So many days ago we drove to the next stop on our trip. Our guide Diary, had to leave for a fasmily emergency. Spoiler, everything is ok and many days later he rejoined us. The driving days are long, often the roads are lucky to hit 60 km/h before more potholes appear. You can’t even stop anywhere for photographs without children appearing out of the middle of nowhere. They are all very lovely kids, and we’ve been smuggling extra croissants out of the hotel breakfast to hand out as well as anything else we can find. Nothing is ever refused and all so grateful.
Our last stop of the day was for tea/coffee and we found a spot where the views were great. Like anywhere else we’ve stopped children have appeared from nowhere. A couple of the boys had chameleons to show us. Of course they often do these things for something. They usually ask for money, but food, water or even some donated clothes handed out brings a huge smile to their faces.
The next day we had a visit to a small town called Soatanana. We were going to photograph the procession of people dressed in white to go to their Sunday church service. The 3 hour bumpy road though made me very nauseus. I was nearly sick, but soldiered on. It was the worst 3 hr stretch of road I’ve been on. We arrived and were draped in white to take part in the procession. We walked down the street and my legs started to wobble. I was not very well. I had to sit down and later lay down. I missed the service, but did hear the harmonious singing from where I was laying down.
Some may suggest my life of sin led to an act of god to stop me from entering such a holy place. The locals though came to see I was alright and were genuinely concerned for my health. Some anti nausea medication got me back to our hotel. The Madagascan people are for the most part some of the most genuine kind people I’ve ever met. Mauritius was the same, its a shame more people don’t visit ghese countries. Its definitely had moments where i’ve been overwhelmed, I’ve seen poverty, but also seen communities in poverty helping each other out and working as a community to lessen that poverty.
Justin, hope you have recovered from your bout of sickness. Your holiday so far has been fantastic.