Important Announcment! And some fun in Yaounde&Bamenda :)

Picture this...

Sunday morning: The rain tapping on your roof has woken you up, not in a startling way, it's more of a soothing sound that reminds you where you are...Buea, Cameroon during the wet season. After untangling yourself in the sheets you make your way to your closet of a kitchen. All you want is to go to the coffee shop on the corner, order a hot mocha, relax and people watch. But you know, there is no coffee shop within 70km... what do you do?

Solution...

You make do with what you have (nescafe instant coffee, powered milk and nescquick), sit on your balcony, take a look around and enjoy every moment of your one and only precious life.

Internship with Green Cameroon
The days of my (second) internship here in Buea have been winding down. I encourage everyone to check out Green Cameroon's website and sign up for their newsletter! They are doing fantastic work in Buea and need interns all year around.

As part of my internship with GC, I have been researching grants and potential donors, creating partnerships around the globe and have increased and expanded Green Cameroon's volunteer/intern platform and overall visibility. I will continue working with them on the side when I have free time.

On the last days of my internship, we received good news from GlobalGiving (an online NGO/project fundraising website) that we had been selected to compete in their September Open Challenge as a trial period to be a partner on their site. So keep an eye open for Green Cameroon's projects on GlobalGiving and be sure to give a little in September! Being on GlobalGiving is a huge opportunity to get seriously needed funding for some great projects.

My colleagues and boss

I made a quick mid-week trip to Yaounde to try to figure out my visa extension. Turns out it will be easier and pretty much the same price for me to just apply for a residence permit as opposed to two 6-month visas.

Bamenda and First Communion
I was in Buea just for one night and then took the night bus to Bamenda. Monica and I bought our tickets earlier in the day so we could save a good seat, but even the good seat was hard to sleep in. We left the park at about 10pm but didnt get 'on the road' until a bout 10:30pm. There was some sort of problem (as there always is)...we were either waiting for the driver himself or another passenger. The last time I went to Bamenda I was very very cold on the bus, so this time I was sure to prepare and bring a hat and scarf. Those are 2 things I didn't think I would need those things over here but they sure come in handy. We arrived at the bus station in Bamenda just around 5am. I made a friend on the bus, Amelia*, and she found us a bike to take to our hotel. The hotel woman was sleeping when we arrived but she kindly let us check in early and gave us the room at a discounted price. We slept a bit and then walked all over Bamenda. Up and down Commercial Avenue, and through the central market. We took moto-bikes up to Uptown Station (aka Uptown) to see the beautiful view of the whole city.

View of Bamenda from UpStation

We stopped at a couple of craft shops and made out way to Mama's house in Bellow Fonchum (I dont think that is the correct spelling but its just an area in Bamenda). After dropped off the goodies I brought for them (papaya and smoked fish) we headed back to the market where I found some beautiful fabric and the perfect gift for Angel's First Communion. I bought her a beautiful gold (in color) watch with pink. I had them remove some watch links since she is so little.

Saturday was more bumming around the city and just checking things out. It is a huge city but the weather was absolutely beautiful! Sure it rained here and there, but the sun came out!! I hadn't seen the sun since JUNE living in Buea. It was just a wonderful sunny weekend. We bought Monica's bus ticket, spent more time in the market and met up with Amelia. Mama and the girls prepared delicious ndole for Monica and I before she took the night bus back to Buea. I went to sleep early to prepare for the festivities the following day.

Sunday, I woke up early, ran to the bus park to buy my night bus ticket (and get a good seat) then back to the house to bucket bathe and get ready.

I had an amazing breakfast of fresh Cameroonian coffee, groundnut paste and bread.

Me, enjoying the sun, Bamenda and life!!

Mama's brother runs the Linguistic Center in Bamenda and was hosting a Togolese priest who was doing his masters in Yaounde and trying to learn English. He is from Lomé, the capital . I chatted with him for a bit and reminisced about Togo, Benin and Voodoo. That is a region I would most definitely LOVE to go back to someday. 

Then we all headed to church as a family. It was the same church I went to last time but the mass was not in Pidgin this time.

Angel looked like an angel.

Mama making announcements during church.

All of those receiving their first communion

Family

Angel and I

After church we strolled back to the house and carried food from neighbors houses to Mama and Papa's house (where the party was to be held).

The Good News Bible Cake sent from family in Douala!

Angel's Mom and Dad - Mom came from Tanzania for the celebration!

 

There were many similarities I could spot between my first communion and Angle's. The obvious were things you see in the pictures... white dress, church ceremony, bible cake, celebration with friends and family afterwards, gifts, food, etc. But we are in Cameroon, so not everything was the same...  There was of course way more DANCING!!

 

Just as I thought the party was 'coming to an end'... Kevin* ( calls for me "Anto (thats my nickname there) - come outside you will really enjoy this" - so of course I follow....

