The American Party
July 5, 2008
I spent yet another 4th of July holiday abroad; at least I remembered this year, that’s more than last year. How could I forget this year? I am surrounded by Americans! In celebration, we got some ground beef and made burgers. Siobhan made mine but she was impatient, so ours weren’t cooked all the way. Luckily, I am not sick,…
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Sans Electricity? Sans Problem!
June 29, 2008
I cannot lament enough on how wonderful technology is! This past week was long, and there were moments when I thought, “what in the world am I doing here?” “Why did I give up hot shower/microwave/all forms of modern conveniences to learn a 4th language and to live in this outrageous place?” This is a wild place and despite my…
Read MoreProgress!
June 29, 2008
I am concluding my 3rd week in-country! I am starting to feel more settled, and started having moments when I thought, “omg, what am I doing? I am suppose to live this for TWO YEARS?” People in this group are really great and I am getting quite comfortable with this solid support group. It’s slightly terrifying to think that in…
Read MoreYou are in Peace Corps Cameroon PST when…
June 28, 2008
38 people applaud for bite-sized Snickers bars eating burnt cow-corn for snack, loaded in salt fresh milk, cheese, pop-tarts, pizza, hamburger, olive oil, etc. become pure delicacy getting creative with your food, making every combination imaginable of eggs, tomato, avocado, Laughing-Cow-Cheese, and baguettes glad the person waking up with cockroach on the face or mice tickling their feet wasn’t you…
Read MoreThank you, Bluetooth!
June 24, 2008
Apology is hereby extended for my lack of updates last week. I spent the better part of the week attempting to connect my Macbook to the Internet via the cell phone. With Bluetooth technology, someone else in the group found a way to connect. I had quite the trouble, but at last, I figured it out. As to not bore…
Read MoreA Very Bumpy Road
June 14, 2008
It’s a Saturday, but since we are on Cameroonian schedule, we have half day of language lessons. The last time I had to go to school on a Saturday was in 10 years ago in Taiwan. Oh, half-day-Saturdays, how I do not miss thee. After language lessons, the ED people were invited to a ceremony at a school in Bafousmann…
Read MoreGrilled Fish & Cold Shower
June 13, 2008
The ridiculous yet absolutely amazing-ness continues. Right now, I am writing from my bed, underneath my lovely mosquito net (I see why people get addicted and can’t sleep without it). The room is dark and lit only by my hand-cranked lamp and pre-charged mackbook because the electricity keeps cutting out since it’s raining/thundering. It’s raining season here in Banganté and…
Read MoreThe Real Cameroonian Life
June 12, 2008
Phew! I survived my first day at the homestay. I’m currently writing from my new room, sitting on a full size bed, under a mosquito net. The last time I slept under a mosquito net was when I slept in my grandmother’s room circa 1995 or perhaps earlier. This is a strange experience. My entire day reminded me an awful…
Read MoreLa Japonaise!
June 11, 2008
Today, I had those favorite moments of mine where I felt like I was in a movie, and everything was absolutely surreal. Visit to the Market After training, the two hosting PCVs took a few of us to the market. We walked approximately 10 minutes down the busy main street to get there. The market was amazingly exotic yet familiar…
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