So I had some facts wrong in my introductory post, and I felt it necessary to correct them.
1. There are 12 US students in the program, and we're being joined by a few Malagasy students upon our arrival in Madagascar.
2. Our flight schedule is actually 8 hours from JKF to Paris tomorrow, where we have a three hour layover. Then aboard another plane for a 10 (though apparently more likely 12) hour flight down to Antananarivo.
3. We will spend 2 days in Antananarivo. The plan is to meet some of the staff there, and visit a (rather depressing) zoo to get acquainted with some of the endemic species.
4. Our independent research is really only 2 weeks, but we will be doing preparation for it continually throughout the program.
5. Internet is available in the nearby town - about 5 km from camp. We were told to expect to get there about once a week. Not making any promises that I can post that frequently, regardless, but I'll see what I can do/what I have to say.
5b. There is cell phone service there - that seems weird to me - but it's fairly expensive, and I'm eager to be off the grid for a while, so I have no intentions of turning on my phone until I'm back in the US.
Orientation was today, (thus all the corrections) it was a lot of sitting and listening to people talk, but I'm significantly more excited than I had been before. . . which is impressive.
I feel like I should have some catchy end phrase, but I don't. Suggestions?
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Apprehensive, Not Scared.
So I've yet to leave, but I thought it'd be good to post an introduction with my prior thoughts, feelings, and expectations for this trip.
Madagascar. . . Eek. I leave for Stony Brook Tuesday, Wednesday I'll meet the 7 other students enrolled in this program, Thursday we fly to Paris. Madagascar on Friday, when we will finally arrive in the capitol city, Antananarivo. One day in the capitol, and then a 10 hour car ride to Ranomafana National Park, where we will be staying for the remainder of the program. About an hour hike from the nearest village, we'll be living in tents, taking classes, doing research, and generally being sweet. Or so I assume.
As my mom and I were rushing around today, making some last minute purchases and generally fretting over the results of my procrastination, she mentioned how scary this really is. Earlier this week someone put a good perspective on this trip, their words were something along the lines of "Get on a plane, and fly 20 hours to an island off of Africa. Then get in a van and drive for 10 hours; now where are you?"
I hadn't really thought of it this way, but yipes. That's exactly what I'm doing. And while I can point to it on a map, I don't actually know a whole lot about where I'm headed. That being said, it's clear that there is a lot of unique life and various perspectives for me to encounter, and while I can't even begin to fathom the extent of what I'm going to learn, I'm thrilled for the chance to do so.
Though I know there are certainly things to fret over and fear, I'm far more excited than frightened, and while things can always go wrong the chances of my not making it home from this trip are very slim (ie. I'll be fine, time will barrel on). I've led a very leisurely life for the past 20 years, so I'm ready for a challenge; ready to test my sanity and toughness in the wilderness (Ok, so there are latrines and showers, and the research center is a pretty nice indoor facility, but we are staying in tents. . .) - it's something I've always been eager to try. So while I am worried about the living conditions, culture shock, and the work load, I'm not frightened at all. This probably a fool-hardy approach, and one which is bound to waver over the next four days, once I've left the comfort of Pittsburgh. For now, however, I'm far more eager for the experiences and the chance to pursue a lifelong passion. Although it's evident that there are things to fear, my excitement reigns supreme.
The program is broken down into 2 sections. The first 6 weeks will be spent taking classes at Centre ValBio research center in Ranomafana National park. We're taking 3 classes, 6 days a week, 2 weeks each, studying Research Field Methods, Primate Behavior (Lemurs!!), and a 10 day tour of the country which will be coupled with lessons about the extensive biodiversity within Madagascar's various range of ecosystems. Holy cow, awesome.
The second half of the program is to be spent conducting an independent research project. The classes taken at the beginning of the program are mostly provided in preparation for our month long endeavor performing field research on the culture or ecology of Ranomafana. Our results are to be presented to the research center, and then again to, get this - embassy and government members of Madagascar. Danggg.
Ok, so crazy: Yes. Awesome: Yes. Frightening: Slightly. Life-changing: Hopefully.
Field research in the rainforest has been my passion since I was about 9. I've never before had the opportunity to so completely immerse myself in something I unequivocally love. So while my heart's racing at the thought of leaving and I've got perpetual butterflies in my stomach, my feelings as I look toward the next 3 months of my life: Distinctly apprehensive, not scared.
Madagascar. . . Eek. I leave for Stony Brook Tuesday, Wednesday I'll meet the 7 other students enrolled in this program, Thursday we fly to Paris. Madagascar on Friday, when we will finally arrive in the capitol city, Antananarivo. One day in the capitol, and then a 10 hour car ride to Ranomafana National Park, where we will be staying for the remainder of the program. About an hour hike from the nearest village, we'll be living in tents, taking classes, doing research, and generally being sweet. Or so I assume.
As my mom and I were rushing around today, making some last minute purchases and generally fretting over the results of my procrastination, she mentioned how scary this really is. Earlier this week someone put a good perspective on this trip, their words were something along the lines of "Get on a plane, and fly 20 hours to an island off of Africa. Then get in a van and drive for 10 hours; now where are you?"
I hadn't really thought of it this way, but yipes. That's exactly what I'm doing. And while I can point to it on a map, I don't actually know a whole lot about where I'm headed. That being said, it's clear that there is a lot of unique life and various perspectives for me to encounter, and while I can't even begin to fathom the extent of what I'm going to learn, I'm thrilled for the chance to do so.
Though I know there are certainly things to fret over and fear, I'm far more excited than frightened, and while things can always go wrong the chances of my not making it home from this trip are very slim (ie. I'll be fine, time will barrel on). I've led a very leisurely life for the past 20 years, so I'm ready for a challenge; ready to test my sanity and toughness in the wilderness (Ok, so there are latrines and showers, and the research center is a pretty nice indoor facility, but we are staying in tents. . .) - it's something I've always been eager to try. So while I am worried about the living conditions, culture shock, and the work load, I'm not frightened at all. This probably a fool-hardy approach, and one which is bound to waver over the next four days, once I've left the comfort of Pittsburgh. For now, however, I'm far more eager for the experiences and the chance to pursue a lifelong passion. Although it's evident that there are things to fear, my excitement reigns supreme.
The program is broken down into 2 sections. The first 6 weeks will be spent taking classes at Centre ValBio research center in Ranomafana National park. We're taking 3 classes, 6 days a week, 2 weeks each, studying Research Field Methods, Primate Behavior (Lemurs!!), and a 10 day tour of the country which will be coupled with lessons about the extensive biodiversity within Madagascar's various range of ecosystems. Holy cow, awesome.
The second half of the program is to be spent conducting an independent research project. The classes taken at the beginning of the program are mostly provided in preparation for our month long endeavor performing field research on the culture or ecology of Ranomafana. Our results are to be presented to the research center, and then again to, get this - embassy and government members of Madagascar. Danggg.
Ok, so crazy: Yes. Awesome: Yes. Frightening: Slightly. Life-changing: Hopefully.
Field research in the rainforest has been my passion since I was about 9. I've never before had the opportunity to so completely immerse myself in something I unequivocally love. So while my heart's racing at the thought of leaving and I've got perpetual butterflies in my stomach, my feelings as I look toward the next 3 months of my life: Distinctly apprehensive, not scared.
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