if a man doesn't love you, eat more rice

Hello Lovelies!
The title is a fabulous tana-ism from our taxi driver today.
We have spent our first week officially in Madagascar. We arrived jetlagged and a bit crazy, but luckily Christie and her pals took care of us. We stayed in the capital Antananarivo (tana) for a few days getting ourselves acquainted with money, language, customs, directions etc. Since the coup, most foreigners were evacuated so we are some of the only whities around. Since this was a french colony there are some french travelers/workers around. I barely got into the country since I had filled my passport, so terra and i made our way to the us embassy to see if we could have pages added or apply for a new one. They were able to tape in a new section officially, but it makes my passport look really sketchy, oh well it works!
We went to visit an eco orphanage (akany avoko, read more about it here: http://www.akanyavoko.com/) and have set up a workshop there for next week using photography and communication skills to build self esteem.
This is very much a developing nation which is reeling from political strife, lack of an economy and over population. One minute it is heart wrenching and overwhelming, the next beautiful and sublime.
We left the city to see some of the more lush areas of the country.Christie, terra and i headed out to Antsirabe where we hiked out into the forest to watch indiri lemurs, chameleons, and other creatures. It was amazing! All though there were these tiny leeches (the size of inch worms) that we had to be wary of. Sometimes they crawled up on your shoe to your leg, and sometimes they leapt from trees onto your head. Thats when you know you have good friends, when they are willing to check you for leeches. In the next few days we will head out to the hot springs of Ramonofana park, and the Avenue of the Baobabs (just like home!).
I hope this note finds everyone safe and sound!
Love, tibora