THE COUNTRYSIDE

ON THE MOVE

From empty carts pulled by massive Zebu cattle heading to the fields; to men with their tools walking to the fields to harvest and maintain the crops; to women with empty baskets heading to market - everyone in Madagascar seems to be on the move.

For our second break today, we take a short ride into a small town and have a treat of coffee and donuts. There is a man smoking a cigarette and wearing a “Cancer Sucks” t-shirt. It is noticeable because there aren’t many people smoking and only Malagasy is spoke here, so he probably doesn’t know what the t-shirt says.

UNDULATING vs. GRUELING

The leaders describe our route today as undulating, we describe it as grueling…

We are in an area of grassland and very little shade. The day is hot with lots of long climbing. On this desolate road, someone has written in our path on the pavement “I love you”. Brightens my day! We are happy to find some shade and take a break and even happier when we descend to an area of lakes and trees.

This group knows how to chill!