Back in Madagascar Again

I'm pretty sure that I ate the ear of a pig this week. But it is hard to tell about these things in Madagascar. But that story is for another day. Today, I'd like to talk about our return to the island. We were in France and England for the past two months for my wife's work, but now after a very long plane ride we are back in Madagascar. Outside of our city, it is as lovely as ever. 

But inside of our city, we see a lot of this: trucks full of soldiers and policemen. They are there because of the crazy politics in Madagascar right now. What the heck are politics? Well, politics are all the things that have to do with presidents, mayors, governments, courts and all that.

The politics in America have been very interesting lately with the newly elected President Obama. Well, there is a new president in Madagascar too, but the new president here was not elected like in America. This new president kicked the old president out by holding big rallies and marches. Then he used the army to force the old president out of his offices and houses. The people of Madagascar have suffered through all of this. Many people have been hurt and more than 100 people have lost their lives. 

Most of the world does like the way the new president took over the country and the old president is trying to come back. A lot of the people in our city want the old president back too, so they have been having marches and rallies every day. 

These are some supporters of the old president. I may have been the only American at the rally of 5,ooo people, but there was at least one American flag as well. People started pushing and fighting at the end of the rally and that night other people began to throw rocks and fight the police.

Many people were hurt and one police officer died. The rally the next day became a funeral for the police officer.

Some of the angry protesters burn cars during the riots. This car is near our house and just down the street from my wife's office.

People also block the streets with anything they can find. The street to our house was blocked by a huge pile of stinky trash. These men are cleaning it up the next morning. 

All of this should seem very weird to you. That's because you are lucky enough to live in a country that has elections instead of fighting. And whether it is Princeton or Antananarivo or anywhere, those who are lucky should do what they can to help those that aren't. My wife and I are lucky to have a nice safe house to live in, clean water to drink and plenty of food, so it is our job to help others. My wife helps to protect the plants and animals of the island with her research. And I have started helping with the Malagasy Red Cross. I volunteer on their ambulance and teach classes about medicine and speaking English. 

There are always people who aren't as lucky as you. Please do what you can to help others.