Madagascar’s Baobab Alley is probably the most recognizable place in the whole country. Sadly, local children have been spoiled by tourists. The children have figured out a long time ago westerners want to take their picture but the kids are no longer interested to see their own image on the digital screen. Well, at least they are not faking it.
“Photo?” they come and ask as I photograph the baobabs. I take their picture, show it to them and they keep on walking. Instead they grab me by both hands, on each side, and walk with me singing a rather forced sounding “Frère Jacques” until we reach the end of the alley and a stand selling fruits of the baobab. There they stand in front of me in a line. I had three cookies remaining from today’s breakfast and I gave each child a cookie. One boy didn’t want to share and grabbed an extra cookie intended for a little girl. Adults intervened, and the boy reluctantly had to part with half of what he thought was his rightfully deserved bounty.
Born in Ukraine, raised in Israel, and acquiring her higher education in the US, Sarit Reizin is proud to call herself a citizen of the world. However, to stay worthy of the title, she felt a nomadic lifestyle was in order, and in November 2005 left the comforts of the first world with no desire of coming back any time soon. http://HopStopTravel.com
