Huh? You want me to do what?

Saturday evening

Knock on the door.

Unexpected visitor:Jeremie, one of our students. Nice guy. Friendly, gentle, likeable.

J = Jandré
S= Jeremie, student.

J: Hi Jeremie! What’s up?

S: Nothing much. Michelle is in the hospital. (Michelle another student, and a guy, not a girl!)

J: Really what’s wrong?

S: Emergency appendectomy! (That means they took out his appendix.)

(Note: I have been in Madagascar for more than four years now. By now I have started to figure out some things. One of these things is that when you have an unexpected visitor at night, telling you about someone who is in hospital, it only means one thing. They are in need of money. The hospitals operate on a cash basis. No money, no service.)

J: That’s bad! How is he now?

S: It seems that he is ok, but we need help please.

(Note: What did I tell you?)

J: Ahh, yes Jeremie! And how much, uhm help do you need?

S: There was “something” on the appendix and it needs to be tested.

(Note: Ok, so how much are these tests? Do I have that much cash available? Some of the questions going through my mind, for I have by now developed some understanding of the Malagasy culture, world and setup.)

S: Can we please put the appendix in your refrigerator until Monday?

J: How much? I didn’t understand?

S: Can we please keep the appendix in your refrigerator until Monday when it will go for the test?

J: Uhm… Uhhh… Huh… (At this point I pinched myself to see wether I am dreaming or not. Then I smelt my breath to see if I could detect alcohol fumes.)
                 Uhm… Uhhh… Huh… Yes but of course!

Jeremie exits.

I am still trying to recover my balance when he returns with the thing. Fortunately it was in a little cardboard box, so I could not see what was on the inside.

S: Are you not going to open it and look at it?

J: No thanks I haven’t eaten yet!