8/10/2002:
the CD passed by PST [pre-service training] today. he wrote me back in regard to the letter i sent him. interesting points. wants specifics. spoke a lot about HIV/AIDS in his "monthly mailing" and his talk with PCTs [peace corps trainees] and trainers.
i wondered how much sunk in today with the trainers. specifically with regard to one comment about jettisoning the parts of the "African way" that make HIV/AIDS such a problem. for me that translates into things like staying quiet about domestic violence, infidelity, sexism, etc.
i was talking to one of the PC trainers about all this on the ride back from Santa to Babadjou. about how we shouldn't be quiet or "indirect" about what happened happened [domestic violence at one of the trainee host-family homes] in Babadjou.
i know there are things like social norms, customs and community perception BUT all these need to take a back-seat. WHY? if those things keep us from tackling the vital issues (those stated above: HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, infidelity, sexism, etc.) head on, then they're just in the way.
yet part of me cannot deny the power of culture and, even more so, the hurdle of cross-cultural communication. often, "things just don't work that way" and if you try to force them (be it condoms or more direct communication) people and entire communities close up. it's counter-productive.
so where does that leave us? somewhere in the middle, no doubt. somewhere between beating around the bush and forcing it down people's throats. an art, if you will... subtle, flexible, courageous and compassionate. like giving your mother a condom and telling her to protect herself. ya Ilaah... [O Lord]
Showing posts with label babadjou. Show all posts
Showing posts with label babadjou. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
a family dinner
7/18/2002:
just came back from chez Tchouffo. chez nous [our place], that is. Tim, Sherrie and i, and the rest of the family. we all ate a wonderful dinner. pomme pile [sp?] and spaghetti. it's all about the company! and it was as close to a family dinner as – well, yes, a family dinner. jokes. smiles. laughs. jesting. kids making noise. AND even some awkward/dysfunctional moments.
i am much more comfortable know... in homestay. amongst Cameroonians. with myself in this culture/context. part of it is language. i speak french better. part of it is confidence. part understanding. i speak my mind more. yes, indirectly... through jokes and suggestion. but it's better than nothing, and getting better insha'Allah.
just came back from chez Tchouffo. chez nous [our place], that is. Tim, Sherrie and i, and the rest of the family. we all ate a wonderful dinner. pomme pile [sp?] and spaghetti. it's all about the company! and it was as close to a family dinner as – well, yes, a family dinner. jokes. smiles. laughs. jesting. kids making noise. AND even some awkward/dysfunctional moments.
i am much more comfortable know... in homestay. amongst Cameroonians. with myself in this culture/context. part of it is language. i speak french better. part of it is confidence. part understanding. i speak my mind more. yes, indirectly... through jokes and suggestion. but it's better than nothing, and getting better insha'Allah.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
1st Aid
7/15/2002:
1st Aid Session (Tate & Eli, in Babadjou)
1st Aid Session [outline above] went well, as well. i paid close attention for future reference. they spoke about the accident to close the session. powerful, moving experience.
i'm still ill.
1st Aid Session (Tate & Eli, in Babadjou)
- Story
- Intro: Purpose, Goals and Objectives
- Activity: Heimlich Maneuver and Abdominal Thrusts
- Scene Assessment
- Patient Assessment and Triage
- Splinting: Hard, Soft, Anatomic; Sling and Swathe
- Log Roll & Carry (moving a severely injured person)
- Cross Culture (expectations vs. reality)
- Q+A
1st Aid Session [outline above] went well, as well. i paid close attention for future reference. they spoke about the accident to close the session. powerful, moving experience.
i'm still ill.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
back in Babadjou
7/9/2002:
in Babadjou. got a "guest room" at the staff house by ADP [the local bar/restaurant]. good to be back here... stepped out to get bread and couldn't stop smiling. WOW!... 1 year. back in Babadjou.
