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Now this IS interesting.
I arranged at 4 pm to meet with Pal at my hotel around 6 pm. At 4.40 I went for a walk around town. As I arrived a Toyota pick up with 4 soldiers with machine guns drove past me and out of sight. Two soldiers were directing traffic, which is not unusual, and looking relaxed. Everything was very quiet and peaceful so I went to the Centre de Culture Albert Camus and checked that tomorrow's lunchtime concert of Opera is free and doors open at 12 then I returned to the Hotel. Pacurette mentioned how quiet it was then I went to my room and started designing a worksheet. Within 5 minutes my phone rang. It was Pal: did I get his text? No I hadn't even thought of looking.
"We cannot meet tonight because it is dangerous."
"No it's not I've just come from town and it is really quiet."
"But the defence minister has resigned and the military is under attack!"
"What.?"
"This is what I have been told. Watch the news." (Voice in the background) "I have to go now. If it is safe I will come to your hotel at 6 tomorrow evening."
So I did look at the text he had sent which said: hlo david sorry cant meet each over(sic) today it is said MAY BE minister resign and military arttack. ?see u tomorrow if situation is safer.
Hmmmmmmmmm?
I went down and Pacurette switched to the French news channel. Nothing. I asked her to switch to local Malagasy channel but the news isn't on until 7 and it's only available in rooms, not in reception and only in Malagache so I won't be able to understand.Fotunately the night porter agreed to come up at 7 and translate. If there are pictures I will be able to understand. I think all of the Malagasy stations are privately owned so what access and what bias they have I have no idea. I'm not at all sure anything is going on. I suppose I will hear about it eventually but the 'winner' will control what information comes out and when.
It is very quiet so I am in no danger even if anything hashappened/is happening. Watch this space.
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