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Day 22. Mananara
Because we were mistaken in our schedule we have yet another
day to spend in Mananara. Not to my displeasure, after the long
day i had yesterday. We hear the news that mr. President himself
is visiting Mananara today, arriving on the airport straight
in front of our bungalow. He then will
address the people in the old stadium, 5 minutes from here.
He was supposed to arrive at 8:30, and at 8 the first people
already gather near the airport with their hats and flags. However
at 3 in the afternoon he still hasn't arrived. (must be flying
Air Madagascar..)
Meanwhile, we stroll through Mananara, visit the market and buy
a bunch of Raffia baskets from the amazing price of 35 cents per
piece. Back at the hotel its become really busy near the airport,
and commotion arises when a helicopter arrives. But the president
ain't in it. Who's in it remains unclear.
But then finally, around 4, a plane arrives with "Tiko" printed
on it. (the president's own soda brand). The crowd starts to cheer,
the door of the plane opens and the president steps out. Followed
by gis wife and pop star Jerry Marcoss - singer of the
campaign theme and extremely popular in Madagascar. That's
when the crowd get really loose.
The president gets in a pickup and the caravan, loudly cheered
at, moves to the stadium. There, the president, dressed in a kanga,
shirt and red tie, jacket slung over one shoulder, addresses his
people. Jerry Marcoss is playbacking his hit song. The
song has been played non stop since 8 this morning, so by now everyone
knows the lyrics by heart and all sing along.
While the president addresses his people we walk back to the hotel
and see Air Force one, unmanned, with open doors at the landing
strip. Then the caravan starts to move again and when we see the
president pass us from just 2 meters distance he greets us: "Salut,
Hello, Hi!". Then he boards the plane, waves one more time and
takes off. We realize that, being the only foreigners here, we
had a unique experience.
Later that afternoon a sparkling red Toyota Hi-Lux arrives to take
us to Mahambo tomorrow, 12 hours south along the east coast, over
one Madagascar's worst roads. The driver want to leave at 4am..oops..here
comes another short night's rest.
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