The final image excepted, all photos are candid, unposed.
All photos copyright Doug Spencer, taken in May 2018.
The featured image was taken in mid-morning in the central part of Antananarivo; “Tana” has a real (entire metropolis) population of more than three million people – around three times the “official” figure that is presented to the world in general.
By far Madagascar’s largest city, it has stunningly inadequate infrastructure.
Its traffic congestion is a deal worse than Kolkata’s.
However, Tana’s almost unfailingly genial inhabitants hardly ever exhibit road rage! (and – as is true of Kolkata – Tana is more interesting and more likeable than are many glossier cities)
There are more Madagascans than there are Australians.
Australians mostly live materially pampered lives in grandiose dwellings, in large coastal cities.
Madagascans mostly live inland, in material poverty, in modest dwellings, in rural villages or towns, or in small cities.
Most Australian adults own or co-own at least one car, which is their primary mode of transport.
Most Madagascans do not own a car; they mostly walk.
All photos below were taken in modest-sized cities in the highlands, south of Tana.
Pelican Yoga‘s next two Madagascan posts will take you to the southernmost of its highlands’ substantial towns; Ambalavao has two notable markets, each remarkably unlike the other.