Oh, I remember
My friend, Josh, is back in Cameroon. I met him at towards the beginning of his jaunt through Africa (for more than one year) when he came through Cameroon in the beginning of 2009. Now he’s been in 9 more countries and has some perspective. He’s reminding me of all the unique things about Cameroon, and Buea in particular, about why I should be grateful that I’ve had such a long time to be here.
One of my favorite things that he likes to gush about is the clouds. Buea’s on the mountain and the “fog”/clouds come rolling in and they’ve got such character. You can taste them in Buea Town and right now I can see them sneaking little thin arms into the door of the internet cafe. You can walk through a cloud and then see clear down to the ocean – it’s not total fog.
Another is cheap beer. I don’t like beer, still, after being here for all this time (yeah! way to go!). But it is amazing. And I definitely missed whiskey sachets in Ethiopia. You can’t beat a shot for less than 20 cents. That you can stick in your bag. No. You can’t.
And he’s been longing for traditional food. I hear so many people complain about the food, how it all tastes the same or whatever, that I forget that I LOVE okra soup and ndole (he likes achu still… that’s a phase we all go through… it’ll pass). I adore plantains. And I like that I can get it for less than $1. I will miss the food so much when I’m gone.
Hmm and pidgin. Although he likes to add in extra pidgin words “How fo yu dey?” he’s definitely like a fish back in water. I will miss being able to spit gut reaction “Now weti?” “I say!” etc. (And in fact I might just spit many of them for awhile back in the States, beware)
He keeps saying that Buea is beautiful. And it is. I’d forgotten, it was all hidden under the rain. But the sun’s returned and all seems right with the world again. For all you Seattle-ites (I’m SURROUNDED by them) – I’m tired of hearing about how the rain is similar there. I will not be able to live for very long in Seattle, I’m aware. Congratulations. You’re all insane.
World Map
When I first came to Buea, I wanted to paint big pictures of the world on the sides of buildings – I was so excited about being in Buea! But that quickly became less than feasible without a partner in crime or students to help me. And now it’s on the table again! Kim, from thatswhatshesaid.wordpress.com, is doing a project with her peer educators in Fundong in the North West. Since it’s sort of a big undertaking, I’m gonna try and help her out in the sketching of it and mixing of colors. The kids will paint it. At the end of October, we’re gonna work with about 10 youths to paint the outside of her library with a map of the world. So many kids don’t really have access to maps here in Cameroon that they’re still a novelty and this type of map will last for many years. The peer educators working on the project will also be THRILLED to be able to point out this lasting mark on their community.
She’s sending out pleas for funding in order to buy paint. The community is donating 20% of the total cost of the project and Kim’s estimating that she’ll need about $250 to buy paints. I know I’m constantly pleading for art pity – with the Artist Workshop I’m holding and such. But any small contribution to this project would be a big help. Checks can be sent to my mom: (Char Bowling, 612 Angier Rd. Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526)
