wringing and pointless worrying (as I know that Ryan is safe, and I’ve heard from most of my contacts at WWF, who are also safe and waiting patiently), and a minor breakdown following a supportive hug from Ellen at lululemon this afternoon (those tears had been pricking my eyes for a few days), I’m going to be optimistic. Everyone is safe, that’s great. I know my mom’s glad that this happened before I got to Madagascar, and I guess I do have that to be thankful for. If I have to postpone my departure for a month (or two, or..?) that means I have even more time to raise funds, and less weeks to spend taking Lariam. (That reminds me, I need to call the pharmacy, who have been leaving me messages asking why I haven’t picked my stuff up yet. Yeesh…)
Anyway. Thanks to everyone who has been sending me concerned messages, keeping up on the news, and generally injecting positive energy into the past few days. I appreciate it more than I can say, really. I’m going to sweat it out at hot yoga tonight with Kim (hi Kim!!) to de-stress. I’ll pass the news along as I get it! Stay safe out there, kids.
Hello all,
I apologize for the hiatus, and it’s good to be back. I’ve been working tons, but now I’m off for three days! Unbelievable. My parents are in Florida visiting, so I’m the substitute carpool driver this week, but I shall embrace it, as it will be a bit of a different routine in Vondrozo. I’m having a hard time picturing it, actually, especially since today Environment Canada was predicting a high temperature of -15°C. I just looked at the forecasts for Tana this week, and the highs range from 22 to 29°C! Yessss.
But, not all conditions are perfect. I understand that there’s some kind of civil upset in Tana, as the mayor and President Ravalomanana are in some sort of feud. Ryan said there was looting and other such exciting activity, like burning buildings and throngs of people out and about, making noise everywhere. So I’m waiting on news, and hoping that it will all blow over quickly. I’ll keep you posted.
Other than that hiccup, everything’s going well. I’m actually laying out piles of things that I want to take with me, and shifting them around and trying to make them look smaller. I really can’t wait to get there. This whole political thing is really upsetting, though it’s only been two or three days, so it’s possible that it will end as quickly as it began. We’ll see!
Oh, and my adventures in antimalarials have been really… interesting. The doctor advised me to take Lariam three days in a row to see how it affected my stomach. My stomach was alright, but the whole “vivid dream” thing isn’t a joke, I can tell you. My nights were not very restful, but I’m sure that taking it once a week will be less intense!
Alright. As of right now, the plan is still leaving from London on Feb.12. Until I hear more news, that’s all I’ve got! Stay safe out there, I’ll be back soon.