talked to Jean for a little. just he and Pa Simon [peace corps drivers] here. Francois, Michelle and Jeane [peace corps trainers] upstairs. PCT's [peace corps trainees] at home... in bed?
finally got my package. a lot of music from OMZ. including his 2 singles with T. kinda cool... though i can't here it well. he's got a smooth/funky style. kinda funny... Omar Curly rapping!
by the way...
in Babadjou. got a "guest room" at the staff house by ADP [the local bar/restaurant]. good to be back here... stepped out to get bread and couldn't stop smiling. WOW!... 1 year. back in Babadjou.
talked to Jean for a little. just he and Pa Simon [peace corps drivers] here. Francois, Michelle and Jeane [peace corps trainers] upstairs. PCT's [peace corps trainees] at home... in bed?
finally got my package. a lot of music from OMZ. including his 2 singles with T. kinda cool... though i can't here it well. he's got a smooth/funky style. kinda funny... Omar Curly rapping!
by the way...
- that to do list in Bamenda... came close. close enough. will do more later.
- and the ups and downs "roller-coast" on.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
fam-fam well-well
4/7/2002:
went out to Babadjou today. happy i did. the fam-fam is well-well. Isma was in rare form. baby Rabiah [my newest host-sister] is growing... smiling a lot. Madame Susanee... still working. Mira is fine. Maya, too. Das... good but not working.
they were very kind. another slow Sunday there in the village. we ate a little achu. then spaghetti and white beans. they gave me a goose egg and a bottle full of peanuts. good people. long trip back... not a problem though. patient. quiet. sure i’d get back.
on vas fait comment? il faux supporte...
went out to Babadjou today. happy i did. the fam-fam is well-well. Isma was in rare form. baby Rabiah [my newest host-sister] is growing... smiling a lot. Madame Susanee... still working. Mira is fine. Maya, too. Das... good but not working.
they were very kind. another slow Sunday there in the village. we ate a little achu. then spaghetti and white beans. they gave me a goose egg and a bottle full of peanuts. good people. long trip back... not a problem though. patient. quiet. sure i’d get back.
on vas fait comment? il faux supporte...
Saturday, December 27, 2008
smells like Babadjou
3/7/2002:
been raining again. hasn’t done so in over a week . dust was coming back. anywho... all is well now. clouds are back. forgot how beautiful and spectacular the formations are/were.
cool in the morning. a bit. fresh, if you will. even smells like Babadjou in the morning. definitely feels like it. funny how the rain does that... remind me of Babadjou. changes this place entirely.
i know i’ve written about this. it is too uncanny. and, like i said... Wum is much better suited to the tropics.
“oubanga”... Aghem for white-man ["outsider"]. just met a couple of them from the SIL group doing their stage here. American and Canadian.
and, of course, i’ve already forgotten their names. typical. couldn’t catch someone’s name if it hit me in the face. i shwear!
been raining again. hasn’t done so in over a week . dust was coming back. anywho... all is well now. clouds are back. forgot how beautiful and spectacular the formations are/were.
cool in the morning. a bit. fresh, if you will. even smells like Babadjou in the morning. definitely feels like it. funny how the rain does that... remind me of Babadjou. changes this place entirely.
i know i’ve written about this. it is too uncanny. and, like i said... Wum is much better suited to the tropics.
“oubanga”... Aghem for white-man ["outsider"]. just met a couple of them from the SIL group doing their stage here. American and Canadian.
and, of course, i’ve already forgotten their names. typical. couldn’t catch someone’s name if it hit me in the face. i shwear!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
welcome in wum
1/18/2002:
in Bamenda. spent most of the day in Babadjou, though. alone... i mean that i was the only one from Bamenda to go down to the Swearing In Ceremony for the new agro-forestry volunteers. the ceremony was OK. unfortunately dampened by the accident 3 of the former-trainees got into a couple days ago.
