Travels begin again

21 February 2015 (written on 21 of Feb but due to internet access posted today)

Today, I left Africa Mercy. I said goodbye to many close friends. Some I will see again; some I will not.  Ten of us were in the bus today which meant we could spread out and our luggage was inside the bus rather than on top. This is a very nice benefit during rainy season.

Scenery for the last night/dinner in Tamatave

We wound through villages and hills for several hours. This 8-9 hour drive is not for the faint of heart or those that get car sick easily. Not much was said by anyone on the bus. We all tried to sleep some or at least close our eyes. Some had taken anti nauseous medicine. It is a narrow paved two lane road. The only road between Tana (Capital) and Tamatave (port). Trucks transporting containers of various sizes navigate the road as well. Due to the elevation changes and the curves, they drive slowly. Some of the curves are blind. When entering these, the vehicles will honk to signal to others their location. When wanting to pass, the truck in front will beep their horn and signal right. The vehicle behind then beeps signaling they are coming around. Beeps of thanks and you are welcome are exchanged to finish communication.

We arrived at a hotel in a larger town for lunch. I and several others had picnic lunches we packed from the ship. A few ate at the restaurant. After lunch, the scenery changed to rice fields with the back drops of green hills with short trees. No more palm trees. The people changed as well to Merina people. The surroundings became gradually more congested and taller houses built with brick rather than bamboo. The trees all but disappeared in exchange for buildings with little to no space in between.  

When we reached Tana (the capital), I realized just how blessed we were to be in Tamatave. Tana is a large unplanned and poorly laid out city with congestion everywhere. There is a mix of cars, buses, rickshaws being pulled and pushed up and down the hills, people walking all over the place, vehicles going both directions on what appears to be one way road space wise. It reminded me somewhat of Pointe Noir, Congo.  Another thing I noticed was how many people did not have shoes on. Of those that did, the majority wore flip flops of some sort. It is pleasant 60’s Fahrenheit, but many people are wearing winter coats.

We finally arrived at the guest house. We all pile out of the bus into the rain only to be told to get into other cars to be driven 5 minutes away. We figured we were all going together and that Mercy Ships provided the housing. We arrived to a simple but adequate place. I have my own room with a double bed.  I am sharing a bathroom with one fellow crew. Wow! My own room and a big bed.

We were told they had wireless internet at the hotel. It would be turn on after the rain stopped. They did turn it on, I was even able to skype with Dad briefly before it turned off again. As the connection ended, the rain picked up again. It appears the wireless is indeed effected by the pouring rain and thunder. One last night in Madagascar.