We’ve talked to Rachel and Sarah a number of times over the holidays. They had a good time in Antananarivo for a couple of days after Sarah arrived, then flew to M where they spent a few days before going to two nature preserves; had marvelous weather the whole time. It was roughing it for Sarah but luxurious for Rachel because they had someone to do the cooking and all! Hiked and swam and according to Sarah, when they phoned from the beach one evening, relaxing in sarongs, “It was paradise!”

Back to M then on to Rachel’s village, intending to stay there for several days. Sarah got to meet all the folks Rachel talks about. They went from one house to the other, visiting and distributing the presents Sarah had brought–scarves, baseball caps, perfume, and candy canes. Sarah also brought a little canned ham, a bag of dressing mix, and some freeze-dried mashed potatoes for a Christmas meal. They consumed their feast at Rachel’s table with Christmas music and little red and green lights Sarah had also brought.

After less than 2 days in V, however, another PCV came to evacuate them because of flood water from a big storm (cyclone?) off the west coast of the island. Rachel says the water was up to their shins in her front yard, flooding her kabinety [outhouse] with unfortunate results. They learned first-hand why all the houses and outbuildings (except outhouses) are on stilts!

They had only half an hour to pack before leaving, but Rachel was able to put precious things up on her bed where she hoped that, if the water rose higher, they would not be ruined. Sarah was sorry to leave the village so soon, but no one knew at that point what the storm might cause in terms of dangerous conditions. In fact, best we in the US could tell from weather maps on the internet, the storm passed on up the west coast of the island and out to sea. All Rachel and Sarah saw of it was a LOT of rain.

They were brought by car to M where they spent a couple of days in the hotel, unfortunately mostly without electricity because the whole town had none. There was no fish to eat in M for the first time since Rachel has been there because the fishermen could not go out. They had good times anyway with Malagasy friends, other PCVs, and traveling vazahas [foreigners].

They did make it to Ile Ste Marie as planned and are having a wonderful time there—still today, in fact. Stayed in a “luxury hotel” [Rachel’s Christmas present from Sarah!] on the beach, with running hot water in the shower, a beautiful pool, and great food. Rachel got to SCUBA dive and Sarah to snorkel. Also rented bicycles and went to the pirate graveyard where Captain Kidd and others are buried under skull-and-crossbones headstones.

After she accompanies Sarah back to Tana, Rachel will continue on to join another PCV near the capital to make digital photographs for that PCV’s nature brochure–possible because Sarah brought her a camera to replace the digital one that had died, presumably from the damp. Hopefully there will soon be new photos to post to this site, since Sarah plans to bring back a card full as a souvenir from her trip. Sarah is also bringing back the little woven clove sachets made by Maman’ i Linda to earn money for her kids’ school fees–Sarah’s bright idea (see earlier post!).

A souvenir they bought (for Mom) is a T-shirt with a big mosquito and the words “Chikungunya capital of the world” or some such. Mom can’t wait to see it–and Sarah! Sure do wish we could see Rachel, too!