On 11/11/11, I participated to the 11 Eleven Project. We were asked to capture a part of our day using film or photography. I took a topic that every average citizen deal with everyday : public transportation.
Recently, I’ve spent some time in Paris . Sweet memories I got from there, but what I really appreciate was the public transportation. I’m sure you expected DisneylandPark or The Eiffel Tower or any other famous places in Paris. Well, in order to reach those places, I had to use public transportation. And, I use public transportation everyday. So, I can tell the difference …
My ticket to Paris
So, before stepping outside, you know exactly online which line to take, at what time departure is and how long it will take to your destination. In stations, if you know how to read, you will never get lost. And with one card called “Navigo”, you can use any kind of means of transportation: metro, tramway or bus. Also, I was surprised when people pull out without any fear, their I-phones, I-Pads, notebooks … those expensive electronic gadgets as to spend quality time during their journey. During rush hour, they have staff to regulate the flow. And for the record, one of the best ways to discover Paris is to take the tramway from a terminal to another one.
The equivalence of “metro” in Paris would be “taxi-be” in Antananarivo. And as opposed to the metro, we always come across to some little big dilemmas while using public transportation whatever if is it to go to work or to go back home. Few examples I can speak about are: no changes (always ready for the exact fees), no real bus station (creating traffic jam), no schedule (means long wait until a bus show up or long time a bus stays in a station waiting for customers) and above all, during rush hour “the law of the strongest and the fastest” (get ready to fight and run to get in a bus!). Everyone knows this latter so well that, on Facebook, they’ve created a group called: “Si vous aussi vous êtes champion du misiska bus” means “If you too are the best to sneak in a bus”. Needless to say not to pull out even your cell phone in a taxi-be, lest to be targeted of mugging …
Started November 1st , they increased the bus fees from Ar300 to Ar400. It may seems just Ar100 difference, but it represents 33,33% rise, it means people have to adjust their budget in order to add 33,33% more for their daily transport, somehow.
As for me, it doesn’t help when you struggle to get a bus every morning. Though, it is to go to work. I am not saying “public transportation in Paris is perfect” but I just ask for a less stressful mornings … Here is a sample of what I live everyday to go work …
On a side note, “11 Eleven Project”- The movie will have a worldwide screening this coming 11/11/12. As for Masagascar, our dear Ambassador Lalah and I are preparing a private screening …
QUOTE
The quote that made a buzz right now is :
“4 more years!”
Congratulation President OBAMA
On the 11 Eleven Project Documentary
“The 11Eleven Project will tell the story of Planet Earth on November 11, 2011″
See you soon for the Screening !!
. My niece were so kind she said I could have her “magic stick”. It’s a stick with many little lights on it and blinks in a dark … And then we sang the famous song :
