Ambalona

On the 26th,I visited a school in Kelilana, which was the first school that Hope for Madagascar helped. We got to see the small library (apprx. 25 books), which was cool. The students sang and danced for us and gave me a Malagasy hat and vest. I am now in Ambalona, a village of about 1,700 people. All of the kids are very happy, and I’m having a good time. We climbed up a waterfall today, and on our way back we got to look at a rice field. We also got rice that is still in its shell to show my class. Tomorrow morning a woman is going to show me how to pound the rice to de-hull it. I’m becoming better friends with the kids from Antananarivo, as well as getting to know the kids from Ambalona. All of the kids are amazed to see an American child and they follow me wherever I go and watch everything I do. It’s making me a bit uncomfortable to be stared at all the time, but I’m still having fun with them. I’ve spent hours throwing those little, tiny, squishy, thin footballs (that say CU Buffs, Boulder, and Pasta Jays on them) around with the Malagasy kids. I’m doing pretty well teaching them to throw a spiral, which they all enjoy.Veloma (Goodbye), Nathan

Today I hiked in the rainforest!!! I got to see brown lemurs play in the tree, which was adorable! There were awesome plants, like this one that was a like a snake, called the strangler, and it was strangling another tree. My mom had a leech put on her hand, and it grew as it sucked her blood! As grotesque as it sounds, it actually cleaned her bloodstream. It is raining now, as it does every afternoon (early morning for you is afternoon for us). There is a photo of the kids from Antananarivo wearing Mike’s, Alannah’s, Summer’s, Lillie’s, and Zach’s t-shirt. They are kids who go to my school. Everyone else’s shirts will be worn by kids from other villages that we haven’t been to yet but we will get to those villages soon. I’m having a great time in Madagascar!!!!! In the bottom photo, you see us pointing to a sign. The name of this town means Boulder

I'm typing on a very confusing French keyboard in Antananarivo. I'm having fun learning a new language. Malagasy is really cool!! We are picking up 4 orphans from here and driving to Antsirabe. goodbye from africa. nathan

PARIS

I'm in Paris!!!!!!!! I've been looking around and it is an amazing city. The buildings are all a beautiful tan color, which makes the black tower of Notre Dame stand out. I've climbed up the towers of Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Eiffel tower, which is 8740 km from Antanarivo, Madagascar (see photo- I'm pointing at the Malagasy flag and next left of it says Antanarivo and below that is 8740 km). Unfortunately, you aren't allowed to take the stairs up to the third floor of the Eiffel Tower, you have to take the elevator. The Eiffel is even more beautiful after dark, when it is lit up blue. The disadvantage of going after dark is that the stairs are closed, and we had to take the elevator down, to my disappointment and my moms relief. I thought the Arc de Triomphe was a good view. Thats nothing compared to the Eiffel. The Arc de Triomphe was ornate, beautiful, and an amazing view of both the Eiffel (see photo) and the rest of Paris. I've also been to the beautiful, grassy Luxemborg gardens, and the Pantheon, that has amazing carvings and an awesome dome. The art at the Louvre and at the Rodin museums is stunning!!! Paris has a calm ambiance and it is awesome.

Joan and Fanja at Denver International Airport

Denver International Airport

It is the day before the first leg of our journey. Tomorrow, 11/18/2008, we leave for Cincinnati. We are done packing, and eagerly await departure. We attempt to contain our emotions, but inside my mom and I can't wait for tomorrow. Madagascar is going to be an amazing place. It'll be like a whole different world. We are going during the rainy season, when it rains every day and the lemurs are out. There will be no electricity, or running water in some of the smaller villages, which makes it somewhat scary. Not all of the places we visit will be like that, Antanarivo has over 3,100,000 people, and Tulear and Antanarivo have airports.