they got pretty beat up in a crash b/w Mbouda to Babadjou. you know the road all too well from training. how bad the cars are. how fast they go. one of the trainees broke her jaw. another hurt his head/neck... pretty badly. they both were sent off ot DC today.
the third is in Yaounde... injuries not too serious. all the new volunteers are going to Yaounde actually. for some counseling sessions, understandably. a few seem like they really need it. especially the ones that were at the scene of the accident.
they’re pretty shaken. would not do well at post like that... alone. hope everything works out for them. those in DC and Yaounde. tough time for this stage. hope they stick together. i'm sure they will.
mama called... she’s fine! i’m a little tired. spent much of the day walking. around Bamenda in the AM and Babadjou/Mbouda PM. ate lunch at the Saladiere with Andre and Raymond. they’re coming to visit me at post soon. Das, too... i think.
it’ll go like this... Raymond during Youth Week. a handful of volunteers the week after (they're waking to Wum from Nkambe in 3-4 days!). Das during or before Eid. oh!... and Maggie [my new agroforestry post-mate] will be in Wum in another week or so. everyone’s coming to Wum. everyone’s welcome in Wum!
in Bamenda. spent most of the day in Babadjou, though. alone... i mean that i was the only one from Bamenda to go down to the Swearing In Ceremony for the new agro-forestry volunteers. the ceremony was OK. unfortunately dampened by the accident 3 of the former-trainees got into a couple days ago.
they got pretty beat up in a crash b/w Mbouda to Babadjou. you know the road all too well from training. how bad the cars are. how fast they go. one of the trainees broke her jaw. another hurt his head/neck... pretty badly. they both were sent off ot DC today.
the third is in Yaounde... injuries not too serious. all the new volunteers are going to Yaounde actually. for some counseling sessions, understandably. a few seem like they really need it. especially the ones that were at the scene of the accident.
they’re pretty shaken. would not do well at post like that... alone. hope everything works out for them. those in DC and Yaounde. tough time for this stage. hope they stick together. i'm sure they will.
mama called... she’s fine! i’m a little tired. spent much of the day walking. around Bamenda in the AM and Babadjou/Mbouda PM. ate lunch at the Saladiere with Andre and Raymond. they’re coming to visit me at post soon. Das, too... i think.
it’ll go like this... Raymond during Youth Week. a handful of volunteers the week after (they're waking to Wum from Nkambe in 3-4 days!). Das during or before Eid. oh!... and Maggie [my new agroforestry post-mate] will be in Wum in another week or so. everyone’s coming to Wum. everyone’s welcome in Wum!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
2nd year mark
here in Babadjou... in the place above ADP [the bar/restaurant we used to meet at in training]. Kay, Natalie and Traci are here. we’re doing the cross-cultural session on the Cycle of Adjustment with the new trainees tomorrow. then Kay and i will be here for the rest of the week. all is well.
haven’t written in this my Peace & Freedom journal for a while. just got it back from Kay. what can i say? i feel obliged to make note of the whole 1 year plus mark. it becomes especially evident here at PST [pre-service training], with all the new trainees. it’s been rough... these past few weeks. coming back from Mali. not going home. missing home. thinking about the year to come.
thinking that it may just FLY by. or that i may continue to question myself. all this. hmmm... i’d like to say that, again, all is well. i am happy and healthy... although sometimes a little less than both. but c’est la vie. all right... here’s to regular entries full of inspiration and enlightenment for ALL of us!
haven’t written in this my Peace & Freedom journal for a while. just got it back from Kay. what can i say? i feel obliged to make note of the whole 1 year plus mark. it becomes especially evident here at PST [pre-service training], with all the new trainees. it’s been rough... these past few weeks. coming back from Mali. not going home. missing home. thinking about the year to come.
thinking that it may just FLY by. or that i may continue to question myself. all this. hmmm... i’d like to say that, again, all is well. i am happy and healthy... although sometimes a little less than both. but c’est la vie. all right... here’s to regular entries full of inspiration and enlightenment for ALL of us!
aho!
