We learned about bartering at the marketplace and the basics of the Malagasy language. We were also able to change money. The rate at that time was 6500 Malagasy francs for every dollar. Throughout the country, official Malagasy, used in news broadcasts and politics, can be understood by everyone, though each region has many dialects. French is limited, for the most part to the cities and a few individuals living in the countryside who have learned it in school or from tourists.
Radios are more prevalent than TV's, which are almost nonexistent.
After two days in Tana, we had our first field trip to Perinet, where we stayed in bungalows and went for nature walks. The big attraction in this area is Indri indri. These are the largest of the lemurs. They make sounds that mimic whale calls. On the way home, to Tana, we stopped by a small zoo where we saw chameleons, butterflies, snakes, geckos, and a few other animals native to Madagascar.