Thursday, January 8, 2009
Madagascar
Hi everyone - I'll try to make this post at quickly as possible. It's been a tough day or so here but I'm starting to figure things out. My flight from Nairobi was delayed yesterday which didn't get me into Tana until around dusk. I ended up getting a pretty nice view of the city and it's pretty beautiful on the outskirts. Coming in I saw a lot of green, mountains and rice paddies. The city is build on a series of hills so walking is pretty labor-intensive. The drive from the airport to the hotel was okay - odd to say but Tana is less developed than Nairobi and I have to pause for a minute to understand what that means - much more poverty and much less sense of order, if you can believe it. My hotel is decent and the man at the front desk speaks English. I got out this morning and walked around aimlessly for a few hours. No streets are marked or if they are the names are always changing. It took me a few hours to find this internet cafe and I could swear it is very very close to my hotel. Maybe better luck getting back. I had a setback last night when I learned the bus service I had considered taking to Fianar was closed. So my only option now is a 10 hour taxi-brousse ride, which is a public transport vehicle that is usually crowded. But I kind of feel like I really need to find an American who knows his way around and who can speak my language - so I dont have much of a choice in taking the taxi-brousse tomorrow. Plus, I definitely want to get out of Tana. I stopped in at a random tour office and the man comes from Fianar so offered to try to help me out at the taxi brousse station. Said he would call tonight. If he does not call, I will just have the hotel staff speak with my driver to the brousse station and let him convey what I want and where I want to go . . . it's definitely outside my comfort zone of organization and order, but I really want to get to Fianar and work with Gabe there to determine my next steps. I'm hungry and hot and am going to get something to eat and hopefully find my way back! Take care everyone.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Keep writing. Madagascar worries me. I wish you had more of a support structure there. Thinking of you. Do you want me to find an online translator tool for you? So you can ask for critical things you need in the native language? (Maybe you have something like that already.. or the hotel guy helps you...) ... Anything I can do.. let me know baby girl.
ReplyDeleteStay safe and enjoy your experiences. Life is beautiful.
All I was able to talk to Ann and things have worked out. She was able to hook up with some South African's and the brother of the coordinator of the peace corp in Madagascar. So, they have helped her with her plan for Madagascar and travel. Good news on all accounts. If anyone does want to call her, let me know and I can give you her #. She is 9 hours ahead east cost time. Feel free to email me at tackerly@deloitte.com
ReplyDeleteAre you going to be able to watch the Ravens game this weekend? It's on CBS.
ReplyDeleteTalked to ann today and every went ok with the taxi. She is in fianar.
ReplyDeleteHi everyone - sorry I cannot post a comment - I am writing from an internet cafe in the rainforest! Ill write more when I am in a better place, but my luck has changed extraordinarily. I made my way via taxibrousse to fianar to kind of being lost again. I randomly ran into an American in an internet cafe there who was travelling via a english speaking driver. he invited me to join him and literally jumped into his car. I am travelling with him and his driver until he leaves and then I will take his driver for the remainder of my trip. It is amaxing how things happen and I am sure there is a lesson for me to learn about that. Ive taken many pictures and have some great stories. I will share more later but I wanted to let everyone know I am okay and thanks to everyone for their support and love!
ReplyDelete