Mohamad
6/8/2002
Babadjou
Mohamad
6/8/2002
Babadjou
Saturday, June 14, 2008
back in babadjou
10/27/2001:
cool, crisp Saturday morning in Babadjou. God, i missed this place!... more than i knew. and this family, too. the “small town-ness” is what i miss most, i think. that all the kids know your name. all the elders greet you. that winding dirt road to our neighborhood, i miss that too. the knob... seeing that from the endless different vantage points around babadjou. only difference really is the maize. it’s gone... and more of Babadjou appeared when it disappeared. neat... seasonal changes. not brilliant fall color but it’ll do.
Oh... my room. NEVER thought i’d miss that place! but i do and i’m even comfortable in it. i looked up in there once and thought about the next stagiere [trainee]. how awkward and uncomfortable it’ll 1st look and be. cold, too. i’m tempted to leave a note. about the room, the fam, the town... how it’ll all soon grow on you and then (probably right then) you’ll leave and miss it. it’ll be your room, your family and maybe even your town soon. but maybe they need to find that out on their own... whoever it is.
Kay and i had a small lunch in Mbouda yesterday. the fam at her place didn’t get in until later in the afternoon. we got in at like 10:30am. but i saw Felone running back to her house to see Kay... too cute. speaking of cute. Isma is adorable. bigger... that child is going to be a big girl. and talks A LOT... mostly patois. there are 2 things they can’t get her to stop doing; eating and speaking. the cutest age... also the terrible 2s though. and Mira is due in early December. can’t wait for that... happy and healthy baby and mom, insha’Allah. Petit isn’t here... in Douala. Maya is. Das and Madame Susanne are well... still working. the head of the family and the head of the family.
ate riz avec sauce de arachide yesterday. fine meal. today i hope to prep some coffee to take back with me. also thinking about buying the fam a new propane (refill, that is) bottle. to help out Mira a little... but i don’t want to rob the new trainee from the "country kitchen" experience. i sat there for a while myself yesterday. Mira promised she’d let the trainee work in there with Madame Susanne. no one can keep up with that lady... except maybe Isma. soon enough, insha'Allah.
cool, crisp Saturday morning in Babadjou. God, i missed this place!... more than i knew. and this family, too. the “small town-ness” is what i miss most, i think. that all the kids know your name. all the elders greet you. that winding dirt road to our neighborhood, i miss that too. the knob... seeing that from the endless different vantage points around babadjou. only difference really is the maize. it’s gone... and more of Babadjou appeared when it disappeared. neat... seasonal changes. not brilliant fall color but it’ll do.
Oh... my room. NEVER thought i’d miss that place! but i do and i’m even comfortable in it. i looked up in there once and thought about the next stagiere [trainee]. how awkward and uncomfortable it’ll 1st look and be. cold, too. i’m tempted to leave a note. about the room, the fam, the town... how it’ll all soon grow on you and then (probably right then) you’ll leave and miss it. it’ll be your room, your family and maybe even your town soon. but maybe they need to find that out on their own... whoever it is.
Kay and i had a small lunch in Mbouda yesterday. the fam at her place didn’t get in until later in the afternoon. we got in at like 10:30am. but i saw Felone running back to her house to see Kay... too cute. speaking of cute. Isma is adorable. bigger... that child is going to be a big girl. and talks A LOT... mostly patois. there are 2 things they can’t get her to stop doing; eating and speaking. the cutest age... also the terrible 2s though. and Mira is due in early December. can’t wait for that... happy and healthy baby and mom, insha’Allah. Petit isn’t here... in Douala. Maya is. Das and Madame Susanne are well... still working. the head of the family and the head of the family.
