Ann's-Mercy-Africa-Service-Trip

On Friday I went off the ship for the weekend. We took a van ride through town to the river. We walked down to the river and boarded 2 boats for a 3 hour riverboat ride to a small island resort. It was so nice to be off the ship for a while. To be able to wear what I want to wear and to not have to be careful about things I do or don’t say.

The boats were long and low with benches on either side and a canopy over the top. We had 13 people in our boat and a driver. The boat had an outboard motor in the back. We all clamored onboard. In typical Ann fashion I manage to fall into the boat from the very high step.

We rode for 3 hours in the boat. That seems like a long time but it was very pleasant. There was a nice breeze. We were sheltered from the sun, and we got a glimpse of what life was like for folks as we rode by. There were many other boats going the opposite way up the river as they brought their products to market from the countryside into Toamasina. The largest town nearby where they could sell their wares at the weekend market. We saw lots of boats full of sticks which are used for building as well as making charcoal which is used in cooking. There were also lots of coconuts and mangos.

We saw lots of fishermen in hollowed out log canoes emptying fish traps on the river. They build corrals that make the fish swim into chutes and then they have boxes made of sticks and netting where the fish swim in but can’t get back out. It was kind of fascinating. It felt like what it might have been like in Jesus’s lifetime. The men are fishermen and women sift through the shallow water with a sieve device to catch shrimp near the shore.

The resort was another Lemur sanctuary. There were open air cabins with a lovely breeze off the water, and a beach with very warm water. There were so many kinds of lemurs as well as lizards and very large snails. We went at night to see the AyeAye lemurs who are nocturnal. I thought they looked like Doby from Hairy Potter!

On the way home we stopped at a small community along the river. We walked about 50 yards and we were on the east side of Madagascar looking at the Indian Ocean! We bought beads and woven bags from the people there. They live in homes made of sticks with thatched roofs, but they also had solar panels and satellite dishes!!

I have seen very few dogs and cats. So far only 3 dogs and one cat. The animals are all very skinny. People here can barely feed themselves. They can’t really afford to feed pets.

I am now into my 4th week here. So far I am having a very interesting experience. The PT work is starting to get busier which is good. Thanks for following along with me! I enjoy your comments!

Ann