Musings
Advance warning...now that I have a laptop at home, it’s much easier to make ridiculously long and nonsensical entries. Read on...
Musings from Zurich
I had a lot of fun being home. Senior week and graduation were wonderful, and I’m really glad I got a chance to go. Other than that, I mostly just relaxed, slept, etc., but it was nice to be back. It was also fun to see the house torn down and live with no air conditioning-it felt like I was in Cameroon again, except that I could take hot showers and eat Taco Bell!
Packing was a fun exercise. I was so proud of myself for getting my act together days in advance, and I kept buying more things because they all fit in my bags. Except after I weighed them, each bag was more than 10 pounds over the limit. Just because it fits doesn’t mean you can take it all, apparently. I ended up shifting all the heavy stuff to my backpack, and then put my laptop bag inside a bigger bag, so I had two bags weighing 25 pounds each. Awesome to carry around when you’re badly sunburned.
I got to the Tampa airport with no problem. I was a little worried about Alberto raining on my parade, but he stayed away long enough that not only did we get away on time, but we arrived 20 minutes early to New York. I waited around for a bit, then Josh GS called and said he and Danielle were coming to visit (my heroes!!). They waited with me for Swiss Air to open so I could check it. I tried to get on the earlier flight at 6, but the guy said it wasn’t possible. I’m guessing it’s because I had a bargain fare. Then, miracle of all miracles, he said I would have to check one of my carryons, and luckily at no cost. So I sat down in the middle of the terminal and shifted EVERYTHING around in my bags, but it worked out well because I got rid of a bag.
Then Danielle and Josh took me back to Long Island for some yummy pizza and AMAZING garlic knots. This is after Danielle had already brought cookies and blueberry pie and water for me. I dropped in on each of their houses, and at 6 I headed back to the airport. I breezed through security and then had a chance to talk to the family before boarding. It didn’t look like the plane would be too crowded, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up. I already wasn’t too excited that I was sitting in the second to last row. However, by the time we took off, I was passed out and in a row of three seats with no one else. I was a little startled when I woke up and there was a strange gentleman sitting there, but it really was no big deal and we were both able to stretch out a bit into the middle seat. There were no good movies on the way to Zurich, so I watched a few sitcom episodes and slept for most of the rest of the flight (waking for food, of course!).
I was a bit stressed out about only having an hour and a half layover here-the times I’ve flown into Paris, even 2+ hours is tight. However, I didn’t have to change terminals. I went through security again, but there was no line. I guess I shouldn’t be complaining-it’s been a boring and easy trip, but I’d much rather have that than be running around like crazy.
So now I’m just chilling at my gate in Zurich. I’d definitely like to come visit here some day. The hills around the airport are so green and beautiful. I do feel a bit like a ridiculous American because I don’t know ANY Swiss German. However, there are a few Cameroonians hanging around the gate. It feels so comforting to hear Cameroonian French again and know that I am going home.
Musings from Yaoundé (aka continuation)
Because Swiss Air was using leased jets for some of its routes, we got a plane with NO entertainment system. I thought it was a joke. I guess that’s how travel was in the olden days. Ha. Smart me already had carry ons that were too heavy, so I didn’t bring any books. I did some cross stitch and soduku, played with the baby across the aisle, and slept, of course. At least I again had a free seat next to me. After 6 hours or so hours, we stopped in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, where the plane really emptied out. We had a 40 minute stop, and then it was 20 minutes to Douala.
My sweat glands had a minor freak out as soon as I stepped off the plane. It is SO hot and humid in Douala. While waiting in line to have our visas stamped, I met a girl who will be interning at the American embassy for the summer. I gave her my number, so hopefully we’ll have a chance to hang out. Getting my luggage took forever, but that’s pretty normal. Ben was able to talk his way into the baggage claim area, which was nice, especially because I was able to avoid having the customs people go through my bags and ask for bribes. Ben’s two brothers, niece, and friend came to meet me. I spent the night with Ben’s family, whom we surprised by not telling them I was coming. Wednesday afternoon we got on a bus to Yaoundé and sweated our buns off. We finally got in at about 8 at night-more than 2 days after I left home! After throwing my stuff in my room, I ran to get something to eat since I hadn’t eaten since the morning. I ran into a whole bunch of people, and everyone was so excited that I was back. I spent Thursday unpacking and recovering.
Musings on expats in Cameroon
While at the airport in Douala, I met the man in charge of the American consulate in Douala. We started talking about the benefits of being in Yaoundé vs. Douala. I haven’t spent much time in Douala, so I really can’t say anything about it, but I find plenty to do in Yaoundé. He said however, that life in Yaoundé is boring, because in Douala he can do this and that. Funny though, how if you’re an expat, those things are available, but not to any normal Cameroonian. So I thought maybe that was just a matter of taste, and I started complaining about how hot it is in Douala. I was pretty incredulous when he said he didn’t find it too bad, because every Cameroonian I know complains about the heat there, even those who live in Douala and are used to it. Finally it comes out-the reason he doesn’t think it’s so bad is because his (large) house has 12 air conditioning units and a huge swimming pool. Right. Try living like most Cameroonians do for one day-this man would absolutely die.
I guess I can’t really begrudge the expat community. They spend a lot of money and such and I’m sure it helps the economy. Except they are spending it at fancy restaurants and clubs that already have owners that are well off.
Saturday night I went to a party for a French woman. I swear I didn’t know there were that many white people in all of Cameroon. It really was nice, right down to the little hors d’oeuvres-egg rolls, mini pizzas, little hot dogs, etc. I felt like it was wasted though. If I had been in Cameroon for longer than 5 days, I would have appreciated that stuff much more!
OK, gotta go now. More random news and stories to come!!
So what’s up next?
