lots of photos!

The internet seems to be cooperating this morning, so this post contains a plethora of things I've described before, but not been able to actually post pictures of. Might as well post them all together while the internet is slightly faster than glacially slow.

The first group of photos were all taken during my field visit to Ambatovaky during my first real week in Fianar. They are various facilities/sites of the very active Koloharena farming movement there. (KH is a group of farmers committed to environmentally sustainable farming/conservation of biodiversity that's been around since 1999 or so.)

Maison Koloharenaa – place where Koloharena farmers can hold trainings, have meetings, and store documents to read and share

The meeting we had in the Maison Koloharena.

Centre d’approvisionnement – Small store selling seeds, farming tools, and other needed products. This is an actual transaction happening.



Décortiquerie, rougly translated by me as dehusker/desheller - bought by the Koloharena on microcredit, enables them to sell rice as a value-added product.



Les forgerons - working making mostly farming tools, many of which are sold through various centres d'approvisionnement.



Farmer Field School, where Koloharena members have space to practice different techniques they learn of at the Maison Koloharena.





Also taken in Ambatovaky, I couldn't help but notice how happy this child was playing with such a simple toy. A good reminder of what a shame it is that American children so often play the lead role in parent/child relationships - does each 6 year old really need 30 presents to open at Christmas containing yet another video game?

A traditional Malagasy house foundation/framework.

What they look like finished.

Viewpoint along the RN7 (Route Nationale 7 - road between Antananarivo and Fianarantsoa - perhaps 40k from Fianar)

Malagasy countryside between Fianar and Ambatovaky



A famous rock between Fianar and Ambatovaky. I was having a hard time listening/retaining information after the busy day in Ambatovaky, but I think it might have some ancient writings on it - perhaps describing the location of some hidden gold. Problem is, they're too old for anyone to read. Of course, if people can't read them, how do they know it would tell of treasure???

The very steep path/road leading up into la Ville Haut - the monument in the center contains plaques recognizing all of the people who have donated to the Save the Old City Project.

An attempt to capture the very pretty moon sliver with the first stars of the evening from my porch.

Looking up at the Old City from Lake Anosy - Zoë and I went for a long walk yesterday.

Zöe


One of the SKIP members helping along with a skit.  The kids are 'microbes' and they're acting out something about water safety, which was one of the themes they learned about during their time with the SKIPs.


The very lovely dinner that Mariette invited me to on Sunday. Homemade pizza and salads, followed by her famous brownies à la mode.


Mariette et Richard (owners of the Snack (aka café))


Malalatina, one of the children that lives at the house. She was imitating something silly that Danny was doing. She likes to talk, but doesn't speak French, so sometimes she comes up to my room to say hi and we play little kid clapping games.



Theresa's dog, Aza. (like Aza fady, which means excuse me)



And now, a few pictures of crops from my Ranamofana trip. Our hike included a stroll through Tanala (Eastern forest corridor ethnicity/tribe) villages.


Banana tree



Raffia tree