Life is a Choice

I was talking with my roommate about how slow our life is now. As compared to my life in the states before, my life could almost be going backwards now. I don’t even know how I used to do it all. Balancing 3 jobs at 30+ hours a week, 15-17 units of school as a biochemistry major, a sorority, a boyfriend, a cat, family… the list just goes on and on. I also somehow had to squeeze homework and sleep in there. Nowadays life consists of hanging out with friends or having them over for dinner, reading books, running, cooking delicious food, and just sitting. I find myself not doing anything sometimes and being okay with that. Before I always felt like I have to be productive and if I wasn’t being productive then I was wasting my time. I have come to truly appreciate the Malagasy approach to a slow life. Life on the continent of Africa is generally known to be slower than typical daily life in the US. And here in Madagascar I think it’s even more exaggerated since it’s also an island. So not only is it African life, it’s African island life. If something says it starts at a specific time, add at least an hour. And if you want to have a meeting, just know it’s not going to start on time. 

But why is this? In the US we perceive this as being disrespectful because we place a value on our time. Here it’s considered the opposite. You are respecting others by stopping to chat with friends or family on the way to a meeting even if you will be “late” for your meeting. But remember late is also relative! Here you are considered on-time as long as the hour hand hasn’t change. So if something begins at 3pm you have until 3:59 to be there on-time. This is because taking care of family and friends is considered more important than a meeting or your job. If your child is sick here, it isn’t even a question whether you take the day off of work or not… you just do. And if you’re walking and trying to get somewhere you have to plan to stop and talk to people. My roommate, who doesn’t know Malagasy, can walk across Ambondrona in a few minutes because she can’t stop and talk to anyone. I on the other hand take at least 10 because inevitably I run into a few friends and have to stop and ask how they are doing and what’s new. 

I have learned to love this lifestyle. I rarely, if ever, have to tell someone that I can’t talk because I have to be somewhere “on-time”. I will admit that at first I was frustrated by this different concept of time. Being transplanted from the go go go life of the US into a village in Madagascar was hard. What in the world are you supposed to do with all of that time?! With no phone or technology at first it was a challenge. And if you know me well you know I normally try to pack as many things into a day as I can. I first learned you sleep with that extra amount of time. It was wonderful. And second I learned you enjoy the little things in life. You don’t have to take time to stop and smell the roses if that’s how you live your life. 

Life has definitely picked up since I arrived in Madagascar. I of course have paperwork that needs to be done, and to-do lists unfinished. But I’m no longer stressed about these things. It’ll get done and it’s not worth making life miserable to get all of these things done. And I came to the conclusion while talking with my roommate that I don’t ever want life to go back to the way it was. And this comes down to the daily recommitment to choosing this kind of life. It may not be easy everyday, but I never want to get to the point in my life again where I prioritize work over relationships or sleep. 

I see too many people who think that “one day soon life will slow down” or “maybe someday I won’t have to work so much”. If you ask me, these are all excuses that keep you from truly living life. If you truly want something you’ll find a way to make it happen. And if you really aren’t committed, you won’t. It’s that simple. If life is too chaotic, cut something out. I’m not saying it’s easy, but maybe that’s what needs to happen. And if you want to travel somewhere, find a way to make it possible. Time keeps going, and quickly if you live with the American ideal of time, so I challenge you to make the life you dream of, but start it right now. 

Erin’s Coconut Banana Bread

One of the things I have picked back up in my free time is cooking. I love all kinds of cooking, including baking. So I’m hoping to share some recipes I’ve modified to fit Peace Corps Madagascar life. People always wonder what in the world I eat out here, and to be honest I eat pretty well! I have to be budget conscious since the tiny allowance we receive doesn’t go far, but I think I’ve got the hang of it. I also do get lazy some days so peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are sometimes a thing, but for the most part I enjoy using the ingredients I have access to so I can eat food that reminds me of home. 

So for my first recipe I’ll share my Coconut Banana Bread recipe I’ve managed to put together. It’s inspired by the Flour Bakery’s recipe I found on Food Network (here). Flour happens to be my favorite bakery in Boston! And although it’s an amazing recipe for plain banana bread, I have a feeling with the recipe I have below, you’ll never make just plain banana bread again.

When I make this here in Madagascar I like to use fresh banana varieties you can’t find in the states, fresh Madagascar vanilla, and I even shred my own coconut and make my own coconut cream, however I know back in the states or from wherever you may be reading this that you may not have access to those things. So just for you, I have made this with canned coconut and regular bananas and it still turns out delicious. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Erin’s Coconut Banana Bread

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 cup coconut cream

1/3 cup oil

3 1/2 bananas, mashed

2 Tbsp yogurt (greek preferable)

1 tsp vanilla

1 c shredded coconut

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Sift flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt together in a small bowl. In a large bowl beat the sugar and eggs together for 10 minutes by hand (less I'm sure with a powered mixer, but you want them very light and foamy). Add in the coconut cream and beat for 1 minute again. Add the oil, beat again, add the yogurt, vanilla, and bananas. Slowly add in the flour and lastly add the shredded coconut. Depending on the pan the time will vary, but bake until a knife comes out clean. In a bundt pan in a horrible oven it's 30-45 minutes.

Above: An ambozo - the device I use to extract the coconut flesh
Right: the fabric coffee filter I use to extract the coconut cream