oh Madagascar...
A word of advice to traveler's out there... Avoid Madagascar in February. Probably March and April too.
Here's the thing. I thought since I'm already in the capital, and I can't get home yet because the road's out... might as well go on a little trip and see a new part of the country. 
So I headed south to Fianar, which is a beautiful little historic city in the south-central part of Madagascar. I've really been enjoying my time here meeting some of the volunteers who live in the area, and waiting for a train ride. Unfortunately, it looks like I won't be going on the train ride, as originally planned. The train still isn't going, also because of cyclone damage. Instead I decided to check out one of the nearby national parks, Ranomafana, thinking that would be a straightforward trip. (I keep forgetting where I'm at.)
We arrived at the park and asked one of the guides if they could take us to a waterfall we had heard about. Oh no, he says, as he points to a huge group of Malagasy men pulling a massive log up the mountainside. That's to fix the bridge that leads into the park which came down during the cyclone. Just lovely.
This is where the bridge should be. 
So we got to see the beautiful "Ranomafana National Park" sign on the highway, and that's about it. 
I'm a little disappointed.... but you know, it's not so much of a surprise anymore when nothing works out the way I plan.
3 comments:
Hey Helen! Wow, so sorry to hear about the cyclone! You're right, I hadn't heard anything about it here in SF. I'm glad you're OK, and the sky is blue and beautiful again there. Thanks for keeping us updated when you can. It certainly sounds like quite the adventure you're having. Madagascar is lucky to have you! Bodhi is 3 1/2 now and one of his favorite movies is the animated Madagascar. I'm sure you haven't seen it, not having kids and all (it's only OK). Anyway, it's fun to tell him we have a friend living there "in the wild" as they say in the movie. :-)
Big hugs and safe travels!!
Chris
dear helen,
i miss you!...and i love getting an update from you. i wonder if you're still in the capital now, or if you'll be reading this months from now.
all's perfect here in berkeley. jiwon's pregnancy is going beautifully (due may 17!), and it's SO COOL, but i also guess my plan of visiting you in '08 won't happen. i'll still be thinking of you often, of course!
much love to you,
jason
there is a saying i enjoy despite my atheist tendencies:
if you want to make god laugh, make a plan...........
i hope the postal people didn't steal from the package i sent you. i hope you got the faberge egg, gold pocket watch, and luis vutton bag. perhaps an inventory is in order.
i am currently in mendoza, argentina- remember when we wanted to spend new years in buenos aires? i have some more countries i will go to, then back to the us. i relocated to park city utah, and will go to my first burning man this summer. i expect to see you there once you are finished with your service. got it?
also, i do not know why this blogger thing says my name is remember- i do not remember choosing this name remember. c'est la vie
mucho amour
ny jess from buenas nuevas rooftop
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