REFLECTIONS - 5th February, 2013

NOTE TO SELF: Do not forget to travel with my camera while zooting around my town of Taolagnaro!

With vivid imagination picture this:

An old, very old tin bus with mud covering faded memories of days gone by. Faraway reminences of being born quite a powerful, colourful truck wih many dreams and hopes of travelling countries, proud and free. Taking to the highways bearing cargo from one city to the next. Proud driver honking the horn just for the fun of it!
What happened? I will never know. I caught a glimpse of this tin bus refueling at a service station, hence the note to self! I chuckled........then set to thinking. (I do this on the odd occasion.)

That once proud truck now bears precious cargo from one city to the next here on this Mad Magical Island. It travels with a different kind of pride. The splashed, faded colours tell another story. The refurbished "hold" has become a fully fresh-air-conditioned seating place for goodness knows how many hard working, under-paid, "nothing changes, same thing every day" people. No fancy air plane flying for these folks. A tin of sardines can learn a thing or two about packing! No fancy trailer attached for luggage, it goes on the roof, even a lounge suite. I kid you not!

It is the rainy season here. In normal weather the roads (roads? Did I say?) are a challenge. I can only imagine the travelling conditions. No fancy, plush cushioned seats. Hard planks with railings to hang on to if you're lucky enough to be seated around the edge of the "hold." No fancy restrooms along the way to take a break for coffee, tea, sandwiches, a quick wash and wee-wee. No protection against the elements of rain, heat and humidity. No deodorant. Where would one pack it never mind how one would apply it - "Deo time everyone. On the count of three, left arm up......" Imagine a pit stop.
And the lounge suite arriving at it's destination?

I left this Mad Magical Island in style. All my goods safely packed in suitcases. I flew away in "air-conditioned, air-controlled" comfort. My meals provided. A flush toilet. I could apply my deodorant in private. Granted, one particular Air Line Company seemed intent on raising a few travelling challenges which I overcame, I hope, with some dignity. (Ha!ha!) Leaving this Island I fretted and fumed and declared all the magic gone!

Returning in the same style of comfort in which I left, one glance at the mountains surrounding our town, bombarded with the heat and humidity, a Salama here and there, beautiful smiles and welcome from our Malagasy friends who work at our village, I was home and so was the magic!

Pity about my lounge suite though.