ate riz avec sauce de arachide yesterday. fine meal. today i hope to prep some coffee to take back with me. also thinking about buying the fam a new propane (refill, that is) bottle. to help out Mira a little... but i don’t want to rob the new trainee from the "country kitchen" experience. i sat there for a while myself yesterday. Mira promised she’d let the trainee work in there with Madame Susanne. no one can keep up with that lady... except maybe Isma. soon enough, insha'Allah.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
bye-bye babadjou
8/25/2001:
a little before 6am. Saturday morning. last day in Babadjou. PC will be here shortly to take my stuff. quiet night yesterday. Maya and Mirabelle were here when i got back from Dschang. Das didn’t come in until after i went to bed. packed my clothes yesterday. kinda sloppy. was just tired. long day wore me out... i missed prayer. the ceremony ended before noon, but i forgot it was Friday.
Mayor of Dschang spoke. then David. then Delegate from the ministry of education. then our Country Director. then our Ambassador. his “speech” was unimpressive. the delegate spoke well. David, too. Mike from the TEFL bunch even gave a little speech in French. we took many photos.
only once did i have to hold back the tears yesterday. not sure why exactly then... our CD was talking about our commitment to work on the HIV/AIDS issue here. maybe really the only solemn moment for me. the oath of service was too formal. but what the CD said touched me. it sounded heartfelt.
Monday, March 10, 2008
last saturday in babadjou
Cameroon 1884-1985: A Hundred Years of History
Dr. Victor Julius Ngoh
Pre-Colonial Cameroon
V.G. Fanso
8/18/2001:
above are a couple of books on Cameroonian history recommended by Benjamin, our pidgin language trainer. not sure how, but the topic came up in one of our one-on-one pidgin classes. anywho... i’ll look into the books.
i spent my last Saturday morning/afternoon here in Babadjou at home. some went to Mbouda. i washed clothes, my bedroom floor... and just hung out. need to start packing actually. we leave next Thursday. also need to send a few letters home before we leave. hope mail isn’t too bad at Wum.
Here's an interesting article on Cameroonian history, from a decidedly Anglophone (i.e. English-speaking or of the NW & SW provinces) perspective. Francophone vs. Anglophone politics is a volatile topic in Cameroon, and I'm not endorsing this article's perspective... simply sharing what I think reflects the history and culture of the part of Cameroon that I spent most of my time in.
Dr. Victor Julius Ngoh
Pre-Colonial Cameroon
V.G. Fanso
8/18/2001:
above are a couple of books on Cameroonian history recommended by Benjamin, our pidgin language trainer. not sure how, but the topic came up in one of our one-on-one pidgin classes. anywho... i’ll look into the books.
i spent my last Saturday morning/afternoon here in Babadjou at home. some went to Mbouda. i washed clothes, my bedroom floor... and just hung out. need to start packing actually. we leave next Thursday. also need to send a few letters home before we leave. hope mail isn’t too bad at Wum.
Here's an interesting article on Cameroonian history, from a decidedly Anglophone (i.e. English-speaking or of the NW & SW provinces) perspective. Francophone vs. Anglophone politics is a volatile topic in Cameroon, and I'm not endorsing this article's perspective... simply sharing what I think reflects the history and culture of the part of Cameroon that I spent most of my time in.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
is this peace corps?
8/11/2001:
did laundry this morning. that one light khaki cotton pair of pants is surprisingly tough to wash. sun was out bright, though, so at least everything (3 shirts, 3 pants) is fairly dry. after laundry i ate breakfast with the fam, bathed quickly and went to meet everyone for our “trip” to Mbouda. we ate well. i got Das’ rear-view mirrors made for the motorbike and i duplicated 2 keys for the main door.
got a chance to speak to Kristen for a bit today. we were caught in the rain waiting to meet everyone for the ride back. she’s really got a great outlook on being here and really doing something... she just gets work done, and well. really admire her.
anywho... we capped the day off at Robert’s birthday party. much food. ate a lot today, and i can’t help but feel a little guilty or at least self-conscious about that. also think about all the amenities we have in general. electricity, solid houses, beds, consumer goods, access to communication. all that.
