Hey All,
Hope all is well in NEPA. Word on the street is that Fall Break is around the corner. I am sure you are all looking forward to it. I bet this week was crazy with tests and papers. O how I remember those days...Good luck to you all through out this frenzy week. How's the weather on you end? We are still in the rainy season on this side of town. It rains sporadically, but when it rains, it pours.

Let me fill you in on the adventures of my life in Cameroon thus far. I have yet to start teaching as we are still trying to get things in order for my departure up North. I am leaving today to Ngaoundere, which is the capital of the Adamawa Province. I am taking a 12-16 hour train ride. I hear it is going to be an experience. I did learn from the notarizer that I must be extra careful on the train ride up to Ngaoundere because there are many thieves. She said I must use my bag as a pillow so that if a thief wants my bag, he must cut off my neck. I thought it was funny. I am going to ride in a sleeping cart so there are only 4 people in the room. The chances of me not knowing an alleged thief is slim to none. Stay tune for next weeks post on my train ride up north.

In other news, life in Yaounde is a bit dull. There isn't much to do in the day, but at night, the whole town comes out. We made sure to visit as much clubs as possible being that I was leaving shortly. Of course I had to show my dance moves, so I was invited to dance on stage. Check out the picture below.

This is a picture of the dancers doing there thing!! I need to practice some of their moves.

Enough about the night life. Last weekend we went over to Aunty Gla's house for lunch, here's the story. While we ate cabbage, plantains, and begnes, we introduced ourselves. I was the first person to go so I made it nice and short. I find it extra hard to talk about myself let alone in a room full of people. I was more interested in what others said.

I was touched by Justine’s story. She’s from a village outside of Bamenda, which is in the Northwest province. Because she’s a female, the chance of her going to school was slim. Yes, such practices still exist in Africa. She begged and pleaded with her father to enroll her in school, but he refused. She had to work and take care of the family. As she worked, she told her father that school was not going to cost him anything; she would pay for her own education. It took some convincing, but he caved in. She worked and went to school, mind you, she started to work at the age of 11. She did not start going to school until she was approximately 13. Once elementary school was over, she did not have anywhere to go. However, luckily for her there was a Women Organization which sponsored intelligent females who want to continue their education but cannot. Aunty Gla is from that area, so once she heard Justine’s story she sponsored her and sent for her to come to Yaounde. When Justine’s was telling her story, I cried. She was so genuine and truly loves Aunty Gla and appreciates everything she has done for her. Aunty Gla is such an awesome person. Even though she is royalty in her village, she carries herself as a regular person who has a heart and has not forgotten her people. Yes, she works for the embassy and yes she went to school in Canada but unlike many Africans, she came back and is trying to help her people. Aunty Gla made me feel homesick. She has the motherly touch that everyone needs when they are far from home.

Below is a picture of Justine (she's the one in the purple)

Everyone, including Auntie Gla

That's it for this week. Wish me luck on my adventures up north!!!