The
school term has come to a close, GCE exams are finished and we only the CAPIEMP
(TTC) exams to complete next week. The Hornes (LMH family that will be in SAC)
are expected to arrive in Cameroon on June 26, so I'm planning to be in Kumbo
that week to welcome them.
It's
hard to believe that I have been here for almost two years. As I approach the
two-year mark and get ready for a six-week holiday back in the States, I'd like
to share a few of the things I've learned so far.
1.
Things I didn't know could be done with vehicles:
- Load a motorcycle on top of a small van
(which are the buses here).
- Fit 20 adults in a small van for a 4-hour
drive.
- Fit 10 adults in a Toyota Corolla.
- Carry a dead pig while a passenger on a
motorcycle.
- Transport a family of 5 on one motorcycle.
2.
Truisms that I've seen lived out:
- The time for an event is when the event
starts (not the scheduled time).
- Who you know is more important than what
you know.
- The one who has a watch isn't the one who
has the time.
3.
Things I've learned how to do:
- Wash my hair with a half gallon of hot
water in a large bowl/bucket.
- Walk on a muddy path without slipping (too
much).
- Walk in dress shoes on an uneven surface.
- Tie a headscarf.
- Give an hour-long talk.
- Eat fufu (and cook it - in theory).
- Sharpen a pencil with a razor blade.
4.
Other things I've learned:
- Personal space doesn't mean the same thing
everywhere.
- Four-wheel drive is a necessity not a
luxury on some roads.
- The road is wherever you can drive.
- A child of six can carry and help take care
of a child of two.
This
list is just a short sample of what I've learned in the past two years and is
by no means comprehensive. I know I will still learn much more.
