pleasant surprises
[2 posts!]
#1: I got to meet the erstwhile Minister on Friday. A keen sense of paranoia prevents me from divulging any details while still in the country, but it was pretty awesome. And made the previous day seem totally worth it. I’m also gaining a better understanding of the mindset here. Apparently, there is actually a law for public servants which states that it’s ILLEGAL to reveal pretty much ANY information without getting permission first. No wonder there’s a pervasive instinct to brush off inquiries or pass them along to higher ups. Why put yourself at risk?
#2: Friday night, went to a party at the American Embassy. Now, this was not the Embassy Ball type of affair (sadly, I’ll be leaving before the Queen’s Birthday—Cameroon is part of the Commonwealth—which is supposed to be quite the shindig). It was at the Marine Guard’s house, but a lot of Embassy staffers came, too, including the American Ambassador to Cameroon! Given the locale, it was all oddly normal. Potluck dinner, including chocolate chip cookies! drinks, pool, darts, and Pictionary, plus plenty of sitting around having conversations about politics and travel. Quite familiar. Plus, there’s that sense of camaraderie born of being foreigners abroad; even if you only met people that day, everyone sort of bands together. All in all, a surreal but fun evening. And for me, who has considered the Foreign Service Officer route, it was an interesting insight into the road not taken.
#3: My ability to manage the shared taxis has improved. I’ve got basic routes down and discovered that you can subtly direct the routes, if you’re willing to pay a little extra.
#4: I’ve successfully conducted an interview in French.
#5: Signs of local social and political action. While out on Saturday, I got stuck in traffic and decided to walk the rest of my route. Turned out the reason for the blockage was a miniature parade! For “Families, Women, and Children Day.” There was a band, accompanied by a couple hundred marchers, many of whom were carrying banners that said things like “Stop violence against women” “Strong families matter” “Practice responsible sexual habits!” and, among my favorites “Les ‘vrais hommes’ ne battrent pas leurs femmes.” Translated, “Real men don’t beat their women/wives.” Domestic violence is a real problem here. A small parade won’t resolve it, but the idea that there’s a government-sanctioned discourse about and condemnation of it…well, I think that’s a reason to be pleased.
#6: A weekend! With plenty of water, electricity for 1 1/2 days, and a little time for meanderings. And photos!
Ice cream vendor, waiting outside the Mission for the end of Sunday services.
Supermarket
Flower sellers
Call booth
Boulangerie!
View, with the national soccer stadium
#1: I got to meet the erstwhile Minister on Friday. A keen sense of paranoia prevents me from divulging any details while still in the country, but it was pretty awesome. And made the previous day seem totally worth it. I’m also gaining a better understanding of the mindset here. Apparently, there is actually a law for public servants which states that it’s ILLEGAL to reveal pretty much ANY information without getting permission first. No wonder there’s a pervasive instinct to brush off inquiries or pass them along to higher ups. Why put yourself at risk?
#2: Friday night, went to a party at the American Embassy. Now, this was not the Embassy Ball type of affair (sadly, I’ll be leaving before the Queen’s Birthday—Cameroon is part of the Commonwealth—which is supposed to be quite the shindig). It was at the Marine Guard’s house, but a lot of Embassy staffers came, too, including the American Ambassador to Cameroon! Given the locale, it was all oddly normal. Potluck dinner, including chocolate chip cookies! drinks, pool, darts, and Pictionary, plus plenty of sitting around having conversations about politics and travel. Quite familiar. Plus, there’s that sense of camaraderie born of being foreigners abroad; even if you only met people that day, everyone sort of bands together. All in all, a surreal but fun evening. And for me, who has considered the Foreign Service Officer route, it was an interesting insight into the road not taken.
#3: My ability to manage the shared taxis has improved. I’ve got basic routes down and discovered that you can subtly direct the routes, if you’re willing to pay a little extra.
#4: I’ve successfully conducted an interview in French.
#5: Signs of local social and political action. While out on Saturday, I got stuck in traffic and decided to walk the rest of my route. Turned out the reason for the blockage was a miniature parade! For “Families, Women, and Children Day.” There was a band, accompanied by a couple hundred marchers, many of whom were carrying banners that said things like “Stop violence against women” “Strong families matter” “Practice responsible sexual habits!” and, among my favorites “Les ‘vrais hommes’ ne battrent pas leurs femmes.” Translated, “Real men don’t beat their women/wives.” Domestic violence is a real problem here. A small parade won’t resolve it, but the idea that there’s a government-sanctioned discourse about and condemnation of it…well, I think that’s a reason to be pleased.
#6: A weekend! With plenty of water, electricity for 1 1/2 days, and a little time for meanderings. And photos!
Ice cream vendor, waiting outside the Mission for the end of Sunday services.
Supermarket
Flower sellers
Call booth
Boulangerie!
View, with the national soccer stadium
posted by Emily at 5:45 PM
1 Comments:
Thanks for your attempt to call for Mom's Day. I heard you mumble about two times.
Much love,
Mom
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