RETRO-ENTRY: Muddy in Madagascar

Editors note: Retro-entry is a term I am coining right now to account for time bound entries that I wrote either mentally or with actual pen and paper but were unable to post at the time.

Back-story: I composed this update to family and friends while in Madagascar but my update efforts were thwarted by connectivity issues. (two words: dial-up)

Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Greetings from the Big Red Island! Madagascar is nicknamed the Big Red Island after the red clay earth that seems to get everywhere.

After a long journey I landed safe and sound in Madagascar with my luggage. The team is great and gelling. It is actually quite a fun social experiment to watch people come together and observe how quickly they (correction: we) form our own short-hand of inside jokes.

The Malagasy people are very warm and welcoming. I am learning that the only thing worse than my French is my Malagache. I do try though.

I can’t type long as this French keyboard will be the death of me--you won't believe where they put the Q. Here are a few early highlights relevant to a number of my contributors:

• Mom & Laura: The flowers and birds here are amazing. Poinsettias a story high, orchids abound and bird songs that are like music
• Julie: Rice. Lots and lots of rice. This would be your rice heaven.
• Sarah: I have been healthy so far and have not needed anything from my medication bag although I am so glad to have it and the second box of Wet Wipes.
• Lance, Jason, Jen: There is a guy on the team who speaks WOW—much better that me actually (wouldn’t take much)—so I can indulge my inner geek as needed.
• Kirk: The night-life/bar scene is sketchy above my risk tolerance but never fear, I am drinking the local brew exclusively. Three Horses Beer (THB on the street) is a nice light pilsner that comes in 65cl bottles which I affectionately, albeit incorrectly, refer to as 40’s.
• Michele: Madagascar is rife with comic sans. So much so that I am convinced it is holding the country back.

I can’t recall a time when I have ever been this dirty; I spent the day in a trench laying six courses of brick foundation (alternating with my wingman Joanna). A shower and a THB are waiting for me at the hotel… along with some rice.

Having fun, wish you were here. Thanks for making the trip possible.

Predictions and Promises

Prediction: By this time next week I will be very sore and a whole new kind of tired...but in a good way.
Prediction: I’ll see a thing or two that I’ve never seen before and might never again.
Prediction: This upcoming adventure will no doubt result in stories to regale you with later.

What I could not have predicted was the generosity of my family and friends. You stunned and humbled me with your contributions. You contributed almost 70% of the nearly $4000 I needed to make the trip. Your kind and generous contributions have made this possible and in return you have purchased a subscription to whatever updates I can ticketty-tap-tap-tap out whilst abroad.

In addition to the financial contributions you have all been very generous with the well wishes and travel advice and as a result of what I heard:

• I promise to steer clear of animals higher on the food chain than me.
• I promise to lift with my legs, measure once and cut twice.
• I promise to immerse myself in the culture and embrace the adventure.
• I promise to always travel with a buddy.
• I promise to come home safe and sound.

VelOOM, Mandra piOON
(Good-bye, see you again)

Cool Drink for Hot Daze

I think I'm in trouble. I have long been a mojito fan and just stumbled across this delicious bastardization while searching for a boozy slush recipe for the up coming Fourth of July weekend. I found this tasty marriage of the two, made a couple modification and voila...

Mojito Slushy*

2 limes, zested
1/2 cup fresh lime juice (coincidentally about two limes)
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, firmly packed
3/4 to 1 cup light rum
6 cups ice
Mint sprigs and lime wedges, for garnish

Heat the honey in the microwave just for few seconds to liquefy and pour into the blender. Add lime zest, lime juice, mint leaves, and rum into a blender and blend until smooth. Add ice to fill blender and blend until slushy. Spoon into glasses; garnish with a sprig of mint and a lime slice.

*Adapted from Tyler Florence's recipe on foodnetwork.com where he calls for making a simple syrup and using 1 cup of it over my honey substitute... I'm all like, hey Tyler I wore dirty clothes to work last week... I need to get my drink on and don't have time to eff around with a simple syrup.

I Love Big Balls

And I cannot lie.

I am screaming with laughter watching ABC premiere its newest summer filler. A primetime, reality contest show called Wipeout.

It is a timed obstacle course—frankly obstacle course is an understatement. One of the obstacles is series of four huge red rubber balls (panicked dodge ball flashbacks anyone?) and these people are taking some spectacular spills off of and pinballing down between these balls as they fall into the pool below.

Oh and to add to the humor, providing color commentary is on John Henson who served as Greg Kinnear’s successor (and quite frankly upgrade) on E’s laugh riot talk show summary, Talk Soup.

Seriously, I am laughing so hard I think I just peed a little… better get on that laundry.