Base

So guys, I am not sure what the reason is, but I am really starting to enjoy life here. Part of it is taking internet courses on computer science. Of course, I could do that anywhere. But here, the internet connection is dicey on the best days. Like, I am writing this offline, dicey. So it is a bit challenging just to have the chance to complete the lessons.

Another thing that is OK is that my roommate and I have come to a bit of an agreement. I buy a lot of the food and keep the kitchen clean, and he lets me by with less than half the rent. Thanks to mom's packages, we have exchanged movies. He is a good listener but doesn't like to speak about his work.

Some areas here, especially the alleys, are like, is there a war going on, bad. Lots of people her know my name. And I mean like some people whom I don't recognize shout my name as I walk. I am a bit afraid to talk about a book while I am reading it, but a sort of guru character in the book Infinite Jest says to be careful not to attract more than your own weight.

In other news, some students thanked me for teaching them at the end of the last class. It made me feel good like it sort of dissolved some anger I accumulated trying to be interesting for three months. Teaching was mostly fun, but I did sort of fall into habits that weren't so productive. So I am really happy that some students forgave me for this.

The teachers are pretty supportive. But Zoely stands out: she gives me lots of suggestions and she even lets me use her photocopies. It is great because it helps me deliver some things that the students expect.

I plan to go to Tsarasoatra later this month, to the home of one of Zoely's cousins. It is 60km north of Tana and there is a taxi bus stop within walking distance of the town. The rice harvest is coming up, but in Tsarasoatra rice is only planeted once a year so it wont be planted again until later in 2014 than I am able to stay due to my contract with the school. I plan on staying there for a part of the break in teaching from Dec 19 to mid April.

There is also wushu, which is fun in a big way. I get to listen to instructions in Malagasy. The master doesn't give us much time, but there are a few students who are leagues better than me. There is a good crowd there every weekend. We practice Saturday all day and Sunday morning. I am petitioning for a Wednesday afternoon session because a five day lapse leaves me wrecked when the training starts.