Madagascar. The first thoughts.

Interesting things that have happened to me since I have been in Madagascar:

1)      I have heard two rats fight in our common room. Just imagine what you think two rats fighting should sound like…and that’s pretty much it.

2)      I watched my roommate get punched by a crazy lady. There is literally an old lady who only punches white people. At night she tries to sell herself. Very strange. Haven’t figured out her strategy yet.

3)      As usual, I have a higher than average number of bug bites on my butt. This has to do with having to hover while going to the bathroom. Guys have it so easy. Reason number 2,589,010.5 why it is awesome to be a guy. But we still get free drinks at bars…so I guess that counts for a lot.

4)      I am learning to triple kiss as a greeting (three cheek touches/kisses/whatever).

A few interesting things I’ve noticed at airports:

1)      A life size Nelson Mandela made completely out of legos. He was smiling (Johannesburg Airport, South Africa).

2)      An advertising slogan, “Love making…it all started in a latte” (Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris, France).

3)      Why do people not eat airplane food? I think it tastes delicious. And heck, I’ve paid for it!

A few shout-outs:

1)      Thank you to the nice girl at the Paris Airport who didn’t charge me for the coke when I didn’t have enough change.

2)      Thanks to the man who sat next to me on the flight to Johannesburg. You were a fantastic seat mate, even though I accidently elbowed you. Twice.

3)      To the young lady I met on the way to Frankfurt Airport – it was nice of you to show interest in my work. I think what you do is awesome.

4)      South African Airlines: I like the fact that I could sit and listen to a personalized play list on the plane. That was cool.

5)      Thank you to my credit card company for NOT freaking out and freezing my accounts when I took out money in Madagascar. I may be jinxing myself here, but I do believe that you have finally listened to me…and it only took five phone calls!

In other news, I think my dad is awesome: he has been my personal secretary during this trip and I am publicly thanking him for that and just for being cool, in general. For the record, dad, I reserve the right to revoke these statements at any time.

To my sisters. You are just awesome…and I hope you know it.

To my friends. You guys are the bomb. I love the facebook messages, even when the internet is too slow to read them. Knowing that I have friends who write to me, even when I’ve been gone for so long, is enough to keep me going.

To the people reading this who do not fit into the above-mentioned categories: You rule! Please keep reading. I do appreciate it. And to those of you who are inspired to write me emails…I will get back to you, I promise!

As final words for this post: I found out my dog back home is being put down. As a friend pointed out, he was so awesome that he will probably be taken up to Mount Olympus to be king of the dogs. That would be pretty sweet. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to his furry face. He kept me sane during my year of organic chemistry!

Oh well, that’s life. That’s all folks!

Love,

-Guess who?