Walking through the front gate into the yard is a crowd of people, some with drums, some singing and others dancing. Amongst them were two jujus. A woman and man (both were men but one was dressed as the female). They had huge masks on and were dancing around combing each others hair and having others comb their hair. As you will see in the video (I apologize for the poor quality, it was filmed from a cell phone since my camera was dead), they spotted the 'whiteman' and ran to dance with me. The random things that happen here, they really put a huge smile on your face...

*BIG NEWS*

For those of you who don't know, this is my second time in Cameroon and when I bought my ticket to come, I only bought a one way.
I wanted/hoped for something big to happen here. Here as in "West/Central Africa" - a job anywhere!
My money was going to run out in August/September so if I didnt find one by then, I would head back the US.
I was applying everywhere but always found myself under qualified (either lacking a masters, a fluent 2nd language or work experience).
In July I applied to be a "YAN Fellow" with Youth Advocacy Network, an American NGO that operates in Buea. Youth Advocacy Network (YAN) started in 200 and works as a vehicle of youth empowerment by teaching young children the power of social justice, social media and computers at large.

I've recently accepted their offer of employment and will be working as a YAN Fellow from September 15th, 2013 until July 15th, 2014. From the title of the position, its clear that it is not a career by any means. I will receive rent and a small stipend for my work but I'm sure it will give me invaluable experience and get me that much closer to the dream jobs that in actuality, still don't pay a lot, but enough to survive and pay off those student loans.

I am more than ecstatic about this position and the opportunity to live in Buea, Cameroon for an entire more year doing something I love - inspiring the next generation to bring about social change through computers and the internet IN AFRICA. :D It's a dream come true!

I would like to take this time to quote the king of reggae himself Bob Marley by reminding everyone to:

"Live the life you love, love the life you live"

If you succeed at doing this, then you my friend, are leading a
successful life regardless of what others around you say!

I've also decided to add something to my bucket list...

- Learn to drive a moto bike (well) and rent one to take on the Ring Road during the dry season for a week or so. Wear helmet during this adventure.  

The Cultural Festival in Mamfe that I was supposed to go earlier this week was postponed. Which was a good thing - I got sick once I returned from Bamenda because I took the night bus and sat by the window = it was cooooold! and no sleep. There was a death in the village so they postponed the activities to Fri-Sun so I am leaving tonight and just starting for feel better.

*Names changed for privacy

PEACE and LOVE <3  

Cameroon Bucket List: 2013-2014

I started this list when I arrived in March... 

Things have been added. Others have been crossed out.
Some are ongoing/continuous and will never be crossed out.

It's been rewritten, and now I've decided to publish it on my blog!

Cameroon Bucket List 2013-14

1. Visit all 10 regions in Cameroon
2. Improve my French
3. Attend as many cultural events as possible
4. Blog 2x/month or more
5. Attend a funeral
6. Attend a wedding
7. Be part of a wedding
8. Watch a football (aka soccer match in Yaounde
9. Take the train to the North
   
10. Hitchhike (just from point a to point b)
11. Do the Ring Road (Northwest Region)
12. Do yoga/meditate weekly
13. See Sexion D'Assaut (WATI-B) in concert in Yaounde
14. talk pidgin fine ooo
15. Climb Mount Cameroon (summit not necessarily included)
16. DRiVE!!
17. Get tear gassed by Cameroonian Police
18. Get beat by Cameroonian Police
19. Try to learn a dialect (Bakosi)
20. Successfully cook Cameroonian food
21. Drive a legitimate taxi (picking people up and dropping them off) for one run (Mile 17 to Buea Town)
22. Learn to ride a moto bike (well). Rent one to take on the Ring Road for a week or so. Wear helmit during adventure.
23. Open a bottle with my teeth   

Thats all for now...

This is a list that will be updated and added to throughout the next year.

What else do you think I should add?

If you were living in Cameroon... 

what you have on your bucket list?? 

A Cameroonian treat for ALL of your senses...

Last weekend I went to Malinde, a village about 40min North on the road to Kumba, to visit one of the girls from my workshops whom I had kept in contact with. She visits me from time to time in Buea and I told her I would meet her family and her son in their village. I finally got to Mile 17 (at the end of town where you can catch taxis and buses to just about anywhere in the country) and found the vehicles going to Kumba. I know the price is 700cfc to Malinde but the driver insisted I pay 1,000cfc (whiteman price)...I refused and waited for the next bus who happily took me for the correct price. I was about half way there, bag full of bread in my hand when I realized... I am becoming Cameroonian! Without a single thought of resistance, hesitation, unexpectedness or surprise... I had bought bread for the family (it's expected and tradition to always bring something when you are visiting or when you have just returned from traveling) and had been speaking in pidgin (or at least attempting to) nearly the whole time looking for and negotiating my ride and while in the bus

I visited the family of 8 (although not everyone was around) for about 6 hours. I tried Egossi Pudding for the first time and it was fantastic! Hopefully I will learn to prepare it next time I visit. After visiting with just Janet* and her son for a couple of hours, her Papa returned from work and was excited to show me the family's garden which was full of orange, mango and coconut trees, corn, egossi and more. Soon after, the rest of the family returned from the farm. One by one her sisters started coming in carrying an assortment of things on their heads. The family was, surprise surprise, extremely welcoming and kind. Dinah has a twin sister who also has a little boy. The 2 boys were showing me some dance moves as their mothers played Nigerian hiphop from their phones. When it came time for me to leave, I did not leave empty handed. They send me along with 2 papayas, a coconut, 3 egossi puddings, a pound of boil groundnuts, more than 20 bananas and more than enough money for transport. I am looking forward to going back for another visit and spending 2 or more days there. I unfortunately still dont have a camera but should be getting one soon. I wish I could have documented the visit with photos, but I will always have visuals in my mind.