i didn’t expect to be living this well, really. is this the peace corps experience? i know the answer to that question. it’s not about what you have, but what you make out of it. i still look forward to living simply.
i hear life is simpler in the North. and Diarou, who's from the north, tells me it is beautiful up there. need to get up there to visit and to work. Kristen and i also spoke of the possibility of moving on to another country here in Africa. i don’t know???... i want to be home too much. we’ll see after a year or 2.
oh... Diarou met dit ma mere PREGNANT! she looks it and that explains much.
did laundry this morning. that one light khaki cotton pair of pants is surprisingly tough to wash. sun was out bright, though, so at least everything (3 shirts, 3 pants) is fairly dry. after laundry i ate breakfast with the fam, bathed quickly and went to meet everyone for our “trip” to Mbouda. we ate well. i got Das’ rear-view mirrors made for the motorbike and i duplicated 2 keys for the main door.
got a chance to speak to Kristen for a bit today. we were caught in the rain waiting to meet everyone for the ride back. she’s really got a great outlook on being here and really doing something... she just gets work done, and well. really admire her.
anywho... we capped the day off at Robert’s birthday party. much food. ate a lot today, and i can’t help but feel a little guilty or at least self-conscious about that. also think about all the amenities we have in general. electricity, solid houses, beds, consumer goods, access to communication. all that.
i didn’t expect to be living this well, really. is this the peace corps experience? i know the answer to that question. it’s not about what you have, but what you make out of it. i still look forward to living simply.
i hear life is simpler in the North. and Diarou, who's from the north, tells me it is beautiful up there. need to get up there to visit and to work. Kristen and i also spoke of the possibility of moving on to another country here in Africa. i don’t know???... i want to be home too much. we’ll see after a year or 2.
oh... Diarou met dit ma mere PREGNANT! she looks it and that explains much.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
old blue eyes and lush green hills
8/10/2001:
i didn’t give my cross-cultural presentation today. we split up... most today, some Tuesday. me, Tuesday. did finish the write-up though. need to get it checked for content and translated with the help of our language trainers, Francois and Diarou.
Greg gave a great presentation on pets. very funny! Kristen’s on women and childbirth was great, too. she does everything well. we’re all sitting here in the back room of the bar in Babadjou. will be one of the last weekends we’ve got together. just a couple more Peace & Freedoms in this room.
on the ride back from the summer school in Santa we were listening to Frank Sinatra... surreal being moved by that and yet looking out onto the verdant hills and valleys of the Northwest province.
thought about my house to be and creating a garden around it. flowers and flowers... some veggie plots. probably b/c Rob’s presentation was about crops grown here in our area. i really need to get back into the field and among plants again.
the closest points to epiphanies i’ve gotten have been in the pee-shack at the summer school in among the maize. probably b/c i'm alone, the plants all around, quiet, and swaying in the wind. epiphanies at the pee-shack... what to say???
keep wondering when an epiphany will finally come. probably should stop looking for one. they will come in time. anywho... just want to get somewhere, feel comfortable, and be content about being there... and i’m sure plants will have much to do with that.
i didn’t give my cross-cultural presentation today. we split up... most today, some Tuesday. me, Tuesday. did finish the write-up though. need to get it checked for content and translated with the help of our language trainers, Francois and Diarou.
Greg gave a great presentation on pets. very funny! Kristen’s on women and childbirth was great, too. she does everything well. we’re all sitting here in the back room of the bar in Babadjou. will be one of the last weekends we’ve got together. just a couple more Peace & Freedoms in this room.
on the ride back from the summer school in Santa we were listening to Frank Sinatra... surreal being moved by that and yet looking out onto the verdant hills and valleys of the Northwest province.
thought about my house to be and creating a garden around it. flowers and flowers... some veggie plots. probably b/c Rob’s presentation was about crops grown here in our area. i really need to get back into the field and among plants again.
