Here is a comprehensive list of every singe blog post I’ve ever written. Happy Reading!
Beginning of an End
After the successful distribution of books, I headed to Yaoundé for Close-of-Service (COS) conference with my fellow ’08-’10 SED/ED volunteers. To celebrate having endured Cameroon for nearly two years, Peace Corps put us up in a nice hotel in Yaoundé. While one of the nicest hotels in Cameroon, in comparison…
Understanding Big Chairs
Laura: What are we going to do when it’s not socially acceptable to drink a cold Castel on the beach at 10 in the morning? I have been back in village for a week now after the whirlwind of COS conference, and I have never missed Americans this much…
Language, Culture & the World
Hello readers, if you are still out there! I know going on a hiatus is not the smartest way to build readership in a newly established blog. Yes, I do have some excuses: I brought books to Cameroon, went to a conference with fellow Peace Corps volunteers, and…slow Cameroonian Internet…
81 Days & Counting
It’s been pretty quiet around here au village these days. With my projects mostly wrapped up and not enough time to really do much else, I am relishing in these last 81 days of freedom and embracing every bit of boredom that I may feel. Chances are, my life will…
Stepping Back: Paris
Paris, the city of lights. Some claims it as one of the world’s most romantic cities. Exactly a year ago, I had the great pleasure of stopping in on this enchanting city during a layover en route to Taiwan. Since I had been to Paris before, I avoided all touristy…
Visa Fun
One of the things that come within the territory of being a globetrotter is taking care of paperwork – visa is one of them. To apply for a student visa for the UK, one needs to apply 3 months prior to the start of the course. Unfortunately, for me, those…
Traveling Blahs
Bientôt, I’ll be in Cameroon for two years. I’ve seen and experienced so much over the past two years that it now takes a lot for me to freak out about something – mice, bugs, obnoxiousness, strange animals being held on the road for sale – you name it, I’ve…
Sandwich Art
We Peace Corps Volunteers get very creative in our leisure activities and are very easily amused people. Few weeks ago, David and Jim decided to make sandwiches. That sounds like a pretty ordinary activity, n’est-ce pas? mais non, not in Peace Corps land. We didn’t just make sandwiches, we replicated…
Stepping Back: London
With my time in the Peace Corps coming to an end, I’ve begun to look forward to the next phase of my life. I’ll be returning to my beloved city of London to pursue a masters program at the London School of Economics and Political Science. I am so so…
Realities of Development
Yesterday, a former student from my business class called and wanted to set up a meeting. I happily agreed, only to realize that he probably is trying to get me to do something. It’s rare that people in this village are that motivated. I was right. Him and another…
World Cup Frenzy
This year is the first time that an Africa nation has hosted the world cup. I am sure you are all well aware of the significance. Being in Cameroon, one of the 7 African countries that had advanced to the World Cup, is quite exciting. I have never watched so…
The End Is Near
Earlier this evening, I was working on my post book for my replacement. This is a document filled with a wealth of information about my village and life in general in Cameroon – anything from the minor kinks of the house to where to buy grocery, my favorite bar lady,…
Cameroon: The Extreme North
I’m in the process of making a slide show with pictures from my two years in Cameroon. I realized I had never written about my trip to the Extreme North. While looking at these pictures, I was amazed at how surreal that trip now feels. It was nearly a year…
Send Off
Few weeks ago, Antoine, a driver for the Peace Corps who happens to be the chief of my neighborhood threw me a going-away party at his house. True to Cameroonian form, I was unaware of the time and whether I was suppose to invite people myself until the day before…
Sounds of Cameroon
The great thing about having to uproot your life every few years is that you take things for granted less, and the departure always make you take notice on insignificant details of daily life. The other day, my fellow PCVs were discussing how we wish we can record the sounds…