Operation Wallacea in Madagascar: Day 1
Day 1 – Antananarivo 13/06/2024 – Thursday
Today we arrived in Madagascar. After a long flight with questionable airplane food it feels good to be stationary. As we cruised through the urban fringe our eyes opened to witness the contrast in the way in which people live their lives. For example, we saw a plethora of street food vendors (informal economy) and rice farmers as well as common school kids.
Even though we knew Madagascar was a lower income country for many of us this is definitely shaping out to be a memorable experience we will not forget in a hurry. From our hostel we can see rice paddies, mud huts, and skyscrapers. Moreover, as we arrived we met our tour guide and he shared his own experiences of the Malagasy culture. He explained that many tribes participate in a ritual called ‘Bone Wrapping’ where the ancestors’ bones are re-dug up and rewrapped. This tradition honors the dead and also allows the new family members to meet old family members.
Tonight we enjoyed our first ‘real’ meal together as a group and a well deserved rest.
Rhia & Robyn
