I now have a tortoise named Michael Jackson. I thought a tortoise would be a great way to start conversations with the car-cleaning guys outside my apartment, and also to invite them in to see him sometimes. I asked all of them for name ideas to give them a sense of owning the tortoise, and “Michael Jackson” was the winner. I still grin at the contrast between my tortoise and his namesake; I can't picture little Michael ever doing the moonwalk (or anything very fast)! My 3 year old host sister has also become attached to him, and takes care of him when I'm at the farm.
