Look who found his way to the far flung corners of our universe...

Hello family, friends, and anyone unfortunate to have stumbled onto what may prove to be a rather entertaining blog of one hell of a cool place. I am in Antananarivo (Tana) in central Madagascar, trying desperately to experience this wonderful area before I move on. 7 hours ahead of Eastern I am a bit jetlagged, sunburned, wired and tired but as excited as I have ever been to explore an incredible place. The handfull of pictures I have taken in the last two days put all of my others to shame, and I will fight to get some posted as soon as I can.
The smell of smoke hangs in the air, interspersed with fragrant vanilla bushells and the scent of life. This is winter here, and it seems brutally cold at night. Now my definition may be a bit skewed...55 at night but I am savoring my 20deg. mummy bag. There are a few TA's from the University here that will be accompanying us to Ranamafan. and I am quite sure that I have already made lifelong friends. Vaza! They yell at us from the streets and run to talk with us. I was mobbed by about 30 eight year old boys when I asked them "Afaka maka gari asafati?" (May I make your picture please?) and suddenly I was underneath them, each fighting their way to the 3" LCD. HAHA. My nickname in Malagasi means coconut...go figure. Anyways I miss you all and love you very much. Can't wait to post pics and hear from each of you.
I changed my primary email to alleviate jimlax9er confusion: get this, emailjimward@gmail.com. Couldn't be easier right. Send me an email and let me hear from you. I would love to read it when I emerge from the bush. Love from the big red rock.
Jim