Likes and Dislikes

We are borrowing this format of likes and dislikes from Harmony’s dear friend Rob in Colombia. We hope there is no fine for such an egregious violation of intellectual property rights! J/K

Dislikes

1. That the fee for a research permit increased just before my arrival from 10,000cfa to 500,000cfa (just a slight increase from $20 to $1000).

2. The little sparks that fly out of the socket when I try to plug in my laptop.

3. Although entertaining for…oh…about 5 minutes, the loud, pig-like snorting and duck-like honking sounds of the 5 million neighborhood frogs that get their groove on when the sun goes down.

4. Old greasy Frenchmen who hit on our lovely 15-year-old host sister.

5. The bandit-infiltrated taxi system of Yaounde and crazy-ass taxi drivers.

6. Imperious Americans at the US Embassy who scoff at the Cameroonians working in the cafeteria because they can’t make “perfect” coffee and have it on time, ESPECIALLY on the first morning of the work week.

Likes

1. Usuman: the Fulani business man who knows everybody and their mother; the guy knew so many people at the airport, he walked right past the immigration line to give Sadie free passage…and at customs as well. We also got our Cameroonian drivers’ licenses within a day.

2. Habiba’s fine, fine cooking – me oh my!

3. 4 host sisters who seem to have this incredible balance of self-confidence and humility.

4. Cameroonian employees at the US Embassy who are presently trying to get Fulbrighters exempted from the g*d d*mn $1000 research fee.

5. The fancy internet café with high-speed access that’s just a 10-15 minute walk from Usuman’s house.

6. Cameroonian yoghurt; it actually tastes like yoghurt (unlike most US brands).

Pics below: view from Usuman and Habiba’s balcony and 2 of our 4 host sisters, Adama and Halima