Cat, Fish and Giant Bug

We have definitely come across some interesting little animals since being here. Today, walking through the doorway into the center, I realized the ground was alive with tiny little hopping things! They were miniature frogs, about the size of crickets.

The other day, we found this large bug on the porch. He was moving along quite slowly and so we were able to take some pictures of him.

Our neighbor's cat has basically taken up residence with us since our neighbor is out of town for a couple of weeks. "Lucythecat," as John calls her, has taken quite a liking to us and I think it is mutual. John learned the important lesson of letting the cat smell your hand to know that you are okay before you try petting her.

A less lively animal I got to experience last Friday was a large carp. Our Sango teacher Marie-Claire brought over two fresh (but dead) fish: another fun cooking lesson experience she wanted me to have! So, following her example, I did my first whole fish preparation, including scale removal. It was actually interesting and kind of fun, to my surprise. I would have expected to be really grossed out by the whole thing, but I decided to just overcome my gag reflex and enjoy learning. I now feel more confident that if someone handed me a whole fish, I could make something tastey out of it.