June 14 – 15, 2016

2016 has unofficially, yet very intentionally, become my year of kindness and gratitude…and I do not anticipate it ending on 12/31. The more you give, the more you get…and it is addictive. My father always taught me to give people more than they expect and I have been consciously doing that. The return has been humbling.

I have been fortunate over the past 3 weeks while traveling through Africa to have encountered genuinely kind people with warm hearts, and good intentions. They have all been quick with a smile and a “Hello, how are you?” I was met at the airport in Antananarivo (Tana) by my new Malagasy friend, Njara Raharimanana (don’t ask me to pronounce that) and her father. I met Njara, from a new friend Ian, whom I met from a new friend Michelle, whom I met through a mutual friend. Everyone was more than willing to help me. Njara and her father picked me up in his 1970’s Renault. I have not seen a Renault since I was a kid in the 80’s but if you are looking for one, come to Tana where I estimate that no less than 50% of the cars here are like this one. It’s like a time capsule.   They took me to their gorgeous home in the countryside (over dirt roads that would make Range Rover owners in the US cringe), fed me, shared some of his God awful, violent tasting local cinnamon flavored alcohol made from sugar cane, and gave me a place to sleep. The following day Njara and her father drove me into town to help me find a hotel, then Njara spent the day guiding me around the city and teaching me some basic words, which hopefully I will remember. Her parents do not speak even a word of English and I have only chatted with Njara briefly over Facebook. This is what I’m talking about. Which reminds me…

What do you call a person who speaks multiple languages? Multi lingual. What do you call a person who speaks 3 languages? Tri-lingual. What do you call a person who speaks 2 languages? Bi-lingual. What do you call a person who speaks 1 language? American. Thanks Njara. (Sigh…)

The idea of going to Madagascar came on a whim several months ago after I had already planned to cycle around Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. Upon looking at a map, Madagascar looked so close, so why not go there…you know…if I was already “in the area”. Fazah… (Malasy for “white person”, appropriately the first word I learned).

Tana is the capital of Madagascar, with a population of about 1.3m people, and sits at an elevation of 4200 ft. It is a beautiful and densely populated city nestled in rolling hills, in the center of the island. Madagascar is the 4^th largest island in the world and it is estimated that 90% of the country’s plant and animal species exist no place else in the world. The island has only a handful of roads outside of the city, a mountain range running through the middle that creates a weather shield whereby the east side is tropical and the west arid, and with amazing coast line all the way around. Also, I heard there is a shop that sells lemurs for pretty cheap and US immigration allows me to bring back up to 3.  Why Madagascar? Because I was in the area.

Zoom, zoom

My new Malagasy family

Walking the hills of Tana

Taxi brouse.  Just a van, with a guy sitting at the back door, who opens it up for people to jump in for 400 Ariary…about $0.13. This one had 23 people including this woman.

Local market

My route, leaving on Saturday.  

This was on the tile in my shower.  It is the exact logo of the hospice that I started and ran for 10 years, even in the same purple.  Good omen?