Why am I carrying a chicken!? 👀

TRIBUTE TO GERTRUDE 🌟🐓
Why am I carrying a chicken with me!?
Whilst attempting to become the first person ever to hike the entire length of Madagascar, I always knew that at some point, I’d have to collect a white chicken and carry it to the summit of the highest mountain.

The mission was to summit the eight highest mountains, whilst traversing Madagascar’s most central mountain ridge that runs almost the entire length of the island.
I was told many times, that when it comes to the highest peak, I’d have to carry a WHITE chicken with me all the way to the top and when I asked why… they said it’s to keep away the witches and bad spirits of that region (which they truly believe in).
I always respect the local traditions and customs wherever I am, so of course, I was always going to do this.
The white chicken we were given (who I named Gertrude), would be with us for almost 20 days!!!!

He would be released on the summit of Maromokotro, which unfortunately would be a sacrifice that I really didn’t want to do.
I want to take him back down safely, but the locals say we must leave Gertrude up there and take a shot of rum mixed with honey, in order to be allowed back down safely by the witches and spirits.

To be honest, Gertrude has become part of the team, like a pet dog. I don’t need to tie him up, he sleeps freely on the top of my tent, he much prefers humans to chicken and always finds his way back to us when we let him roam…. And even though he gets really annoying at times, he often sleeps peacefully in the top of my backpack compartment.

I’m secretly hoping he follows us back down once we reach the summit…….

Notes from the journal ☝🏼

Comment “🐓” to show respect to the legend that is Gertrud