The sights and sounds of Antananarivo

Today was National day, and the team had the chance to venture downtown for the first time. Walking through the streets of Antananarivo felt like walking into another world. I have seen poverty back home and in other countries, but to see such degree of extreme poverty in the capital city of Madagascar was quite an experience. 

The city itself is a jumble of things. The city is embroidered with French colonial architecture. But behind the old world facade lies poverty. The old cars, the run down buildings and the pot holes convey a stagnant growth and neglect in the capital. The images of dirty streets, children with bare feet, greedy vendors and empty gazes are still imprinted in my mind.

Since she is my rose

“You’re beautiful, but you’re empty…One couldn’t die for you. Of course, an ordinary passerby would think my rose looked just like you. But my rose, all on her own, is more important than all of you together, since she’s the one I’ve watered. Since she’s the one I put under glass, since she’s the one I sheltered behind the screen. Since she’s the one for whom I killed the caterpillars (except the two or three butterflies). Since she’s the one I listened to when she complained, or when she boasted, or even sometimes when she said nothing at all. Since she’s my rose.”

The Little Prince 
--- Antoine de Saint Exupéry