October 28th, 2014 by Rachel | Tags: Peace Corps | 2 Comments »
I’d like to jot down a list of amusing things that have happened in my life recently in Cameroon.
• One day, as I was walking to the training center on a muddy road, a motorcycle zoomed right by me and drove in a puddle, causing muddy water to splash on my pants that were just washed the day before. I did quietly shout out “What the #%^@!” Keeping my clothes clean is a serious commitment in Cameroon. The more dirty clothes I have, the more time I have to spend hand washing my clothes. Because I wanted to re-wear my jeans, I washed it with soap and water as soon as I arrived at the training center. Yes, I did wear my pants soaking wet for several hours but I got to re-wear it three more times before washing it again. C’est la vie.
• My absentee ballot was sent on September 17th according the postmark. I just received it on October 27th. My mom sent me two packages on September 19th and they have not yet arrived, but I just received a package on October 27th from my sister that was sent on October 1st according to the post mark. Mail is absolutely unpredictable in Cameroon. Some packages can take as long as two months to arrive while some can be as quick as just less than a month. If you sent me a package and haven’t gotten a word from me that I have received it, don’t panic. This is the real life in Cameroon. The word “organized” doesn’t exist in their language. Most things in life in Cameroon are often super slow and late. The number one cause for mail delays is customs. The word “patience” will become our best friend during my service.
• A five year old may think receiving wipes is the worst gift ever. But for a Peace Corps Trainee, it’s the best gift in the world. My sister sent me several packets of wipes and hand sanitizers. I screamed with joy when I opened the package and saw them as I was very close to running out my cleaning supplies.
• As I just sat down at the table for dinner the other night with one of my host sisters, my host cousin, other sister and brother came running towards a window and my host sister jumped out of the chair and squealed. “What’s there?” I asked in French.
“A mouse,” said my host sister.
My host siblings spent about ten minutes catching and killing the mouse with sticks. Once they killed the creature, they pushed it towards me for me to see. I screamed and turned my eyes away.
“If the mouse was bigger, we would have cooked it and eat it,” said my host sister who explained to me that there are mice that are at least foot long. Again, I’m thankful that I can’t eat bush meat.
A few months before I left for Cameroon, I saw a dead rat near my apartment in Boston and wrote on Facebook that I need to learn not to be squeamish with these filthy creatures. So, I have clearly still been unable to learn to brave in seeing these creatures. When I move to my post, I may have to become best friends with a neighbor and let that one person do the killing and tossing out in a trash can for me.
• I played “Let It Go,” in English on my iPhone one day a couple weeks ago, and my host brother sang it in French. Cutest thing ever! Yes, there are Frozen fans in Cameroon!
• When a Cameroonian learned that I was being posted in Bamenda, she excitedly told me she’s from the Northwest.
Cameroonian: There are supermarkets in Bamenda where you can buy macaroni and cheese.
Me: *My eyes pop out* Reeeaally?!
Cameroonian: Yes!
Oh boy! She did not know that I love cheese and how much I miss it. I should note that supermarkets are rare sights in Cameroon and found only in a very few cities.
• I caught more big dead flies in my room last week. I’m thankful for my bed net that keeps them off me and kills them.
• I had my first pagne dress made two weeks ago. There was one problem though. The tailor switched my fabric with my friend’s fabric by mistake. The dress is still pretty regardless. Again, c’est la vie. I got another beautiful pagne and will get another dress made and also a skirt.
• Electricity goes out frequently in Cameroon, especially at night. There has also been many occasions when I wake up in the morning and flick the light switch to turn on but no light comes on. I just pull out my flashlights and life goes on. I made grilled cheese in the dark last week using their gas stove. Eating grilled cheese was the best thing ever. I can’t wait to enjoy more at my own post although it won’t be too frequently because cheese is not cheap here.
• A few weeks ago, I was standing just outside of my host mother’s boutique. A couple guys come up to me and try to say something that I couldn’t understand. My host mother called me to come inside her boutique and said, loud enough for the guys to hear, “They’re ‘deranging’ you. They’re drunk.” The guys came up closer and my host mother just continued to say in front of them, “They drank too much. They’re drunk.” Cameroonian women are known to be very strong and the best protectors and my host mother is an example.
• Mes amis and I hired a private driver and made a trip to Ebolowa this past Saturday to get internet access, get some good French pastries and buy pagnes. When the driver stopped by a store in Ebolowa to drop us off, a guy standing near the car pointed to me and told me he wanted to propose to me. I pretended I didn’t hear what he was saying. He put his hand up and pretended he was putting a ring on a finger. I walked away.
• As I was walking down a road last week and a guy was riding by me in a motorcycle, he did a blow kiss at me.
• When it’s 60’s to 70’s degree, Cameroonians tells me it’s cold and are freezing. I tell them, “The temperature is perfect for me. I’m from the north of US where winters exist and we get lots of snow.”
In spite of some crazy moments, I’m loving my life here. Cameroonians in general are the most friendliest and warmest people.
2 Comments
Jimmie Sorrento
October 28, 2014 at 8:53 am
Keep compiling. Certainly holding interest
It’s not all bad at least there’s always Mac n cheese
Stay safe
Varda
October 28, 2014 at 1:20 pm
I truly look forward to your blog posts! They are so interesting – – I love learning about different cultures through you. And most importantly – – you found macaroni and cheese!!