Part 14 - The Village

Part 14

La Riziere Hotel in Fianarantsoa was a trading establishment designed to grow the next generation of hotel clerks, cooks, chamber maids etc so the overall standard of the place was very high compared with the recent establishments. Certainly no luxury's though so Paddington was unable to catch up with any TV news, go for a swim nor dry his fur with a hair dryer - not that he thought for one moment he needed a shower. Whilst Mrs Smith and the bear had a quiet morning Mr Smith ventured out with the group to inspect the old town (one of the Worlds 100 endangered historical sites. After a brief guided tour the rest of the morning was spent walking into the valley and across the paddy fields to a small village where lunch was taken.

Sat around the wall of an upstairs room on little stuffed poofes the group were introduced to the senior lady who had organised the meal. Table cloths of woven reads were then laid out and the bowls and cutlery added. Bruno our guide warned us that this was the table so no feet to be placed on the mats! Lunch consisted of rice, pork and spinach and a tomato and onion salsa. Whilst each person had been given their own large bowl of rice we were informed that we could discard some into a large central bowl before adding any meet or sauce. In this way over 60% was retuned for later use by the families. The meal was excellent particularly after the long walk, and was enjoyed by all.

After the meal there was an opportunity to view the upstairs kitchen which also served as the sleeping area for the children as it was warm. The grown-ups slept in the other room. The attached pictures shown what it was like although the flash makes it appear much brighter than it was in reality. After games with the children it was then back across the fields to the waiting bus and a trip into town for some staples.An unusual but most enjoyable day.

 

Paddington's fact for the day: Malagasy people have an afro-asian origin which has led to a complicated system of beliefs and customs. This includes a widespread belief in the power of ancestors - razama. Fady are the dictates of the razama and can include such 'taboos' or instructions as: Don't sing whilst you are eating as it makes your teeth longer, you cannot pass an egg to a person directly, it must first be placed on the ground first and a spade used to dig a grave must have a loose handle as it is dangerous to have too firm a link between the living and the dead!