Sunday 4 November 2007

Andro Mahafinaritra = Beautiful day

Yesterday was one amazing day!
It started with Malagasy classes. The last day with Edouard, our teacher. The nice guy he is, he would take us to Lake Tritriva, approx 9 km outside Antsirabe. His car isn’t actually a brand new Rolls Royce, if you know what I mean. And Malagasy roads aren’t really known for being class A, so we had to avoid major holes and deep ditches. This of course meant trouble when we had to drive up a VERY steep hill. My heart was pounding like mad as we struggled upwards. I was only one second from jumping out of the car at one point, terrified as I was. Suddenly we weren’t going forwards anymore, and Edouard couldn’t get the car in gear. The car was racing backwards at a terrible speed and Eline, sitting in the middle in the back, reached out to grab the hand break.
“I’ll go out and push!” I exclaimed as I had made the decision that sitting in the car was too dangerous. So we all got out, and a moment after, Edouard followed. We already had an audience, curious young men and women selling hats etc. The men saw their chance to help, and started pushing the four-wheeled vehicle up the steep hill. The minutes went by; we panted, laughed nervously, said no thank you to the sellers and perspired under the hot sun.
FINALLY we got the car to the top. We could finally enjoy the beautiful sight of the green lake. And the fantastic view over typical Malagasy rice fields.

I'm just glad we didn't go in this vehicle!



After having got safely back to Antsirabe, we got an invitation to a waffle party at the Norwegian “ettåring’s”. You Norwegians who love waffles; you can imagine our joy! But before going to our friends, we took them swimming at Hotel des Thermes. Our Malagasy friend Daniel, who has spent the week-end with us, also joined us. Enjoying the sunrays and the cool water was just what we needed to relax after our breathtaking drive to Lake Tritriva.


The waffle-lover



On top of it all, we met another new friend. Her name is Fefe, she sold us a wallet the other day. We asked her name and spoke Malagasy to her. Now, every time we see her, we smile and talk to her. It is great getting to know the Malagasy people, and then you also have something else to say than “No thank you”…

My situation will change from tomorrow. Our time in Antsirabe is over for now, and Fandriana is waiting. We will take a taxi brousse (YIKES!) all the way, and when we get there, we will meet our students. On Tuesday I will have my first day as a teacher! Excited? You bet!
Since Fandriana is in the country side, this may be the last you hear from me for a while. Now I have to say goodbye to a normal WC, water in the tap, electricity, an oven, Internet and Norwegians all around. I’m looking forward to it! And still I thank God for not yet being ill! :)

15 comments:

Mr. Ukulele said...

Yay ^^ Finally going away from all the luxury hotels and wireless connections and all that :)
And about time too! You feel ready to teach these kids in malagasy now then? Well, I know you will be a great teacher :)
One very important question though: Will you still be able to charge your phone over there? You better be!
So, we'll talk soon, enjoy your brousse ride and take care :)
Hugs!

mrs. marianne said...

Hei Inki! Saa kjekt aa faa en siste blogg foer du reiser! Lykke lykke til! Haaper du faar det kjempe kjekt, og klarer aa dele Gud med andre!
Du er kjempe kul, jeg er kjempe glad i deg!!!
Kos deg med Eline, og tenk paa meg litt:)
Haaper alt gaar greit med fataperaene! Love yoU! Hilser MASSE fra Christen! A horsyyyyyy!

mrs. marianne said...

ps-
in the waffle picture
you look like a raaaaat!
(Christen)

Anonymous said...

Its good that you got the car up the hill in the end :)
The green lake was beautiful

The students are lucky to have you as their teacher :)

Take care

Mr. Ukulele said...

Hey! There really is a slightly ratty quality over that pic ... what've they been feeding you, Inki? :O

Anonymous said...

Du har sikkert reist no, så du ser vel ikkje dette før du kjem att til sivilisasjonen. Men uansett MASSE MASSE MASSE LYKKE TIL!!!! Eg vonar du får ei kjempetid!!! Kjempemasse glad i deg:)
Job 35,14:)

The Beasley's said...

I'm so excited for you! I can't wait to hear how the teaching goes. Teaching is a wonderful thing...I just know you're going to love it!

Christina said...

yo! Savner deg... kult med Pousse-pousse bildet, og håper du liker å undervise!

Men selv om jeg savner deg, må en jo utnytte situasjonen litt også. Jeg har lånt en masse klær fra deg, og hamstret litt inn fra sofaen din - de skulle til Fretex, ikke sant? (Mange av de kommer nok aldri til å ende opp der... hvorfor har du ikke sagt til meg at du har mange kule bukser og shorts jeg ville likt?)

Håper du har det bra der nede! Stå på! :) Glad i deg!

Stor klem fra storesøster

Anonymous said...

Same afternoon installing personal loans really are a type of payday
advances made available for a week interval during urgent situations.
Many don’t want all the proof of situations’ urgent, neither of
the two they need surety, credit history none other things.
You can program a secondary, several important buys or even just include your
online business bills – Similar day fitting up lending options will assist you to in a instances.

Right now these kinds of mortgages are obtainable
on the web.

Also visit my web-site ... pożyczki pozabankowe

Anonymous said...

Exact moment installment fiscal loans will be a sort of payday
loans made available to get a 4 weeks span inside urgent situation instances.
Individuals don’t will need a evidence of situations’ unexpected, neither
of the two they desire surety, credit score none other things.

Perhaps you may package a holiday, a number of important purchases
or even just deal with your enterprise bills – Equal afternoon installing borrowing products will help you in any situations.

At present these kinds of borrowing products are obtainable on line.


Here is my web blog: pożyczka bez bik

Anonymous said...

Similar morning payments borrowing products are a
sort of cash loans provided for the four weeks period during disaster occasions.
These don’t call for typically the proof of situations’ urgent situation, neither of the two they require surety,
credit ranking not other stuff. You can method if
you want a, many fundamental expenses as well as take care of your internet business expenses
– Same moment sequel fiscal loans will let in a
cases. Right now a lot of these lending products can be found on the
internet.

Here is my weblog - pożyczki prywatne

Anonymous said...

Equivalent moment installment borrowing products are actually a variety of pay day loans furnished for the four weeks period through sudden circumstances.
People don’t have to have the particular proof of situations’ catastrophe, or they might need surety, history of credit
none other stuff. You could possibly approach a vacation,
a few valuable expenses or even cover up your organization
charges – Identical morning installment loans will assist you in different
occurrences. At present all these loans are accessible
web based.

Feel free to visit my web site; chwilówki

Anonymous said...

Comparable time of day sequel financial loans will be a sort of
payday advances delivered for that 4 weeks length in emergency
events. They will don’t call for the particular proof
of situations’ critical, neither of them they need surety, credit ranking or other stuff.
You could prepare a holiday, a few important brings home as well as
go over your business fees – Same moment installing financial products just might help you in different situations.
Presently these kinds of personal loans are on hand internet.


my website: kredyt bez bik

Anonymous said...

Same exact morning installment lending products will be a kind of cash advance loans offered for just a thirty day period time for
critical predicaments. They don’t call for typically the proof situations’ crisis, or they might require surety, credit
file nor other stuff. It's possible you'll prepare a vacation, some necessary products and
also go over your home business fees – Exact same morning payment lending
options will let you in different conditions.

Right now these types of borrowing products can be bought on the internet.


Here is my homepage :: szybka pożyczka

Anonymous said...

fantastic put up, very informative. I ponder why the other experts of this
sector do not notice this. You must continue your writing.

I am sure, you've a great readers' base already!


My blog post - gto120dlaocm402mfos02.com