Some Sunlight

Canoes wait to depart the Fort Dauphin fishing port.

Townspeople breakfast in a cafe in the Tanambao neighborhood.

The early morning view outside of Israel's house.

Written March 4, 2012
Fort Dauphin   

    As I’ve mentioned previously, Israel left his house as a place in which the rest of us Volunteers in this area could stay when we come to Fort Dauphin.  It’s free, and it’s a lot closer to the taxi brousse station than Jess’ house.  Our end of the deal was that we keep the house in good condition for Israel’s replacement, who will be arriving in September, insh’Allah.
    One thing Monica and I didn’t count on, still being relatively new to this region: under any substantial rain, Israel’s house leaks.  It leaks like a sieve.  It leaks like a child’s dam of gravel and mud.  It leaks like the containment measures in any zombie movie except Rec.
    I arrived on Friday to find his bed absolutely soaked.  I stripped it and hung up the sheets to dry as best I could.  But the water’s still dripping onto the concrete floor, and none of the bedclothes are really going to dry until we put them out under the sun.
    Luckily, the rain clouds seem to have dispersed for today, so when I get back to Israel’s I’ll see what I can do.  Tomorrow another wing of this storm system is supposed to arrive, and then it’ll be back to rain for the rest of the week.
    Still taking care of my shifts at the American Cultural Center.  It’s closing soon, but then I’ll get my weekends back.  And I got big plans for my weekends.