Baobab Alley
I expected more from Madagascar's Baobab Alley - probably the most recognizable place in the whole country. I've seen kkaplin's photographs of this site before and must confess: the pictures are much more impressive than the real thing.
Local children here are noticeably spoiled by tourists. They have figured out a long time ago westerners want to take their picture and are not extremely thrilled 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 keep on walking. They grab me by both hands, on each side, and walk with me singing a rather forced sounding "frère Jaka" until we reach the end of the alley and a stand with selling fruits of the baobab. There they stand in front of me in a line - ready to receive a reward for their trouble. 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 greedy boy reluctantly had to part with half of what he thought was his deserved bounty.
Local children here are noticeably spoiled by tourists. They have figured out a long time ago westerners want to take their picture and are not extremely thrilled 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 keep on walking. They grab me by both hands, on each side, and walk with me singing a rather forced sounding "frère Jaka" until we reach the end of the alley and a stand with selling fruits of the baobab. There they stand in front of me in a line - ready to receive a reward for their trouble. 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 greedy boy reluctantly had to part with half of what he thought was his deserved bounty.