Madagascar flag

Antsirabe, Madagascar

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Handmade guitar with handmade strings, Antsirabe, Madagascar — December 27, 1998

The strings were discarded metal wires wound up; they sounded Ok. After I played this great instrument, I gave this guy a used pair of my strings and in exchange he gave me a small water sapphire (which later fell out of my rucksack during a bouncy minibus ride.)

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Local rice farmer, Antsirabe, Madagascar — December 27, 1998

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Neon rice fields, Antsirabe, Madagascar — December 27, 1998

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Local kids, Antsirabe, Madagascar — December 27, 1998

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My good friend Aren, Antsirabe, Madagascar — December 27, 1998

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In a rice paddy, Antsirabe, Madagascar — December 27, 1998

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These curious kids followed us around, Antsirabe, Madagascar — December 27, 1998

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Rice valley, Madagascar — December 27, 1998

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In a rice paddy, Antsirabe, Madagascar — December 27, 1998

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Surrounding villages, Antsirabe, Madagascar — December 27, 1998

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Curious kids, Antsirabe, Madagascar — December 27, 1998

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Horseback riding, Madagascar — December 27, 1998

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Marieke, Mies and Aren on a hike, Antsirabe, Madagascar — December 27, 1998

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Aren and Marieke, Antsirabe, Madagascar — December 27, 1998

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Antsirabe street life, Madagascar — December 27, 1998

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Market, Antsirabe, Madagascar — December 27, 1998

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Scouting, Malagasy style, Antsirabe, Madagascar — December 28, 1998

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A daily staple: Laughing Cow, Antsirabe, Madagascar — December 28, 1998

Countries visited - Africa 1998 - 1999

Africa route map

I am not sure how it all got started. It wasn’t a magical spark of lightning that began the cataclysm, nor was it the supreme words of a higher being sending us on our way. Somehow, though, the powers of the universe contrived enabling our journey through the Heart of Africa.

It began quite innocently as an alleged trip to Bulgaria and Romania. This idea was eventually vetoed and placed “on hold” for future girlfriends. Zap—a long awaited spark was kindled—The Middle East: Yemen, in particular. And the visas were applied for, the air tickets purchased; and on a fine March 4th day we were on our way aboard a gleaming Air France 747 en route to Cairo, Egypt, via a five day layover in France.

We never did make it to Yemen, nor the Middle East for that matter; we headed South, instead, into the Heart of Africa, and what follows is the story of events as they unfold.