PICTURES:
1. The commissioners (a capella group)
2. Serve the Orphans Foundation marching in the rain on National Day
3. My view one early morning
4. Talla farms...lots of corn and huts
5. The 'doctor' in Talla at one of his infant welfare clinics, he's weighting a smol pikin.
6 Months “Au Village”
As the days near the big red mark on June 14th (for reasons aside from Lexie’s birthday and the unfortunately non-recognized holiday of Flag day), I begin to reflect on 6 months in Ndu—thus what the red mark stands for, in case you were wondering. So, I’ve compiled a list of some of the 40 wonderful things I’ve learned over the past half-year in Ndu. While the list isn’t all-inclusive and I’m sure I forgot some key things, it gets to the point, which is…well, I’m not really sure. There is a point to it all, although I am beginning to think that I may not find out until I’m packing my bags in 2007, or possibly much later. But for now, here’s some lessons learned after 6 months au village.
1. There is such a thing as a stupid question. Below are a few that you just shouldn’t bother asking. They are, by definition, stupid questions.
*Will there be palm wine?
*Will there be kola nuts? *Will there be corn foufou?
*Is it too early for a beer?
*What time does it start/will we leave/will it end?
*Does this match?
2. Kids in America snack on fruit snacks and juice boxes, kids in Cameroon snack on sugar cane, fried fish heads, and anything they pick up off the ground.
3. “Ca va” and “Ashia” are always appropriate responses.
4. It’s ok to yell—they probably deserve it.
5. Careless squatting never did anyone any good—likewise, wash your shoes often.
6. Don’t plug your Ipod into anything, just don’t.
7. Eto’o Fils. Enough said.
8. Vache Qui Rit and Coca Light weirdly taste like pumpkin pie when taken together.
9. There is a proper way to burn trash.
10. They’ll flat out laugh in your face…just accept it.
11. Running water is a wonderful thing. So are clean carpets, sinks, hot showers, ice cubes, and seatbelts.
12. Nothing happens on time. Nothing.
13. National holiday or church event to attend? Bring snacks and a good book.
14. After a while it is possible to block out children screaming, “White” or “Kingba.”
15. Don’t waste energy fighting about women’s rights with men who’ve been at the bar for more than an hour or are obviously slurring and/or telling you about the power provided eating by bush meat. It’s a worthless struggle.
16. There’s no poverty, crime or sadness in America. Amazing huh?
17. Who needs an alarm clock when you have children pounding water jugs on the side of your house at 5:45 AM?
18. You can never have too many mangos.
19. It is possible to transport up to 15 people in/on a two-door Toyota. Plus goats.
20. Calling someone “my friend” usually means you want something.
21. There’s something about a Phil Collins song playing from a hut as you walk in the rain that can really brighten your day, you know?
22. It is possible to go through 5000 CFA phone credit in less than a week and not actually talk to anyone.
23. You can win 2 games of Spider Solitaire in a row—and few games are as addicting.
24. The phrase, “Don’t be a fool, stay in school” has NEVER meant so much to me.
25. There’s a real joy in ironing.
26. Take advantage of sunny days to dry clothes. There’s nothing like a mildewy towel to ruin a nice bucket bath.
27. Pretending you can’t hear and/or don’t understand can get you out of a fair amount of unwanted conversation.
28. Lying is completely acceptable.
29. Careful with a camera—they’ll make you ‘snap’ and ask you, one million times, for a copy.
30. There’s something truly wonderful about special English.
31. Muddy hills are REALLY slippery, and I am really ungraceful.
32. We are all “really suffering.”
33. “Wundaful” means quite the opposite.
34. You can easily communicate through strange noises and weird words.
*The deep breathing “I understand”
*Ab-ba!
*Teeth sucking
*The disapproving click
*Etc.
35. Keep candles ready and matches near.
36. If there are trees piled in the road and drivers all have beers, you’re in for a long day.
37. I can’t overemphasize the necessity to always have Purel ready…and, similarly, worms are not a joking matter.
38. Texting into the BBC is nothing to be ashamed about…you’re just contributing to the “Global conversation.” And, it’s a great feeling to hear your text read aloud. It can really make a candle-lit, rainy night worthwhile.
39. Dr. Atkins’ would have committed suicide here…corn foufou alone would have driven him to madness. Ah, the wonders of a “loaf” with easily 6000 calories, 75% of them carbohydrates. It gives new meaning to the spare tire that’s for sure.
