Yeah, you should probably keep holding your breath for exact details of where I will be spending my two years—PC doesn’t allow that info to be public. I will be in the Extreme North near Mokolo, a city on the western part of the province, near Nigeria. If that description doesn’t satisfy you, feel free to email/facebook/smoke signal me.
Last week I visited my post with my postmate Matt, an agro volunteer; we’re replacing a married couple. This has created some confusion about whether or not Matt and I are married, but hopefully us living in separate houses will remedy that. So this post is one of the few that is without electricity, cell service, and running water—let’s hear it for the old school PC experience! When I told my homestay family of the electricity and cell service situation they told me that I was going to suffer, I believe the exact words were “Que suffrage!” Now that’s a bit of an exaggeration, when I travel to Mokolo about once a week cell service, internet, faucets, and light switches will be plentiful. But otherwise, handcrank radios, head lamps, candles, and kerosene lamps will be my life.
The post is nestled in the mountains and is completely beautiful. As usual, my limited vocab isn’t doing it justice so here are some pics of a hike we took, but the only way you can truly appreciate is if you came to visit. (hint hint)
There are massive rocks here; I think this place got some volcanic action at some point. For a point of reference, Matt’s in the pic, so you can see how ginormous they are.
Nigeria in the distance, right over those hills.
The health volunteer I’m replacing did a ton of projects, especially with midwives and pre/post natal care. She also did extensive research on the village, which has a population of about 47,000 spread over a large area. My counterpart, the doctor at the health center, has an extension action plan for my first 3 months at post, starting with a meeting about 3 days after I get there. No easing in for me, this is a jump off the high board with my clothes on kind of deal.
Halloween Party
Totally off topic, the stagiers had a Halloween party just before we left for site visit.
From left to right we have a Fanta Girl, Caitlyn being me, Sarah Palin, 1/3 of Charlie’s Angels, Chiquita Banana, 2/3 of Charlie’s Angels, and a Hula Dancer. Very creative for not having a Party City I must say.
I, the last third of the Charlie’s Angles, crew and Caitlyn is me. Apparently I rock the side ponytail and swish around long skirts and dresses obliviously.
Barack Rocks it in Cameroon
For the past two weeks, we’ve been getting a lot of double fist pumps and Barack Obama calls everywhere we go. His picture is everywhere and many stores have changed their names to include our future president’s name somewhere. For example, Garoua now has a Barack Obama Coiffure. As one women excitedly told me with a lot of fist pump action, “Hy ya Hy ya Hy ya Barack Obama.”
He should come and visit.
New Address
So I’ve placed my new address in the info on the left side of the page so please check it out! Hopefully things will get to me a bit faster than they have been while I’ve been in stage. (It’s almost done and the only thing I’ve gotten is the conditioner I sent myself.) I promise to send long, dull letters to you—when I’m without electricity pen pals will be part of my daily dose of sanity. For those who want to send me a package I have some ideas below to help guide you. Warning: it’s really expensive so letters would be fabulous too. To make mailing easier it’s best to send in one of those package envelopes and to write my name as Soeur Cara Delaney (I guess being a nun makes you immune to pillagers). You should also put what's in the package. As in write: old books, rotten tennis shoes, and other things people won't be curious about.
The List:
Chocolate—it’s going to be a melty mess, but I’m ok with that.
Mixed CDs—with artist and song name somewhere so that I’ve not completely uncool when I come back (siblings your on this)
Granola/Chewy/Cereal Bars
Instant Oatmeal – preferably peaches & cream, strawberries & cream, cinnamon, and apple cinnamon
Small Cookie packets—so I can eat them in one go, because the ants are CRAZY here
AAA batteries—Cameroon batteries stink
Old DVDs—cause there are no promises that you’re going to see them again
Old Magazines—maybe some with dress/skirt design ideas so that I can make clothes (think conservative/chic)
Candy, funny clippings, etc
Sorry for writing a book. It’s been a while. Love!
