“A BOOK IS A DREAM THAT YOU HOLD IN YOUR HAND” Neil Gaiman

With love to my book sponsors, family and friends,

“By introducing reading at a young age, children develop a curiosity about the world and a lasting, positive attitude toward learning.” says AI, and even more. No time to lose!!!

On Nosy Komba, up, up, up on the mountain, there is a small elementary school, I call it “my forest school”.

The climb is no laughing matter for me. Other people, even carrying a heavy weight, walk as if they were on level ground.

Boris, my guide from the camp, and the teacher of the primary compile a long list of the teaching materials the school needs. The teacher also mentions that she hasn’t been paid since Covid. Nevertheless, she keeps doing her job.

The classroom is very clean furnished with wooden desks with bench seats and with decorations on the walls. The pupils have to take their flip flops off at the entrance. They are very quiet and curiously follow our conversation. Do they understand, it’s about them?

Then, with a long list and all my bank cards in my purse I take the boat to Hell-Ville and after my lesson at the Institut Océanographique I go and get the teaching materials. After that I was going to look for books, books, books. The teacher didn’t say anything about books. I will choose them myself. Is there a bookshop somewhere around here? Please, take me to a bookshop!!!

The bookstall on the sidewalk in the center of Hell-Ville only has three copies of the schoolbook LOVAKO (see above) and has to order the others from the main island of Madagascar. That takes time, but, yes, I want ONE book for EACH child. I’m already at home in Italy when the children happily hold their books in their little hands.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped get the books to the children, and also to a very special campmate who immediately pulled one hundred dollars out of his wallet when he heard about my book project. Inspite of his nickname he has more than a Bird‘s-eye view of the world.

A big goodbye to the small islands

Bye-bye animals, dead or alive

1. the famous black lemurs’ ladies are fiery readheads 2. Madagascar Giant Day Gecko or grass green neon light? 3. early morning caatch on their way to the restaurant 4. looooong live the cobra 5. big snails risking their lives on the way to the bathroom at night 6. a dead caterpillar on the dining table being carried away by hundreds of antlike creatures (must feel like christmas to them)

Thank you …

thank you for keeping the camp clean. Someone put “emergency bottles” into the shower in case the water stops in the middle of lathering up. All the cooks take good care of me and my gluten problem. The kitchen is simple, and the cuisine is good: starch, protein, veggies and fruit, some fat, too.

« Adieu, lieux sacrés » bye-bye Nosy Be

You recognise a sacred site by the white and red tissue: here Cascade sacré Androadroata. Stick to your guide and you won’t go wrong in a sacred place: do as you are told to, wear special clothes (pareo), respect the taboos (fady), don’t take pictures, don’t point your finger, no toileting, make offerings and then: express a wish. When it comes true, go back and make more offerings, like beer and bread. Bring plenty because the village chief will distribute it all to the villagers.

Hiking up up up to the “Chocolate Factory” on Nosy Komba

Without internet connection, I translate chocolate factory as “usine de chocolat” when I ask for directions; everybody bends over with laughter. “Chocolaterie” is the word. The climb is arduous, and I send my companions ahead because I cannot keep up. A young chap who speaks French puts me the right track and in the end I arrive shortly before the girls. The way back, too, is tough enough and makes me lose my balance twice.

1. Akiba, the chocolate workshop 2. don’t remember what it was, but best juice in the world after that hike 3. cocoa beans drying in the sun 4. pods on the cocoa tree 5. the beans have to be turned frequently 6. the people living up on the mountain are almost self-sufficient 7. my touchdown point at a breakleg descent 8. in spite of breathtaking views … 9. … my first vow: I’ll engage in more age-appropriate activities! (broke the vow, renewed it, broke it again)

My most heartfelt wish for you all: a bright future in a thriving country!

1. Bye-bye young gentlemen, it was a pleasure to teach you 2. best friends 3. Teacher training: a young English teacher for the forest school 4. little Jedi in training: he recognises me 5. children along the road 6. boys invent a source of revenue: my heart sinks, they exhibit live chameleons 7. a seller of traditional products: fragrance oils and vanilla; 8. bye-bye beautiful little museum on Nosy Komba; excellent guide! 9. bye-bye village youngsters playing basket in front of the elementary school; bye-bye school, where other teachers told us that they haven’t been paid since Covid.

I’m not a beach bum

but I know a beautiful beach when I see it

For the tourists: there is Andilana beach in the North of Nosy Be with its resorts or hotels divided according to nationalities (that’s what my guide tells me): Italian, German, … Russian (Madagascar is open to everybody), awe-inspiring the beaches on the countless small islands that are a bit off the beaten track.

There are more book sponsor stories coming up. Keep following

cheers Gerburg