Following 12 hours in a taxi-brousse, 7000 Ariary stolen, and four breakdowns in a pick-up truck, I hopped out of the back of my ride and walked a triumphant swagger through my town towards home. Immediately, a group of children ran up to me screaming an approximation of my name, wanting to shake my hand. Further down the road, a market lady nudged her friend and pointed at me, asking her "what's his name?" (I count that as a warm welcome). At my house, peaches are beginning to grow on the trees in the front yard, and no one broke into my house or stole my fence for firewood in the entire three months. This, my friends, is the definition of a successful homecoming.
Before I had the chance to unpack, I had to "mivory" (attend a meeting) at the high school, at which all the teachers convened to determine this year's schedule. Naturally, this took four hours to do and employed the advanced technique of drawing a table on the board, handing out chalk, and asking over a dozen adults to run to the board and jostle for their desired position. I chose to stick with the same hours for my 2nde classes, trying to avoid a fate similar to that of Simba's father in the Lion King.
In other news, my school just joined the late 20th century! Not only did we receive money for solar panels last year, but attached to the grant was a promise from the Ministry of Education that when they were installed, they would give us some used computers. Now many months later, after essentially giving up hope, my principal told me at the meeting that we got 10 (ten) (8+2) (5x=50, x=?) computers!!! He also mentioned that we can only five at a time, but we can work that out. I might be giving a computer class on the weekends, if I can figure out how to say "start menu" and "double-click" in Malagasy.
Lastly, we have a new English teacher! She was at the meeting, but studiously avoided talking to me, looking in my general direction, considering introducing herself to her colleague, etc. So, it doesn't look like I'll be making any friends this year, but at least the two final grades in the high school will have an English teacher again. Afterwards, the principal took us all out to a "restaurant" where we had rice, beef, and vegetables, and the staff had a lively conversation. It sounded really funny, if only I understood their language. I smiled accordingly and hoped they weren't talking about me.
When we finished, I sneaked back to my house to unpack and de-cobweb the corners. Flipping my Edward Gorey calendar forward three months felt good, and I stared at it, amazed at how long I've been here. As for now, I'm back in my routine, feeling pretty good about the last nine months. More aware of my surroundings this time around, even the peach trees slamming into my roof all night can't phase me.
