Madagascar🇲🇬Tea with the queen of Ambalavero

The next day the man surprised me when he wore shoes for a walk to a lower lying village. His explanation was so logical, though still contrary to western views. The hike yesterday was rocky and tough so shoes would wear down where today’s hike was easy so shoes wouldn’t go bad. The village at the bottom of the valley was going to give an even bigger surprise. Down in the valley, devoid of electricity, running water, sewer or any form of transport, a seemingly happy village of about 100 people were making their living. Man were carrying 20kg barrels of self-brewed rum on their head up to the mountain, while the women were working on the land harvesting the rice. There was just one adult left in the village and she invited us for a cup of tea. And she turned out to be the queen of the village! She had a privileged live. Her only duty was, when somebody in her village died, to make sure all people of neighbouring villages would visit her palace and cry as this was obligated by law. The people were only allowed to leave her palace after having shown their tears. Luckily nobody died, so we could leave with a great and thankful smile for her hospitality.

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