News from Shelly

17 July 2002

Hi everyone,

This is a group letter out to everyone to let you all know I made it to Madagascar. It was one long trip, but I made the best of it. I had a day in Paris so I pilled my two heavy carryons on and headed to town. I was going to climb the Eiffel Tower, but I was scared I would get confused on the train system and not get back to the airport in time. I went to one of my favorite places in Paris, the Notra Damm, which only took one train ride. I can look at the beauty of that building for hours. Since there was a long line to get inside I just sat outside for a while. I had been inside before and my back was starting to hurt. One thing I wanted to do was to get a good French meal. On my way to some restaurants I met a guy by the name Carmel. He told me it was cheaper to eat in the university area and that he was heading to lunch if I wanted to join him. Since it was on the same train rout as the airport, and I had 5 hours before I needed to be at the airport, I decided to join him for lunch. So much for the French meal I had been craving, we ate at the university cafeteria -- it was 100% cafeteria food. It was fun being forced to practice my French. I was actually shocked at how much I was able to speak. I have never been in a situation where I had to use it before. I had a great day in Paris. I do not know what tired me more, the actual traveling, or having to focus so hard on communicating in French. I sat next to a French person on the 11.25-hour trip to reunion that forced me to use French as well.

A few tips for traveling in Paris:

If you want to use the elevator you have to be aggressive... there is no first come first serve. It is all about shoving others out of your way or you will be the one shoved for hours. It took me about 10 minutes before I realized I would spend my entire day in paris trying to get on the elevator if I did not force my way in. I lost count on how many times I pushed the elevator button.
Do not travel with any hard objects in your carryons. they will be taken away at customs. They were convinced that I could highjack the airplane with my bike U-lock and a carabeaner that was connecting my water bottle to my carryon. I should have given them the keys so someone could use the bike lock.

I got here on Tuesday around 1pm (Washington time -- 3am). Customs were easy since none of my bags came. All three 70lb bags are somewhere between Madagascar and Paris. Paris is known for loosing bags, but usually they come within a few days or weeks. I am thankful I put the bridesmaid dress and shoes in my carryons. I have everything I need for my sisters wedding on Saturday. I just may need to buy a swimsuit before we all go to Nosy-be, a paradise island up north. Other than that I can wear my sibling's clothes until I return to Tana at the end of August to set up my classroom. They may show up today when we pick up my sister Merilee from the airport. I was a little worried about speaking Malagasy since I have not been here for 3 years. It is definitely rusty, but I had not problem using it at customs and baggage claims. It will all come back over time. I actually have not lived here for more then 4 months at a time since 3rd grade, so hopefully this year will really improve my language. Due to boarding school I was only in Madagascar a few months out the year from 5th grade up through my senior year.

Now that I am here I am not sure how I feel. I see the country in different eyes then when I grew up here. Growing up here I did not know life as being any different. There are definitely going to be some adjustments. I had five great years in Seattle where I made a home for myself. I know this is where God wants me; it is just a matter of settling in and adjusting back to this lifestyle. I am definitely going to miss my Seattle life/friends/home. I am also excited to see where this year goes and how God is going to use me here.

- Shelly (contact information )

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