The 8th Continent

Salama!

Before I received my Peace Corps assignment, I knew very little about the island of Madagascar.  I knew just enough to understand that life had given me an opportunity that I couldn't refuse!  Since then I have done my research and become more familiar with the country, though there is still much more to learn (such as the beautiful language).  To give you a better sense of where in the world I am going, I want to share some of the general facts with you.

Madagascar is an island country off of the East coast of Africa.  It is roughly the size of Texas or France, with about 22 million people living on it.  Although the island is south of the equator, it is still in the tropical belt and has very tropical weather.  Just last week on Valentines day the East coast of Madagascar was hit by a category 4 cyclone, Giovanna, which then travelled across the width of the island, causing extensive damage along the way.

The Peace Corps has had volunteers in Madagascar since 1993, with a few interruptions here and there.  Projects focus on education, the environment, health, and small enterprise development.  My work will be in the environment sector, and will most likely focus on natural resource management.  Volunteer life is wildly different for everyone and from what I hear, it is what you make it.  I am extremely excited about the potential professional skills I will gain and the unique experiences in my future.  Hopefully my work will amount to something positive and sustainable for the community that I serve.  Anyone who knows me knows how much I love a challenge.  Bring it!

Of course, the first challenge for any Peace Corps volunteer is saying goodbye to their previous life and hello to a new one.  I'm working on it!  I've also been attempting to pick up little bits of the language, in hopes that my mouth will at least be able to form the correct sounds and my ears will pick up the little nuances.  Malagasy is a very beautiful language that (from what I have read) has Bantu, Arabic, and French influences, much like the people themselves.  There are 18 dialects across the island to go with 18 distinct tribes, but the differences in the language are not extreme.  French is also a national language however it is only spoken by the highly educated and I will not be learning much of it.

The biodiversity on the island is one of the things that makes it so special.  One reason it is called "the 8th continent" is because it contains the biodiversity of an entire continent, in such a small space!  I look forward to exploring the wildlife and plant diversity wherever I end up stationed, and hopefully I'll get some great pictures to share with you!  Next time I write to you, it will be from a tropical place. . . until then, veloma!

   
   

How have I not left yet?

Life has been fast and furious over the last few months, ever since I finished my second Americorps term with the incredible Washington Conservation Corps.  I've held 3 different (and totally unrelated) jobs since then, ran a windy marathon in Bellingham and another half marathon in Leavenworth, road-tripped by myself through a fall-colored Montana and Wyoming, celebrated the delicious holidays with my family, oh my god the list goes on forever.  I am very thankful for all of the precious memories I've made with friends and family during this time, and continue to have flashbacks of some of them that I didn't remember initially (saying goodbye and making great memories with me often involves a lot of booze).  You all have given me and my liver enough good times to last at least 2 years, thanks!  And yet, to tell you the truth, I've been waiting for over a year to leave this country!  As my departure day draws near I am getting seriously excited and impatient, and I can't wait to be on that plane (with a vodka-cran in hand. . . who said the party was ending?!)  

For those that haven't heard the details of my upcoming Peace Corps service, I'm sorry that I didn't get a chance to see you before leaving!  I will be serving in Madagascar for 27 months starting on March 1st.  My position is in the Environment program and will be Forestry related, but I really don't know exactly what I will be doing.  More details to come in the future!  (just as soon as I myself know)  Initially I will be training with a group of fellow newbies in Mantasoa to learn the language, Malagasy, and about the local culture.  During this time I will likely be making amazing new friends, getting eaten alive by mosquitoes, having crazy dreams from the malaria medication, experiencing gastro-hell, playing a lot of charades with my host-family, and taking a ga-jillion photos to share with you!  I don't know how frequently I will have access to the internet, but check back for updates on my new life in the tropics and I promise that I will try to entertain you from the other side of the planet ;) 

Should you care to share your stories with me (which I assure you are extremely interesting to me, please write!) here is my Madagascar address:
                 
Michelle Manza, PCV
Bureau du Corps de la Paix
B.P. 12091
Poste Zoom Ankorondrano
Antananarivo 101
Madagascar

This address will change later on, so I'll post a new one eventually.  Even if its just a quick note, I want to hear about what you're up to!  And I promise to write back. 

Con mucho amor, Veloma!