Landing in Madagascar was really exciting because the soil there is very red from all the iron, so it looked like mars. We had braced ourselves for a lot of hassle and danger the second we came out of the airport, but our initial impression was that everyone was calm and kind. The poverty is extreme, and everywhere, but the people don't seem sad. Tana is full of slums and dirty, unaccompanied toddlers, but there is a good atmosphere. People wanted to say hello (bonzour or salam) and smile and wave at us. It was actually a break from the hassle of sleazy Reunion men. We took clothes and books and pens and sweets to an orphanage which was very sad, but we spoke for a long time to the lady in charge who was great.
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