I f you have a flight tomorrow departing from most locations within the United States and Canada, remember that clocks jump ahead — or “spring forward” — one hour due to Daylight Saving Time, meaning that you will lose an hour at 2:00 in the morning on Sunday, March 13, 2016.
Although Daylight Saving Time is prevalent in most of North America and Europe, few countries outside of those two continents observe the annual ritual of moving clocks ahead one hour; and the countries which do observe Daylight Saving Time do not always align to observe it on the same day, which — in addition to the strangest time zones — can further cause havoc on travelers.
When I was in South Africa towards the end of February — during summer in the southern hemisphere — of last year, I wondered why the sun rose just before 6:00 in the morning and set at approximately 6:40 in the evening instead of later. It is because South Africa is like many other countries outside of North America and Europe: Daylight Saving Time is not observed.
Speaking of Africa, did you know that there is a hotel in Madagascar which has its own time zone?
Time difference >
Madagascar: GMT + 3 hours
A time peculiar to Anjajavy the lodge was created so that we are better adjusted to the natural cycles of the reserve and the village.
Therefore, at 5 pm lemurs naturally join us in the Oasis garden to take advantage the foliage. It is fresh hour, right in time for the “5 O’clock tea”.
Anjajavy the lodge: GMT + 4 hours
Summary
I do not suffer from jet lag; so changes in time zones — coupled with Daylight Saving Time — do not bother me. I wish I could say the same for my one stint in southern Indiana years ago when I thought I arrived at an appointment 15 minutes early but instead wound up being 45 minutes late.
Another reason I would like to spend overnight at the South Pole is to experience what being in all time zones simultaneously would be like — as well as facing north no matter which direction I was looking.
Anyway, I hope that the lost hour does not cause problems for you — hopefully you will not miss your next flight — but do not fret: you will get that hour back in November…
Photograph ©2016 by Brian Cohen.
