Just NB

  Disclaimer:   Attention all family members and close friends who currently suffer from any worry or concern regarding the blog author’s geographic location and working environments. The following blog post may increase those feelings and should be read with caution. In addition, the blog author is not responsible for any increased anxiety, worry, or feelings of concern. Most importantly, the blog author continues to be as prudent as possible and security is her top priority.     For those who have decided to continue reading (which I’m guessing is everyone), here’s what’s goin’ on. After a sleepless night last night, I decided that this weekend’s events bothered me enough to write about here.   But first - a few points required for some background info:   # 1. More than half of the expats here have worked in far more dangerous places, like the Congo or Panama. They ALL think that working ...

I'm one of five women here. One of one women under...fourty or fifty. The benefit of that? Whenever I go for a run in camp - If anything were to happen - if I fell or tripped - I have fifty men that are watching out for me and could come to the rescue and get me any medical attention. The bad? I have 50 men watching me as I run past their window. And at least 5 people that I run into on my way to/from supper ask me how my run was. Urgh. Once I would just like to do something without the entire world knowing about it. Or at least the entire town of Tamatave. How am I going to handle my non-celebrity status when I go back to Canada and I'm not watched every where I go?!? This blog was gettting too deep - I just had to put a random and stupid complaint in here.

Two "Pousse-Pousse" drivers taking a rest before the day gets busy Taken outside the Chamber of Commerce just after lunch Taken on the way to work

It’s possible that this weekend was one of the best weekends I’ve had in my life. It wasn’t perfect and had a few glitches (maybe I’ll write about those later) – but for the most part – it was incredible . And the part of it that completely amazes me? I’ve been here for less than a month and barely even TOUCHED the island. This experience is just the first of many, many more to come.   Okay, on to my weekend.   All project staff employed by my company (there are 4 different companies involved) were invited to a company party on Saturday. This is a big deal because most of us work Saturdays – so not only did we have the day off – but we had a party to go to!  We were told to meet at the Score (the Madagascar version of Wal-Mart) and then we were to be bussed to a local “resort” village for the entire day. For some reason – which still remains unknown – we were given matching t-shirts. We ha...

Walking along the beach at Dahatsara Village Lounging by the pool at the camp Kayaking along the river Project staff that dressed up to perform a dance. Each different color (minus their lame company shirts) represented a different province. The dance was awesome and so incredibly entertaining!

This isn't the best video...but keep in mind I was dancing my heart out! We all had these matching tshirts to wear, and somehow I got dragged up or had the guts to go up and dance with everyone at our company party. Basically, its everyone in a circle dancing away, and then one person goes in the middle and does a special dance. At one point, you'll see someone brave enough to ask me to dance and I in the middle. The video isn't really that descriptive, but just listen to the music and the noise and everyone singing along. It was so, so, so cool. I danced so, so long and it was so much fun.

The “H” Word Hate can be such a hurtful word… It can mean different things for different people… and…I’ve found out…different meanings when living in different places. Some can use the word super casually (ex: “I hate when he leaves the toilet seat up!”) or it can have serious implications (Ex: Hate crimes). Some can be offended by it, while some use it every day. So why am I bringing this up? I hate it here. You read right. I have been very apprehensive to admit this publically. But I just did. I’ve thought of using words like frustrated or resentful – but they just aren’t strong enough to describe what I’m feeling towards this place. But hold on a second – I just have to say - I truly believe that this is the opportunity of a lifetime. And that I am extremely fortunate that all my hard work as paid off (it doesn’t always for everyone) and that the advantages of this situation far outweigh the negatives. I’m worried that if I say I hate it here – that I will seem ungratef...