Madagascar First Impressions

Day 1

Stepping out of the airport into the fresh air of Madagascar was a sensation I'd never felt before. Although it was just coming out of winter, and the clouds where covering the sky, the climate was around twenty nine degrees. I gripped tightly onto mum's hand as the Malagasy people around me smiled cheerfully and called “Bonjour! Sava!” If that happened in England people would think you were slightly weird, but here is different, a smile can travel a long way, even to people you don't know.

We were greeted by a crowd of people who were speaking in a language I didn't understand and pointing at our bags. I looked at Dad, he was carrying a large red suitcase in his hands, following three other men who were heading towards a taxi. He was talking to a man pushing a trolley that had the rest of our luggage piled onto it. When we reached the taxi, dad thanked the man who helped him with his bags and handed him 10,000 ariary

(which is about two pounds in English money).

The man stared at him, his jaw wide open.

“M-merci!, merci! Merci!.” He mumbled in grateful shock.

I was confused.

“Why would you be surprised with two pounds as a tip mum?” I wondered as we climbed into the taxi.

I later learnt that people don't have very much money here and Daddy had given a tip worth two day's wages...equivalent to £200 in our country!

As we were driving to our flat, my mind was already racing. I couldn't understand why it was so poor, a day's wages was only one pound, and that was only for people who had jobs.

Outside the car was a dusty, bumpy road that ran through the town. The houses had feeble iron roofs and no windows so it was easy for robbers to get in. Chickens ran around calling loudly to passers by and plastic bags flew around in the wind. Children ran in the street with no shoes. Babies clung to their older sister's fingers. There were piles of rubbish everywhere.

Finally we arrived at our flat. It was probably the most modern place in the whole town. Two dogs ran up to us and sniffed us eagerly and barked in excitement. A lady named Wendy came up to us and offered to show us to our room. We padded up the steps and Wendy unlocked the door to our room... Our bedroom, lounge and kitchen - all in one space. We sunk onto the bed ready pretty tired by the trip and everything we had seen. We had arrived in Madagascar.