Farewell, Madagascar!

Tsingt Parc

Baobab tree

How to describe what I am feeling, 10 months have passed and now it’s time to leave. Even thoug I am glad to come home, and see my friends and my family again, there are some things I will certainly miss... My fellow volunteer’s and I will no longer see each other, or at least not as often as we have for the past year… This country has welcomed me as if I was a native since day one. I cannot thank enough the people from Madagascar for teaching me values and helping me discover their culture day by day. No doubt, this was a mind-changing experience for me. Being able to help these kids and at the same time, enjoying myself, there were hidden benefits. Not that having a genuine opportunity to help others isn’t enough as a reward. This trip has given me the chance to broaden my horizons, to explore, to go sightseeing in places I couldn’t have imagined, to meet new people from all around the globe, to learn a foreign language, or at least a bit… It allowed cultural exchange between completely different people. I couldn’t be more thankful for this opportunity. Farewell kids! Farewell fellow volunteers!! Farewell Madagascar!!! I will always keep you in my heart and my memories, thank you! I will leave this pictures here, it's my favorite selection...

Fellow volunteer with some of the children

Fauna

Beach

Again the incredible fauna of Madagascar.

Time flies in this island....

The last few days we have been studying the islands environment. The kids made huge progress since we are here! It is amazing how much a person can make a difference another one, and I am not saying this only for the impact we cause on the kids, but the impact the kids cause on us. Seeing children that are thirsty for knowledge and opportuinities as these kids are, is not easy to find. Anyway, as I was saying, we were studying the islands' geography, and as they behaved so well, the non-profit organization that is making all of this possible, decided to take us on a journey with the kids...What an experience! Here are a few of the places we visited (my favorite)...

I found this amazing video about Nose-By!

Overview of the Tsingy of Bemaraha ...

Have I just arrived to Madagascar? Or have I lived here forever?

Discovering a new country, what an experience! A few days ago I was having dinner with my family and my friends... I will miss them so much! Yet, I feel as if the air and the energy was different in this land. Nature and wildlife are extraordinary! The landscapes are incomparable. When I was about to land, I was already amazed by the island. Small, yet, the trees paint the whole land green. The trees are quite special, the second picture is from one of the trees. Another thing that blew my mind off are the beaches, I haven't got the chance to visit them, but it is on my list! 

The most amazing thing yet: THE PEOPLE

People here are extremely nice!!!! They are welcoming and warm. It feels like I am a native of this island. Even though I can nearly understand two words in their language, malgache: hello --> salama, and welcome --> tonga soa. Luckily most of the inhabitants understand French. They are so welcoming that I think I might have lived here forever!

I can't believe I am here, it is even more amazing that what I expected. Today I and the rest of the team travelling with me are going to sleep at a hostel, tomorrow, and almost the rest of the year, we will stay at this big gym near the school we are going as volunteers. How would I describe my arrival and first thoughts: AMAZING. 

This is the view from the plane!

The weird yet amazing trees!

Map of the island! 

What is this blog about?

On my gap year, I will go to Madagascar, to volunteer there with children. I will write in this blog everithing related to my journey. It will be some sort of personnal logbook, so as you read, keep on mind that these are my personal experiences!