Tamana ve?

I'm constantly asked if I feel 'Tamana' at my site or in Madagascar in general. Tamana simplified means to feel comfortable. To me it means to feel integrated, happy in the community, comfortable with the culture, have friends, and like the food all encompassed into one word. I realized after I got back from MSC in May, I finally and proudly feel tamana. 

I feel comfortable in my community and know where all the interconnecting roads go while recognizing people along the way (again I live in a pretty big town of 15,000 people). The language clicked and I can understand most of what is being said as well as get my point across on more abstract ideas. I've gotten to the point where I crave vary sy loaka (rice and meat/vegetables) and enjoy the taste of ranon'mapango. This is a hot beverage that's drank towards the end of a meal made from the water of the burnt rice in the pot. 

I don't mind waking up to the sound of roosters, Vola sifting rice with the sahafa, or the compound kids running around. I like when CSB visitors stop by my house to say hello. I get invited to community events and invited into choreographed dances performed at these events. If I'm bored I can crochet with the CSB staff or visit friends such as Vola, Rosety, or the ACs. 

I love my work and working with the ACs. I believe in my projects and look forward to house visits and trainings. I've reached the point where if I could choose sites all over again, I would pick my own. There have been many ups and downs throughout service but I feel more resilient. I've been asked countless times since I arrived in Madagasar a year and half ago if I feel tamana. I can now say that I truly do feel tamana tsara. 

You know you're a PCV when

-you automatically read the @ symbol  as 'amin'ny' in Malagasy

-you steal soap from hotels to use for washing clothes