Madagascar upcoming, first time traveler

Sorry I can't help you with details, but in preparation you should read the US State Department's page on Madagascar, as well as getting recommended vaccines (see the CDC page, note it is a malaria area and they're having a measles outbreak). My friend lived there for a year (working for State Dept.) and had few troubles other than dealing with the logistics of an very impoverished country - begging, difficulties getting around (poor infrastructure and roads are rough). You may find better info on the Lonely Planet forums. Good luck!

An interesting (and challenging) choice for one's first international travel. I hope you are up for some challenges.

Can you speak any French? If not, try to learn some basics as it may be helpful (unless you've been successful in learning to speak Malagasy -- which I bet is not easy for most of us).

Definitely get the vaccinations -- take this seriously. Actually, take everything about going there seriously. For someone who has never been abroad before, it's going to be quite a leap. Good luck.

I'd be interested to know why the OP, who has never been out of the United States, never been on a plane, has food allergies, but he is planning to spend 4 weeks in a small country about which he knows nothing. Further to that, few contributors to this forum will likely be able to offer useful advice. One has to wonder ......

I'd be interested to know why the OP, who has never been out of the United States, never been on a plane, has food allergies, but he is planning to spend 4 weeks in a small country about which he knows nothing. Further to that, few contributors to this forum will likely be able to offer useful advice. One has to wonder ......<

What's to wonder, it's travel! Is there a graduated level to travel I don't know about? Are people with allergies allowed to travel? Your message is rude. Not what I was expecting here at all.

Of course I've done research, and know about vaccines. I was hoping for practical information from people who've been to third/ fourth world countries.
Maybe advice on a long plane trip for a first timer.

You remind me very much of a previous poster - Mike L from Detroit. Are we being fooled?

You remind me very much of a previous poster - Mike L from Detroit. Are we being fooled?<

What? How is my post fooling anyone? I came here for advice. I'm not from Detroit or a even man.

I regret, OP, that you found my post rude. However, I am still curious as to why, for your very first time on a plane, your very first time leaving the USA, you choose Madagascar, Can you enlighten us? You must have a reason.

Whatever your reasons and motivations, posting a question about Madagascar on a Euro-centric forum like this one is unlikely to yield much in the way of worthwhile or knowledgeable advice.
I see that TripAdvisor has a pretty active forum for Madagascar, as does Lonely Planet. You might have better luck over there.

The term Third World is considered old fashioned and slightly derogatory. Never even heard of 4th World! Referring to Madagascar as a poor country is also not the best word choice. You e got many challenges ahead of you.

I lived in West Africa for 7 years. Never been to Madagascar, but have a friend who spends considerable time there studying lemurs. Based on her stories, I think I have a pretty good idea what you can expect. Seems to me like you would learn a bit more about the country before you decide to visit!

My advice is to do some research!

I'd be interested to know why the OP, who has never been out of the United States, never been on a plane, has food allergies, but he is planning to spend 4 weeks in a small country about which he knows nothing. Further to that, few contributors to this forum will likely be able to offer useful advice. One has to wonder ......

Well, there was a cartoon, maybe that explains the interest.

To the OP:

Is there a graduated level to travel I don't know about?

Not exactly, but I think it's fair to say that most travelers begin with places that are more "mainstream" (for lack of a better term): for example, London, Paris, Rome. Travel to developing countries (that's the appropriate term nowadays), is more difficult, requires more effort, patience and care (at least many would argue that). Most here would probably suggest to their loved ones, if they've never been anywhere, to start with someplace less challenging -- someplace in Europe, for example, where the language and cultural differences are real but easily tackled. For someone who has never been abroad, France or Italy may seem challenging at first. Once you've been around a bit more, then it's common to start branching out and going to places that may be a bit more exotic (and more challenging), say Bangkok or Minsk. Heading for a developing country in Africa for your very first trip is going to present you with a lot all at once. Many people would be overwhelmed by that. Maybe not you, but plenty of people would be.

You want advice for flying for the first time? OK...

Start off well-rested and in good health, and don't expect to get much sleep on the flights. Always watch all your belongings carefully. Don't expect much from yourself on your arrival day - and that's just when flying to Europe! To get to Madagascar, it's going to take you at least 2 or 3 days of travel -- you are going to be wiped out just trying to get there. Book a safe, reliable, and comfortable place for your first few nights, to give yourself a chance to physically recover from the trauma of flying for 3 days, and don't expect too much from yourself for a while because not only will you be physically exhausted, jet-lagged, etc., you may also be sick by the time you arrive, and you will probably be pretty freaked out ("culture shock" is just one aspect of this) - you go to the other side of the world, you don't know anyone, you don't speak the language, you don't understand how anything works, the food is weird, etc...the list goes on. Upon arrival the idea of a nice easy trip to Paris or Rome may suddenly start sounding really attractive. Give yourself some time to adjust, and expect it to take a few days before you start to relax, feel anything like happy, and are glad to be on your adventure.

Pro tips for reducing the chance you get incredibly sick: drink only water from a sealed bottle, nothing in a glass, NO ICE, brush your teeth with only bottled water, don't let any water run into your mouth or nose while taking a shower - not even one drop, ever. For food, remember this mantra: "boil it, peel it, or forget it." Make plans for what you will do if you get violenly sick, because you probably will. It's miserable enough to be really sick in a nice, comfy, air conditioned hotel room. It's something else entirely to be really sick in the back of a bus in 100-degree heat, bouncing down some bumpy road in the middle of nowhere.

Good luck.

Is there a graduated level to travel I don't know about?

I suspect your proposed trip appears to many to be the equivalent of someone taking their first swimming lesson by jumping off a cruise ship that is 5 miles from shore.

Your choice of a destination for your first international travel is intriguing. Care to share how this came to be?