There was also a nice breakfast, which us poor PCVs appreciated. The event started at 5 a.m., since Madagascar is 8 hours ahead of Eastern Time in the States. We learned that Barrack Obama won enough votes to become the president elect of the United States of America around 7 a.m. I found McCain's concession speech to be well-spoken and handled with grace and Obama's to be downright moving. Many of the Peace Corps Volunteers were in tears!
Although I sometimes find myself wishing that I could be in the States right now to witness these exciting times, I have found experiencing the presidential election from Madagascar to be memorable as well. Many of the Malagasy people were surprisingly in the know about the election. I say surprisingly because the only news I can get is BBC, sporadically, on my shortwave radio. After the results came in, there were as many Malagasy cheering as there were Americans. Not only is Obama bringing hope to Americans, he is bringing hope to the most remote corners of the world.
1 comment:
Hi! My name is Angela and I'm a RPCV from Mali, W. Africa. I am writing you because my friend is moving to madagascar in Feb. to set up the first chiropractic clinic. He is really excited but knows no one and doesn't speak the language. I told him I would see if any PCV's would be interested in being in contact with him for some in's and out's. I was particularly excited about your blog because you went to Purdue...so did he (although I went to IU, I won't hold it against you). He majored in nuclear engineering and now he's a chiropractor. Anyway-if you would be at all interested in helping out, my email is angela.lucterhand@gmail.com and his nonprofit website is www.journeytosolidarity.org. Let me know.....thanks so much.
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