I woke up at around 7:30am to the sound of birds chirping and roosters crowing. I know I’m leaving to my new apartment either today or tomorrow. I am trying to get used to this element of not knowing, but it is very hard. I chalked up the nerve to ask Jemen to run and buy me bread and butter which only costs 150 cfa which is about .30 cents. She ran back with my change and breakfast in hand. I can’t wait for when I go home and bring back some clothes for her and the rest of her family. As I ate breakfast, we talked about the tasks for today. The weekly market was in full swing and Betty wanted to go. I told her that I would go just to see and not buy anything because they will give me the American price. She laughed but knew it was true. If you do not speak Fulfide in the market, you will get jipped no ifs and or buts about it. I put on some shoes and off we went to the market.

It was only 10:30am and the sun beamed as if it were noon. We walked down to the market in the scorching heat. When we got to the market, Betty and Jemen started digging through used clothes to buy. I cannot recall how I felt as they dug and dug to find something presentable to buy. Jemen got 2 pairs of jeans and a shirt. Betty bought a few things for baby Djiana. I had totally forgotten how massive and intricate African markets were. Everywhere you turned, more vendors were at your disposable selling anything from fruits to fake coach wallets. If you want it, you can find it at the market. When we passed the fish and meat section, it was not a pleasant sight. Flies swarmed uncooked meat up for grabs. The fish was dried and looked like it was dead for years; no thanks. Overall, I enjoyed my first visit to the market.

We walked back to the camp sweaty and tired while Djiana slept on her mom’s back peacefully. As soon as we got back, I jumped on the other bed and just chilled. The heat can really do things to you. I took a nice cold shower and started playing with the kids. I finally took some pictures of them for my memory book. At around 1:30pm, Jemen gave me a plate of food. Unlike in Yaounde, here in Ngaoundere fish is not easy to come by and it is more expensive. Most of the dishes here have meat and so did my meal today. I ate the yams but did not touch the meat. This vegetarian thing is starting to get harder and harder but hopefully when I am in my own apartment it will be better.

After dinner, I researched some possibly job placement opportunities abroad. I am really looking forward to applying for the assistantship in France. I can definitely perfect my French and it will allow me to do what I love to do. They have some placements in France and in overseas departments like French Guiana, Martinique, Guadeloupe, and Reunion. I would love to go to these overseas departments because they are very rich in culture and the demographics will be interesting to study. There is a lot of diversity and the weather is beautiful. Even though Europe has never really enticed me, I guess I should visit before judging. The main reason it never enticed me was because everyone goes there instead of traveling the path less traveled. Now that I have traveled the path less traveled, I can visit the places “everyone” goes to. It will also give me the opportunity to visit neighboring countries and therefore, I can be a globe trotter like everyone says.