Yesterday I told you about the grace of Malagasy people running and today I had little over 3h to observe that Malagasy people are indeed very patient. They also help each other and so far I haven't seen them agitated over something. When it's needed, they will wait in line. When they drive, they will honk but only to let the others know they are behind or about to go ahead of you. Even the hawkers will give it a rest if you respond kindly that you are not interested. If, never the less, you tell them "maybe" or "later" - they will come back and try their luck again. Patiently. Not aggressively. And once you start discussing the price with one, the others will leave you to your business. Respectfully.
It's 2pm and we have been waiting for the T-B to fill up for several hours already. You need to know that if there are 15 seats, they all need to be payed for, they need to be taken. There are no arrival nor departure time schedules as the T-B is the cheapest way to travel. If your driver is one of the younger generation, there will be music. Blasting into your ears for hours. You just take it because... Well, because you have no choice, really. And while you wait for your ride to be ready, you will see all sorts or cakes, bread, fruits, veggies, meat, ice cream, iced fruit juices but also items such as shoes, games, cuisine utensils, batteries, lamps, irons! coffee machine and many more pass by. They are all for sale. Up to you to decide whether you want to start a chain reaction of the sell/buy craziness.
6pm. The road between Antsirabe and Ambositra is gorgeous. Very colorful, peaceful, curvy, smokey at times as they burn the earth to make it more fertile. And that would cast the most amazing natural filter to whatever the sun was touching. The red would become golden red, the green would sparkle, all of the colors would come alive in fact, their other life...
Ambositra is located in the center of a very broad valley, surrounded by green peaks. It seems a lot quieter and much more charming than Antsirabe. That's my first impression anyway. It took us little over 2h to get here, so it wasn't tiresome and it allowed us to take it easy this evening. You are definitely getting away from the world here. The town is at 1350m of altitude, rustic and very arty and crafty from what I hear and read. We decided to take a guided trek starting from tomorrow, so we had a little briefing with Mr Tina, the guide. He's picking us up tomorrow 7:30am to take us to the market and then we'll hit the road again. On foot, this time. The program seems quit physical but lots of fun awaits us, so it's all good. Can't actually wait to get started. Muscles, get ready 'cause this is gonna hurt!!!
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