-Job search
-Find a new apartment with running water that is safe and not ridiculously expensive (yeah right)
Musings from Zurich
I had a lot of fun being home. Senior week and graduation were wonderful, and I’m really glad I got a chance to go. Other than that, I mostly just relaxed, slept, etc., but it was nice to be back. It was also fun to see the house torn down and live with no air conditioning-it felt like I was in Cameroon again, except that I could take hot showers and eat Taco Bell!
Packing was a fun exercise. I was so proud of myself for getting my act together days in advance, and I kept buying more things because they all fit in my bags. Except after I weighed them, each bag was more than 10 pounds over the limit. Just because it fits doesn’t mean you can take it all, apparently. I ended up shifting all the heavy stuff to my backpack, and then put my laptop bag inside a bigger bag, so I had two bags weighing 25 pounds each. Awesome to carry around when you’re badly sunburned.
I got to the Tampa airport with no problem. I was a little worried about Alberto raining on my parade, but he stayed away long enough that not only did we get away on time, but we arrived 20 minutes early to New York. I waited around for a bit, then Josh GS called and said he and Danielle were coming to visit (my heroes!!). They waited with me for Swiss Air to open so I could check it. I tried to get on the earlier flight at 6, but the guy said it wasn’t possible. I’m guessing it’s because I had a bargain fare. Then, miracle of all miracles, he said I would have to check one of my carryons, and luckily at no cost. So I sat down in the middle of the terminal and shifted EVERYTHING around in my bags, but it worked out well because I got rid of a bag.
Then Danielle and Josh took me back to Long Island for some yummy pizza and AMAZING garlic knots. This is after Danielle had already brought cookies and blueberry pie and water for me. I dropped in on each of their houses, and at 6 I headed back to the airport. I breezed through security and then had a chance to talk to the family before boarding. It didn’t look like the plane would be too crowded, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up. I already wasn’t too excited that I was sitting in the second to last row. However, by the time we took off, I was passed out and in a row of three seats with no one else. I was a little startled when I woke up and there was a strange gentleman sitting there, but it really was no big deal and we were both able to stretch out a bit into the middle seat. There were no good movies on the way to Zurich, so I watched a few sitcom episodes and slept for most of the rest of the flight (waking for food, of course!).
I was a bit stressed out about only having an hour and a half layover here-the times I’ve flown into Paris, even 2+ hours is tight. However, I didn’t have to change terminals. I went through security again, but there was no line. I guess I shouldn’t be complaining-it’s been a boring and easy trip, but I’d much rather have that than be running around like crazy.
So now I’m just chilling at my gate in Zurich. I’d definitely like to come visit here some day. The hills around the airport are so green and beautiful. I do feel a bit like a ridiculous American because I don’t know ANY Swiss German. However, there are a few Cameroonians hanging around the gate. It feels so comforting to hear Cameroonian French again and know that I am going home.
Musings from Yaoundé (aka continuation)
Because Swiss Air was using leased jets for some of its routes, we got a plane with NO entertainment system. I thought it was a joke. I guess that’s how travel was in the olden days. Ha. Smart me already had carry ons that were too heavy, so I didn’t bring any books. I did some cross stitch and soduku, played with the baby across the aisle, and slept, of course. At least I again had a free seat next to me. After 6 hours or so hours, we stopped in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, where the plane really emptied out. We had a 40 minute stop, and then it was 20 minutes to Douala.
My sweat glands had a minor freak out as soon as I stepped off the plane. It is SO hot and humid in Douala. While waiting in line to have our visas stamped, I met a girl who will be interning at the American embassy for the summer. I gave her my number, so hopefully we’ll have a chance to hang out. Getting my luggage took forever, but that’s pretty normal. Ben was able to talk his way into the baggage claim area, which was nice, especially because I was able to avoid having the customs people go through my bags and ask for bribes. Ben’s two brothers, niece, and friend came to meet me. I spent the night with Ben’s family, whom we surprised by not telling them I was coming. Wednesday afternoon we got on a bus to Yaoundé and sweated our buns off. We finally got in at about 8 at night-more than 2 days after I left home! After throwing my stuff in my room, I ran to get something to eat since I hadn’t eaten since the morning. I ran into a whole bunch of people, and everyone was so excited that I was back. I spent Thursday unpacking and recovering.
Musings on expats in Cameroon
While at the airport in Douala, I met the man in charge of the American consulate in Douala. We started talking about the benefits of being in Yaoundé vs. Douala. I haven’t spent much time in Douala, so I really can’t say anything about it, but I find plenty to do in Yaoundé. He said however, that life in Yaoundé is boring, because in Douala he can do this and that. Funny though, how if you’re an expat, those things are available, but not to any normal Cameroonian. So I thought maybe that was just a matter of taste, and I started complaining about how hot it is in Douala. I was pretty incredulous when he said he didn’t find it too bad, because every Cameroonian I know complains about the heat there, even those who live in Douala and are used to it. Finally it comes out-the reason he doesn’t think it’s so bad is because his (large) house has 12 air conditioning units and a huge swimming pool. Right. Try living like most Cameroonians do for one day-this man would absolutely die.
I guess I can’t really begrudge the expat community. They spend a lot of money and such and I’m sure it helps the economy. Except they are spending it at fancy restaurants and clubs that already have owners that are well off.
Saturday night I went to a party for a French woman. I swear I didn’t know there were that many white people in all of Cameroon. It really was nice, right down to the little hors d’oeuvres-egg rolls, mini pizzas, little hot dogs, etc. I felt like it was wasted though. If I had been in Cameroon for longer than 5 days, I would have appreciated that stuff much more!
OK, gotta go now. More random news and stories to come!!
So what’s up next?
-Job search
-Find a new apartment with running water that is safe and not ridiculously expensive (yeah right)