Life on Site

Because I faithfully guard Janis's room from intruders and leaking pipes (the Fennster and Fernandez have no such guardians and suffered a most unfortunate room flood as a result) , I have not been party to what life on the site is actually like. So I must rely on Janis's observations and stories that she relates back to me. From what I can tell site life can range from boring to fun, to hilarious and absurb, and occasionally sad. This week Janis was busy with the following:

1) Getting ready to give some training - which she will likely not enjoy due to her dislike of speaking in front of peoples. Perhaps people would enjoy it more if given by say a spitting camel - just a suggestion:)

2) Discovering the gym treadmill as she also discovered the cookies purchased for the site team in Tana and has eaten quite a few. The Fennster and Fernandez swear that some taste like gasoline but that did not stop the Fernandez from enjoying the cookies as can be seen from the picture.

3) Trying not to drown in red mud - Cette semaine il a beacoup plu. As you can see from Janis's picture, rain gear in bright neon colours are required on such an occasion.

4) Eating a traditional Malagasy meal - poulet avec coco, which was delicious - in Moramanga with some of the team. Moramanga is a bit of a shock after being on the site for weeks because suddenly there are people everywhere. And our driver seemed to know most of them. The Fennster, Fernandez and Janis amused themselves for a few minutes by trying to remember how to say "many" en francais only to realize they all knew since everyone but Fernandez can say "merci beaucoup."

5) Looking at the bright stars from the window of the car on the ride back from Moramanga to the site. Because there are no lights, the stars are visible and bright. It was one of the prettiest things Janis has seen since she arrived. It was also cool to see the site lights from a distance, glowing behind the hills which looked a bit like an alien spaceship had landed.

6) Experiencing Saturday night rugby between the Springboks and the Wallabees at the Leaning Lemur bar. Of course, she cheered for the Springboks - who won. Those that know her well know why she did that.

7) Missing her basset hound, Guggie, who was a wee bit sick this week. There are many dogs that hang around the site looking for food, including a smart one that knows to go to the Lemur where kind-hearted people feed her table scraps. It makes Janis sad to see the dogs with no owners who might starve to death if they can't find anything to eat.

8) Laughing hysterically at Fernandez's emails to American Airlines in an attempt to reclaim the miles he is owed for his flights to Madagascar. The responses from them so far have been to quote "inexcusable and insulting".