Time for a short update from Manakara…

Half of the Manakara population caught the Chikungunya virus (or claims to have caught it), a virus that causes a three day fever, aching joints and an itchy rash to finish it off. It is spread by the Aedes mosquito (that also spreads Dengue) and is a typical East coast annoyance. Fortunately, it is not life threatening and there is not much you can do about it besides just sitting it out (though the Malagasy like to treat absolutely everything with shots, and Chikungunya is no exception). Miraculously enough, I have managed to steer clear of the virus and I hope it will stay that way. Fingers crossed.

The political situation here is still unstable and three people were killed in riots in the capital two days ago. Things have calmed down again, but it’s still quite scary and unpleasant.

Yesterday my friend Renaud welcomed his daughter Alice into the world, a very cute 2.5 kilo baby girl. She wasn’t due for another month, but I guess she just couldn’t wait any longer! She is in good health and her mother is too.

After a lot of rain this week, the weather is back to perfect, so I guess I will just have to spend my weekend on the beach and maybe have another go at kite surfing if the wind picks up. What a life… Before I do that though, I am taking a look at a house that sounds like it might well be the one Michiel and I will move into when he gets here in August. Exciting!