the closest points to epiphanies i’ve gotten have been in the pee-shack at the summer school in among the maize. probably b/c i'm alone, the plants all around, quiet, and swaying in the wind. epiphanies at the pee-shack... what to say???
keep wondering when an epiphany will finally come. probably should stop looking for one. they will come in time. anywho... just want to get somewhere, feel comfortable, and be content about being there... and i’m sure plants will have much to do with that.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
grading quizzes... missing babadjou
7/24/2001:
it’s late and i just finished grading 60-some odd quizzes for Form II Bio. ahhh... Lord.
i keep going a week b/w entries. we had another Peace & Freedom tonight... in the car port of the staff house because the back room at the restaurant/bar was occupied. went well anywho... intimate space but not private. if that’s possible. we spoke of being overwhelmed, frustrated and pressed for time... how American of us! “so much to do, so little time.”
Form II (about 12-13 year olds) was a little rough today... our lead tech trainer was watching. not very much help in terms of constructive criticism. don’t know what to say??? i’ve got issues with pace and board work... as always. no discomfort up there at all... just a little unfocused, i think.
i miss slow Saturdays here in Babdjou. i may even miss Babadjou when we leave. and i surely will miss all my fellow trainees and friends. no matter, though... “we are together.”
it’s late and i just finished grading 60-some odd quizzes for Form II Bio. ahhh... Lord.
i keep going a week b/w entries. we had another Peace & Freedom tonight... in the car port of the staff house because the back room at the restaurant/bar was occupied. went well anywho... intimate space but not private. if that’s possible. we spoke of being overwhelmed, frustrated and pressed for time... how American of us! “so much to do, so little time.”
Form II (about 12-13 year olds) was a little rough today... our lead tech trainer was watching. not very much help in terms of constructive criticism. don’t know what to say??? i’ve got issues with pace and board work... as always. no discomfort up there at all... just a little unfocused, i think.
i miss slow Saturdays here in Babdjou. i may even miss Babadjou when we leave. and i surely will miss all my fellow trainees and friends. no matter, though... “we are together.”
Saturday, February 16, 2008
voice of america
7/7/2001:
voice of america (VOA) news is on the radio this Saturday morning. picked it up on 5.97 SW1 (shortwave). i won't comment on VOA programming, except to say that i miss NPR.
anywho... haven’t written here in a few days. mainly b/c my free time has gone to writing letters and reading. 4th of July party was nice... had a good time cooking with the crew and enjoying the food with the trainers. Kristen made the badges. she’s great. also washed most of the dishes.
anywho... it’s Saturday morning (i’ve mentioned that) and i’ve got a slow weekend ahead of me. just need to do some laundry, wash my floor, study French, and prepare a lesson. most of the crew is going on a hike today... up towards the knob. supposed to be very pretty country. i’m staying right here, though. i’m sure there’ll be other opportunities.
voice of america (VOA) news is on the radio this Saturday morning. picked it up on 5.97 SW1 (shortwave). i won't comment on VOA programming, except to say that i miss NPR.
anywho... haven’t written here in a few days. mainly b/c my free time has gone to writing letters and reading. 4th of July party was nice... had a good time cooking with the crew and enjoying the food with the trainers. Kristen made the badges. she’s great. also washed most of the dishes.
anywho... it’s Saturday morning (i’ve mentioned that) and i’ve got a slow weekend ahead of me. just need to do some laundry, wash my floor, study French, and prepare a lesson. most of the crew is going on a hike today... up towards the knob. supposed to be very pretty country. i’m staying right here, though. i’m sure there’ll be other opportunities.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
babadjou
6/23/2001:another pleasant afternoon here in babadjou. the sun is out, it's warm and there’s a gentle breeze rustling through the corn stalks and banana leaves. Isma’s going between me – on the porch, alone – and a few women – Mirabelle, Mme. Suzanne, etc. – sitting in the shade of the young papaya in front of the kitchen. my hands/arms hurt from doing laundry this morning. wringing out my clothes wrung out my muscles.
