Life moves at a different pace here. Power is rationed. Two water heaters are on timers to avoid simultaneous operation. Compete with either and the limiter trips taking one outdoors to turn it back on. Some appliances are protected by UPS’s so you don’t always notice the power is out. Internet is getting scarcer. Last time I visited it was slow. Now it’s slow and severely restricted. Just like the electricity. Hard to say what’s worse.
Each evening, along with twenty five million inhabitants of the world’s forth largest island, we helped warm the planet. The log fire is a wonderful invention. The living room floor stays toasty for twelve hours after the embers have died down. Unfortunately, keeping the planet warm does make the air a bit smokey. Maybe more smokey than last year. I guess you get used to it. Except when the wind changes direction driving plumes of smoke back down the chimney and into the living room.
Soccer seems to be the thing this year. Super Mario Kart is being rested and Fifa 18 is in. As are daily games on the local field. Madagascar had an extraordinary run at the Africa Cup of Nations. Sometime after sunset on Sunday 30th June we heard screams and cheers and a general commotion echoing over the paddy fields. Kim quickly bought some internet to learn that Madagascar had scored a goal against Nigeria. About an hour later huge celebrations could be heard from afar. Another goal and certain victory over Africa’s largest nation. The city hummed for hours late into the night.
Hockey’s another new thing contested most vigorously at the nearby mini sports ground. Too vigorously for my old legs. I must have run more in one day than since I was a teenager. Saved only enough strength to limp up the stairs to the bedroom to rest up. Still it’s extraordinary how a decent night’s sleep can repair a wrecked human body.
There are pics I didn’t take that I should have. I didn’t get a photograph of Andy on his bike. Nor of Jem on his scooter. I think I should have tried riding these machines. Next time. I whisper prayers everyday for the riders. Be safe, guys.
Here are some pics and videos. Many taken with the iPhone. Many far from technically perfect. But it’s the people in them that matter. Enjoy!
Relatively smooth landing. After Melbourne this is like coming back to summer. It feels wonderful. We flew on an Embraer 190 operated by SA Airlink. A much more comfortable flight than the ancient Boeing 737 that brought me to Madagascar on my first visit in 2011.