As the days near the big red mark on June 14th (for reasons aside from Lexie’s birthday and the unfortunately non-recognized holiday of Flag day), I begin to reflect on 6 months in Ndu—thus what the red mark stands for, in case you were wondering. So, I’ve compiled a list of some of the 40 wonderful things I’ve learned over the past half-year in Ndu. While the list isn’t all-inclusive and I’m sure I forgot some key things, it gets to the point, which is…well, I’m not really sure. There is a point to it all, although I am beginning to think that I may not find out until I’m packing my bags in 2007, or possibly much later. But for now, here’s some lessons learned after 6 months au village.
1. There is such a thing as a stupid question. Below are a few that you just shouldn’t bother asking. They are, by definition, stupid questions.
*Will there be palm wine?
*Will there be kola nuts? *Will there be corn foufou?
*Is it too early for a beer?
*What time does it start/will we leave/will it end?
*Does this match?
2. Kids in America snack on fruit snacks and juice boxes, kids in Cameroon snack on sugar cane, fried fish heads, and anything they pick up off the ground.
3. “Ca va” and “Ashia” are always appropriate responses.
4. It’s ok to yell—they probably deserve it.
5. Careless squatting never did anyone any good—likewise, wash your shoes often.
6. Don’t plug your Ipod into anything, just don’t.
7. Eto’o Fils. Enough said.
8. Vache Qui Rit and Coca Light weirdly taste like pumpkin pie when taken together.
9. There is a proper way to burn trash.
10. They’ll flat out laugh in your face…just accept it.
11. Running water is a wonderful thing. So are clean carpets, sinks, hot showers, ice cubes, and seatbelts.
12. Nothing happens on time. Nothing.
13. National holiday or church event to attend? Bring snacks and a good book.
14. After a while it is possible to block out children screaming, “White” or “Kingba.”
15. Don’t waste energy fighting about women’s rights with men who’ve been at the bar for more than an hour or are obviously slurring and/or telling you about the power provided eating by bush meat. It’s a worthless struggle.
16. There’s no poverty, crime or sadness in America. Amazing huh?
17. Who needs an alarm clock when you have children pounding water jugs on the side of your house at 5:45 AM?
18. You can never have too many mangos.
19. It is possible to transport up to 15 people in/on a two-door Toyota. Plus goats.
20. Calling someone “my friend” usually means you want something.
21. There’s something about a Phil Collins song playing from a hut as you walk in the rain that can really brighten your day, you know?
22. It is possible to go through 5000 CFA phone credit in less than a week and not actually talk to anyone.
23. You can win 2 games of Spider Solitaire in a row—and few games are as addicting.
24. The phrase, “Don’t be a fool, stay in school” has NEVER meant so much to me.
25. There’s a real joy in ironing.
26. Take advantage of sunny days to dry clothes. There’s nothing like a mildewy towel to ruin a nice bucket bath.
27. Pretending you can’t hear and/or don’t understand can get you out of a fair amount of unwanted conversation.
28. Lying is completely acceptable.
29. Careful with a camera—they’ll make you ‘snap’ and ask you, one million times, for a copy.
30. There’s something truly wonderful about special English.
31. Muddy hills are REALLY slippery, and I am really ungraceful.
32. We are all “really suffering.”
33. “Wundaful” means quite the opposite.
34. You can easily communicate through strange noises and weird words.
*The deep breathing “I understand”
*Ab-ba!
*Teeth sucking
*The disapproving click
*Etc.
35. Keep candles ready and matches near.
36. If there are trees piled in the road and drivers all have beers, you’re in for a long day.
37. I can’t overemphasize the necessity to always have Purel ready…and, similarly, worms are not a joking matter.
38. Texting into the BBC is nothing to be ashamed about…you’re just contributing to the “Global conversation.” And, it’s a great feeling to hear your text read aloud. It can really make a candle-lit, rainy night worthwhile.
39. Dr. Atkins’ would have committed suicide here…corn foufou alone would have driven him to madness. Ah, the wonders of a “loaf” with easily 6000 calories, 75% of them carbohydrates. It gives new meaning to the spare tire that’s for sure.
40. There’s nothing wrong with a Rent sing-a-long in the bush taxi, while trekking through the jungle, or alone while cleaning your floors. And openly bawling to any part of the movie is quite acceptable. After all, “live for 2day” right?