this is my first real day off. in hindsight, last weekend (with all the ceremony here) didn’t count as a holiday. this is the pace i couldn’t wait to live at as early as the trip from the airport in Yoaunde. i do, of course, have some work to do... French, tech, cross-culture. but peace and serenity come first. i’m to help Mirabelle prepare supper in about an hour... rice and peanut sauce. i’m afraid the dried fish i brought her back from the market will also end up in the sauce...
we’re all wearing a piece of fabric identical to a dress Valerie (Yoyo’s widow) is wearing. it’s to reflect/commemorate our common loss. more than anything, it keeps her and all the pain she is and will have to suffer through on my mind... it reflects that even though we may all be in this together, she bears the burden most significantly.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
a few good maps
so where in the world is cameroon? or yaounde, douala, bamenda, babadjou and wum? all names of places that have come up in past posts. all very good questions. a friend suggested that i post a map up here to help situate readers. definitely.
there are a few good maps at the Atlas of Cameroon (on Wikimedia Commons).
two things are worth noting as you browse the maps. first, i didn't really know where i was – geographically, at least – at this point in my journey. it was still too early. besides, maps weren't readily available and, if there were any, Babadjou didn't appear on them. it was too small.
that said, and this is the second point worth noting to help with the maps, i did learn that i was in the West province. in an administrative division called Bamboutos. not far from the capital of that division, Mbouda. the next town over from Babadjou. and very close to the border with the Northwest province.
there are a few good maps at the Atlas of Cameroon (on Wikimedia Commons).
two things are worth noting as you browse the maps. first, i didn't really know where i was – geographically, at least – at this point in my journey. it was still too early. besides, maps weren't readily available and, if there were any, Babadjou didn't appear on them. it was too small.
that said, and this is the second point worth noting to help with the maps, i did learn that i was in the West province. in an administrative division called Bamboutos. not far from the capital of that division, Mbouda. the next town over from Babadjou. and very close to the border with the Northwest province.
Friday, February 1, 2008
no smile :(
6/8/2001:
i’m not unhappy, but i’m not smiling either. i wasn’t smiling towards the end of my stay in the US and now no smiles here??? a friend said i should just force myself to smile and be happy, then it would come! :)
we went to get our ID’s at the station today. Syria all over again. files everywhere, fingerprint stains on the wall, and that faint smell of sewage in the streets... even the condescending civil servants. went to jum’aa with Omaru. nice man. no english. me no french. khutba was short. mosque small. i’m itching to get out and explore.
we’re leaving for Babadjou in the morning. was nervous about it at some point today but no longer. survival french class today was rough. just couldn’t keep up. any confidence i had about picking up the language quickly was diffused, quickly.
feeling OK now, though. i’m just not down with how prolonged this whole process has been... 2 days staging, 5 days here, and now homestay. i know i’ve got so much more to learn but i’m itching to get in the classroom and teach. i’m uplifted just thinking about it.
i’m not unhappy, but i’m not smiling either. i wasn’t smiling towards the end of my stay in the US and now no smiles here??? a friend said i should just force myself to smile and be happy, then it would come! :)
we went to get our ID’s at the station today. Syria all over again. files everywhere, fingerprint stains on the wall, and that faint smell of sewage in the streets... even the condescending civil servants. went to jum’aa with Omaru. nice man. no english. me no french. khutba was short. mosque small. i’m itching to get out and explore.
we’re leaving for Babadjou in the morning. was nervous about it at some point today but no longer. survival french class today was rough. just couldn’t keep up. any confidence i had about picking up the language quickly was diffused, quickly.
feeling OK now, though. i’m just not down with how prolonged this whole process has been... 2 days staging, 5 days here, and now homestay. i know i’ve got so much more to learn but i’m itching to get in the classroom and teach. i’m uplifted just thinking about it.
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