Likes
- The Hash: I am not talking about the illegal substance, but about the Hash Walk, which takes place every second Sunday. A group of people, mainly foreigners, meet outside of the city and go for a cross-country walk. They follow a trail which is has been marked before by some volunteers. It is a nice way to get out of town and to get to know new people...and as a first time Hasher, you will have to take a beer shower as initiation!
- My Rain Jacket: with the recent beginning of the rain season I like my rain jacket made by Aldi even better...but it is not that I do have a choice anyway, because here it is the only jacket I have.
- My Neighbourhood: I really like my neighbourhood with all the little grocerie shops, a small internet cafe, a pizza place, a French school and lots of vendors who are selling fresh vegetables and fruits.
- Our private Bakery: can you imagine living in a house where the family of the land lord has its own bakery on the first floor? Sounds heavenly, doesnt it? So I am taking advantage of this offer quite often which allows me to have fresh pastry almost every morning :-)
- Public Transportation: it is fairly simple to travel within the city, either take a taxi or go by mini-van. Both means of transport are most of the time available and affordable
Dislikes
- Public Transportation: even though it is fairly simple to travel within the city with either a taxi or by mini-van...there are some unpleasent features as well. Such as the permanent smell of gasoline and the worry that the vehicle will catch fire any second. The disadvantage of a mini-van is that is is really mini! For any person taller than 160cm it is quite exciting to sqeeze yourself (plus backpack) onto a small bench where already three Malagassy are seated!
- Shrimps: after my shrimp-overdose (to remind you...estimated eaten pieces: 150) in Fort Dauphin during the UN week, I am still not able to even look at shrimps. But let's see what happens next weekend when we will be at the east coast.
- The Absence of Street Light: "You better get home before it is dark!" Back home I would probably smile at such an advice...but here it makes way more sense. After sunset it is dark...really dark and when there is no street light then every walk, even in a familiar neighbourhood will become a challenge. Trying to avoid to step into dog poo, holes in which Tulika can easily fit in and disapear forever or simply other pedestrains which will bump right into you...those are the everyday obstacle to overcome after work!
MGG Fabi
