Expat transfer season is coming up soon. With that in mind, we can't help but wondering whether we'll stay or be sent somewhere else. We've had our fill of Madagascar and love the idea of moving to yet another country, but as I contemplate our last two years here, I realise that, however much we complain about the dirt, the pollution, the poverty and the lack of choice for schools in this city, we still have it pretty good. So if we do end up staying (and the chances are good that we will), at least there'll be more of these positive aspects of life in Tana:
We live in a residence (some people call it a compound) with streets that are paved and guarded, and kids can walk, run and ride their bikes anywhere they want within the residence. The residence gives them a freedom that they would never have back home in Paris or in pretty much any other modern city. My six-year old Bambina leaves the house by herself and takes off on her bike and I don't have to worry about it.
Horse-back riding lessons for children and adults of all ages, at reasonable rates and not too far away from where we live. The Bambina has a lesson every Sunday morning and the Bambino likes to try out a pony whenever we go.
Lots of rain and every now and then a rainbow.
A heated swimming pool in our back yard and lots of opportunity for friends to come over and play - school gets out at 12:20 three times a week.
Lots and lots of yard space.
Very cheap manicures, pedicures, massages and haircuts. A haircut for the Bambina costs about 2 euro. A pedicure costs about 10 euro. A message costs about 5 euro for an hour!
2 comments:
Hello,
Are you still there?
Do you still like it?
I'm moving there soon.
Thx P.
Hello P., Please see the most recent post on this blog. We are no longer in Mada. If you are moving to Tana, be prepared to see a lot of dirt, pollution and poverty. That being said, once you're outside Tana, it's great. Also, be prepared to get stomach illnesses. Good luck! ;-)
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