December just got cashed

As I predicted, the past month flew by in a flurry of activities. Now that I’m through it and starting off a new year and decade I am hit by the accelerating speed of my return to the US. With so many events occurring that I want to make sure are archived and remembered, I’m going to copy a former blog during my Senegal year and list the highlights of the month.

December 4^th-8^th: Another trip to Douala; this time for preparation as a Facilitator for our AIESEC (@) National Conference (hosted in Yaoundé). Got to hang out with AIESEC Cameroon’s national staff. Met @ers from around the country. What a cool group.

December 11^th-13^th: JUMP’IN 2009, Yaoundé, Cameroon. AIESEC National Conference. Students from all over Cameroon and Nigeria. As facilitator I gave presentations, mostly on the exchange process and preparation.

December 18^th: Ecole NOULA’s Christmas Party. Watched all the adorable kids present their dances, recite a skit, or lip sync.

December 18^th-20^th: Again to Douala. One of my best friends’ grandma died and so I and another friend went to visit him for the funeral ceremonies. Extremely important to be present as support for a death in someone’s family.

December 21^st-23^rd: Left 16 hours late (this is extreme Cameroonian tardiness) with the caravan to the deep East province to be present at the Christmas party hosted by the first lady’s foundation, Fondation Chantal BIYA. 11 hours after leaving Yaoundé we arrived in Mbang, 400K from the border of the Central Republic of Africa. Watched a mass marriage of over 50 pygmies, checked out the pygmies leaf huts, and watched the traditional pygmy dances. Ate crocodile.

December 24^th: Celebrated Christmas within the family. Opened presents with everyone. Went to a party at my friend Albert’s house. Danced until 4:30AM. Slept one hour.

December 25^th: Celebrated Christmas with Maman Solange’s extended family. At least 50 cousins and more than 25 aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Went to an amusement park with the kids. Crashed and burned by 9PM.

December 27^th-30^th: Left for the West province with Maman Solange at midnight. Arrived the next morning at 5AM. Stayed in Maman’s natal Bamiléké village, located next to Batie. Made the acquaintance of Maman’s father, a man over 100 years old, who lives by himself after having outlived his multiple wives. I tried to learn some Bamiléké, Papa tried to speak some English. This is why I love cultural exchange. Was sent home with a 50 pound sack of food provisions.

December 30^th-January 2^nd: At the transfer point to return to Yaoundé, I met up with another friend, Askan, to continue my travels to Foumban (Maman returned back to the capitol). Went to Mount Bapite, an ancient volcano that now is partially filled with water. Climbed the mountain and then did what no other foreigner successfully accomplished without getting hurt: descended into the volcanic crater to the waters edge. Felt the mystical vibes and returned back to the top. Rang in the New Year at the Sultan’s palace, watching the dances and songs presented for the Sultan. Met one of the princesses and several of the princes in the royal family.

I’m now back in Yaoundé for a couple weeks before hopefully heading off to Limbé and Buea, two well-known cities on the coast (and not far from Douala), and in the English region of Cameroon. These two cities will make up the last of my explorations of Cameroon’s diverse regions.  Needless to say, seeing new places and meeting new people within the country is on my top five list of best memories and experiences.

Learn Bamiléké:

Oy-gilah – Good morning, how did you sleep?

Sou-sou – please

Uhh – yes

Ngay-ping – Thank you

Sopeh pom – Welcome

Chong gai kuh – How are you? Apia-nya - Fine