Your ears will love to listen to the play list I made of several beautiful African artists from all over the continent and beyond. I made just for you guys, to get a little sense of the talent and diversity that comes from this magnificent and breathtaking land called Africa. Watch their dance moves and give it a try yourself! The Azonto is a dance everyone should learn.

CLiCK HERE

(it wont allow me to post the video compilation so just click the link and enjoy!)

Let your hands touch the ingredients and prepare Mbongo Chobi while your taste buds savor the results of this delicious masterpiece and my favorite Cameroonian dish:

Mbongo (T)Chobi

Ingredients 
5 Mud Fish (any fish will do, but this kind is traditionally used)
2-3 Mbongo Chabi Spice Packets (can find at African herb stores)
2-3 small onions
3-4 garlic cloves
White pepper
6-8 tomatoes
150 grams njansang/djanssan (also found at African herb stores)
10 ripe plantains
optional: 3 cubes Maggie and/or salt (to taste)

Directions 
Cut fish into small pieces, clean and gut.
Wash and peel garlic and ginger and place in a blender with onions.
Blend together white pepper and small amount of water.
First prepare you spices by placing djanssan in a coffee grinder (or pestle and mortar) and grind to a powder.
Chop tomatoes into 1inch cubes or smaller.
Add tomatoes to blended mixture and blend again.
Put oil in pot and simmer.
Add 2-3 mbongo spice packets and djanssan into the tomato puree and blend until its properly mixed into a dark paste.
Add 1 spoonful of pepe, salt and Maggie to taste. Mix well.
Poor sauce over fish.
Add sauce and fish to pot with oil.
Cover and cook until fish is done but do not stir because the fish will break into small pieces.
Add a little water if the sauce is too thick then cover and cook on a low heat for 30 minutes.
Peel and boil plantains until done.
At the end of the cooking time check the consistency of the sauce then serve immediately with plantains. (Also served with rice and dodo)

This weekend I went to a funeral in Kumba. I traveled to Kumba in 2011 but I have very faint memories or the city (or 'big village' as its referred to) itself - it was around Christmas time and there was a trade fair going on. My friends/family from the wedding in Douala came from Douala to pick me and other family members to head to Kumba together. It took about 1 hour to get there, but that was private car - public transport would naturally take longer since it stops often. Upon arriving we stopped at a relatives house to quickly greet, drop off some things and have a glass of wine. Then we dropped off some family off at one house and the 5 that were left continued to my friend Josh*, Amanda* and Michelle's*  house. The three of them are siblings and it was their Grandma who passed.
Friday was the "Keep Wake" which is a huge outside event (rain or shine) at the deceased's house. There were tons of tents put up, a marching band, DJ and live singer. It was huge!! We visited with family, ate and danced all night. It's called a "Keep Wake" because you are supposed to stay awake all night. The marching band moved from tent to tent. When it would head towards another tent, people would pick up all the chairs, move them to the outside and from a dancing circle around the band who would play in the middle. I was getting dance lessons from a few people and had some fantastic conversations (a lot of it in Pidgin!) with new friends. I made it until about 3am, which was better than the wedding (where the same 'all nighter' tradition is practiced).
Everyone seemed to have a slow start of the morning but soon the women were cooking/cleaning and the men took their post relaxing/sleeping in various places around the house. There was a pig slaughtered in the late morning, I watched intentivly like at the wedding. After the funeral service there was the burial. Afterwards, I went to the market with a friend so I could see a bit of Kumba before I left. Their market is huge, beautiful, cheap and PAVED! dat makit no git poto poto. Muea makit git plenty poto poto pas dat won. A feast was prepared for all guests, subsequently we drove back to Buea arriving just around night fall.
Good news, 2 friends/sisters of mine are getting married this December/January!! I'm so happy I will be there for them, can't wait to attend!

I have a busy couple of weeks. Last day with Green Cameroon, Yaounde for visa/residence permit questions, Douala for a craft market and good Indian food,  then to Bamenda for the weekend for Angel's first communion. Come back for maybe a day before heading to Kumba then Mamfe for a cultural festival!

Hope to be getitng a camera in the mail soon..

I miss taking and posting photos! Hope this 

isn't too boring to read without photos!

* Names changed for privacy purposes.