Hashing around Madagascar

Twice a week, a group of people called Hashers meet up and run or walk through the countryside or city. My husband, is one of these Hashers who introduced us to this fun pastime. Last Sunday, we joined (the kids too) the hashing crew and made our way up steep hills, through rice patties, woods, small villages, and down steep hills for a 3 1/2 mile walk. What we saw was amazing, fascinating, and sad as well. Many of the paths we took had us walking in the middle of rice patties on the narrow walkway that joined them together. The air was fresh and the people were friendly as we greeted them with a hello (manaona) in their local language. Many of the children followed us as we were probably one if the few Caucasian people they ever saw. They laughed with delight as I took their picture and showed them. You must remember that most of these children live  in "houses" with no electricity or running water.

 Once we finished the hash trail, we joined the others and had a drink and snack as the children played together. The best part of this hash group is the people who belong to it come from all over the world. Our group has Malagasy, French, Belgian, Dutch, South African, and American people. If there is one important lesson you should learn in life, it is that we are all one family! 

Audrey and I hiked about 3 1/2 miles on this hash. 

One of the many rice patties and villages we travelled through. 

Zebu (cows) grazed as we walked by them. 

There were many small villages and houses. These houses do not have electricity or running water. 

The rice patties are broken up into sections. Each section you see has a very narrow path which we walked on. 

Audrey carefully walking on a path through the rice patties

Beautiful view of the rice patties dotted with palm and banana trees. 

The cattle and the villagers share their areas.

More examples of their houses.

Many of the roofs are thatched with a type of root. The Malagasy people also make wonderful sturdy baskets with this root as well. 

Free range chickens

Audrey chasing the free range chickens

This local farmer walked his zebu through the town. 

Audrey and Rachel walking through the village as local children join them. 

These local children were very excited to have their pictures taken and shown to them.

Audrey made several new friends. 

After the running/walking we joined together and had a drink. 

My friend Rachel joined us and brought her dog. Notice our running sign in the background-complete with lemur! 

Drinking from the piss-pots. Don't worry they are only used for beer and water. 

Samuel joined the circle as we celebrated his birthday one day early. 

       Overall, it was a wonderful day filled with adventure and new friends. Who can beat that?