Here we go, life's waiting to begin

July, 19, 2008
(Thinking about the next 2 years)
From the Journal of Derek Rury

There has been a lot of talk about our sites and what the next two years prospectively will bring with site visit nearing and training rocketing towards it’s final stages. People have expressed their concerns about loneliness at site because we have all gotten so close over the past 5 weeks. But I have no doubts that everyone will readjust to their sites just as they adjusted to life here in Alarobia. But there is a necessary amount of courage needed to move to an area where there not be a single familiar face and where people will hardly understand a word you say. And with that courage comes adventure. Since I am going to a new Peace Corps site, I may be the only American, or even foreigner living in my town. I, also, may be the first American to set foot in Beloha. I am also the furthest member of our stache from any other member. Although I may sound silly calling myself a pioneer, there is an inevitable, unique feeling of discovery attached to this situation. Let’s hope I’m up for the challenge.
It is very exciting thining about site visit and ultimately instillation down in Beloha. One of the main reasons is that Beloha is located in what is widely regarded as the most unique region of Madagascar with an equally unique culture and dialect. I have heard that the Antandroy dialect is almost a completely different language than Malagasy. That’s great for me, considering that I do not have a dialect teacher here in training. But I’m not worried. Not having a lot of information is party of the adventure. But from what I do know, the Androy region of Madagascar is generally considered to most “authentic” African part of the island. One volunteer fondly referred to is as “real Africa”. The type of Africa where tribe members pop out of the bush, brazing spears and donning nothing but loincloths. But Madagascar is not universally considered part of Africa. We were told that the Malagasy people are often offended when they are referred to as being “African”. Not what I was expecting when I was assigned here. But cultural adjustment is not an issue I plan on needing help with. I relish the idea of going to the most rural, under developed, culturally and linguistically unique part of an island that is already all of those things itself. Well, let the adventure begin.

The Adventure - Angels and Airwaves