Don’t have too much to report this week, but I thought I might just add some interesting little cultural differences/observations that I have become (quickly) accustomed:
- Hide & Go Seek – a universal children’s pastime, right? Right. However, in Cameroon sometimes the child “seeking” carries a knife and chases. Don’t worry though; all knives in Cameroon are extra dull.
- Don’t leave the house without your…machete. Don’t let them scare you. Everyone carries one. (Agriculture contributes to about 80% of Cameroonian’s workforce – and machetes are a must for the field.)
- Is that a 10 year old getting your beer (and running the entire establishment)? Yes. Kids in Cameroon are resilient, and they start early with hard work. Probably a lot of adult Americans would complain about the same workload these babes do (I would). I’m not sure of the exact percentage, but the majority of Cameroon’s population is under 25.
- Need to get somewhere quick, but a little out of walking distance? Grab a moto. Although, Cameroonian motorcycles aren’t typically made for more than two passengers…why not try five? More than doable here.
- “La blanche, la blanche” – that’s me. If I didn’t know any better, I might get offended by being called “la blanche” as if it was my given name, but it Cameroon, using physical attributes to describe a person (like white, skinny, fat, etc.) isn’t really seen as rude. Cameroonians don’t have that same American sensitivity.
- Don’t smell food before you eat it. That is rude.
- Saying “bon appetite” before/while someone is eating is the polite thing to do. Every time.
- When opening a bank account at your local bank, you may be asked to draw a map to your house. (There aren’t many addresses in Cameroon.)
- Mercie Moser wouldn’t survive the cockroaches here.
- Need to carry something, but your hands are full and you have no backpack? No problem. Put it on your head. Really – whatever it is: a giant log, a huge stack of wood, shoes, a large dish of eggs or peanuts, pineapples... Cameroonians have an amazing talent (and strong necks) for carrying whatever they need perfectly balanced atop their heads. It’s something I would like to learn, but I’m not sure if the time has passed for me or not (they start super early).
- Right hand only, please. If it’s dirty, extend your right arm.
- Cameroonians like to state or ask really obvious things, such as “you’ve arrived?” or “you’re eating?” Picking up on that while learning French makes things more fun.
- Peeing in a small hole is difficult, but I am pretty sure I will have super strong leg muscles after two years.
These awesome lizards are everywhere - don't know their scientific names, but we like to call them "the push-up lizards" -- that's exactly what they do.
A view from a village in the West Region - very beautiful there - only a few hours north of where I will be posted
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