Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WOMEN TRAVELLERS
Things have changed a lot in Madagascar. During my travels
in the 1980s my only experience of sexual harassment (if it could be called that) was when
a small man sidled up to me in Nosy Be and asked: 'Have you ever tasted Malagasy man?'
Sadly, with the increase of tourism comes the increase of men who think they may be
on to a good thing. A firm 'no' is usually sufficient; try not to be too offended: think of
the image of Western women that the average Malagasy male is shown via the cinema or
TV. A woman Peace Corps volunteer gave me the following advice for women travelling
alone on
taxi-brousses:
'Try to sit in the cab, but not next to the driver; if possible sit with
another woman; if in the main body of the vehicle, establish contact with an older person,
manorwoman,whowillthentendtolookafteryou.'Commonadviceistoweararingand
say you are married, but some readers report that this is not effective in Madagascar.
Lone travellers, both male and female, seem to have a better time well off the beaten
track. My correspondent FRB (see box on
Click Here
) is not alone in saying that the true
warmth of ordinary Malagasy is more likely to be found away from tourist areas.
MEN TRAVELLERS
To the Malagasy, a man travelling alone is in need of one thing: a
woman. In tourist spots, particularly in beach resorts, lone male travellers may find them-
selves pursued or harassed. Prostitutes are ubiquitous and very beautiful, but venereal dis-
ease is common, and prostitutes have been known to drug a tourist's drink to render him
unconscious then rob his possessions.
Thegovernmentisclampingdownhardonsextourism.Consideringtherisksyouwould
be foolish to succumb to temptation.
