Roadkill
by Ethan Lee
July 15, 2005

The two hardest daily assignments, by majority agreement, are the savanna + frag assignments, and roadkill.

Roadkill is considered the hardest by most because one completes a days walking of 25 kilometers (12 miles) in 7 hours. Comfortable footwear and water is a must, as in my experience, I had to endure athlete’s foot and heel blisters for my continuing time here at Madagascar. Are the blisters on my heels still called athletes foot? … Anyway, plenty of water should be brought, 2 liters is a good amount to bring if you get thirsty quickly. On my trip, my group found a panther chameleon. All chameleons on Madagascar walk like a leaf: that is they sway back and forth for every step to resemble a leaf blowing in the wind, pretty stealthy when in trees, but a wager of death when you’re on the black asphalt. Just a little farther up the road, we found one who did not survive the trip across.

The Savanna is a vast sand and shrub cover area that used to be dry deciduous forest just like JBA. But due to deforestation and soil erosion, it is now exactly what it is named. A sparse amount of trees dot the geography of the area, and they are all that remain of the savanna’s once greener color. The shrubbery, or bushery to be more exact, are like cacti, and seem to survive on very small amounts of water. The seeds they produce are reminiscent of wheat, as in the seeds could be easily reaped and broken open. Near the 30 year old grand canyon is a wooden radio tower, out of service but still functional. A good place to sit and watch the sunset.