10/2/2001:
found out that it actually wasn’t a stolen car the night before last. some high-ranking civil servant (forgot who exactly... the chief of gendarmes?) just wrecked his car... drinking, perhaps. speeding like that at that hour and in those conditions. it’s been raining so much recently. but it’s October and soon that’ll stop.
this morning i did a mini-round of protocol. the Commissioner of Police and the 2nd Assistant DO requested i visit them. the Commissioner is a muslim man from Foumban... where the Sultan’s Palace is in the West. he’s a prince/chief there. big man... literally and figuratively. the 2nd Assistant DO is also Francophone, from Bambotous actually.
seems he wants me to help him with his English. it isn’t that great for a man in his position, i suppose. everyone wants my help in language! i need help in language... trying to speak French to both men was rough. my French is horrible. don’t know when or how to get started on working on it???
taught a lesson on insects today. went well... actually prepared ahead of time. group work. live specimens. teaching and learning aids. lecture... all that. gotta start testing them though. next week, insha’Allah. i need more gelatin for the hectograph.
not sure if i’m going down to Bamenda this weekend. i do want my mail and a few things (PB, blender, books and to see a PCV or two), but Teacher’s Day is Friday and that means i’d have to travel Saturday and return on Sunday. no weekend here. short time there??? we’ll see...
Showing posts with label protocol. Show all posts
Showing posts with label protocol. Show all posts
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Monday, February 4, 2008
rituals, protocol, drums and sleep
6/17/2001:
they’re still drumming in the salon down the hall. it’s 10:15pm on Sunday night. didn’t get any studying done this weekend. or laundry. no excuse but things have been a little hectic around the compound this weekend. we buried Yoyo yesterday. the rituals never seem to end. feel bad for Das and the family. it’ll be a week total that they mourn and keep accepting visitors.
today Madame Susan shaved her head. Das and the rest of the family (don’t know who exactly) will also be shaving soon. all this is also taking place over at Tonya’s place, too. her host-father (Francois’ dad) passed away the night before last. PC’s been making a lot of visits to both our homes. the CD will be here tomorrow and i expect he’ll be at Francois’ place... not sure about here, though.
Tonya was saying that she doesn’t know why people seem so worried about her mental or emotional state. i feel the same way. i’m especially vexed when they (PC staff) express their condolences to me in front of my host-family... especially because they’ve neglected to pay a family member present the same respect on 2 occasions. alas... it seems we make up a lot of the protocol as we go along here.
the family’s been very patient with me in that respect. only one major faux pas on my part so far... attempting to sit in Das’ stool (a traditional chair reserved for the man of the house) twice!! ...that got a few laughs from everyone in the room :)
i’ve been debating whether to talk about this whole mourning/funeral experience for my 5-10 minute peer-teaching topic on Tuesday. so much observed and so much to say, but so many gaps in my comprehension.
and on maybe the only positively productive note for this weekend, i wrote a letter to Omar and finished mama’s letter. Omar’s is all about the smells here. i think he’ll enjoy it. so many people to write to... the drumming is starting again. it puts me to sleep nicely. no bad dreams thus far.
they’re still drumming in the salon down the hall. it’s 10:15pm on Sunday night. didn’t get any studying done this weekend. or laundry. no excuse but things have been a little hectic around the compound this weekend. we buried Yoyo yesterday. the rituals never seem to end. feel bad for Das and the family. it’ll be a week total that they mourn and keep accepting visitors.
today Madame Susan shaved her head. Das and the rest of the family (don’t know who exactly) will also be shaving soon. all this is also taking place over at Tonya’s place, too. her host-father (Francois’ dad) passed away the night before last. PC’s been making a lot of visits to both our homes. the CD will be here tomorrow and i expect he’ll be at Francois’ place... not sure about here, though.
Tonya was saying that she doesn’t know why people seem so worried about her mental or emotional state. i feel the same way. i’m especially vexed when they (PC staff) express their condolences to me in front of my host-family... especially because they’ve neglected to pay a family member present the same respect on 2 occasions. alas... it seems we make up a lot of the protocol as we go along here.
the family’s been very patient with me in that respect. only one major faux pas on my part so far... attempting to sit in Das’ stool (a traditional chair reserved for the man of the house) twice!! ...that got a few laughs from everyone in the room :)
i’ve been debating whether to talk about this whole mourning/funeral experience for my 5-10 minute peer-teaching topic on Tuesday. so much observed and so much to say, but so many gaps in my comprehension.
and on maybe the only positively productive note for this weekend, i wrote a letter to Omar and finished mama’s letter. Omar’s is all about the smells here. i think he’ll enjoy it. so many people to write to... the drumming is starting again. it puts me to sleep nicely. no bad dreams thus far.
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