Beginning the end of a journey
We awoke this morning with the intentions of getting an early start to Douala. However, it seemed as if the forces in Bafoussam had other plans for us at the moment. I left the casse with Marcellus to head to the cyber café to pick up the CD from Pat and compose a few other emails. I think Akilah and Becky left out about an hour after me (9:30).
When we arrived at the café and we were in time to grab a computer to take advantage of the recently completed connection to the internet. I was able to take care of a few of the details I needed to, and Marcellus was able to send out his as well. While there I decided to sneak a peak at my website and determine about how much “unanswered” email was in my “pop-mailbox.” I’m not sure of the exact number, but the size of my box was almost 17mb worth of files; that’s quite a bit of mail. Guess if you consider I averaged fifty or more per day, that’s should be about right.
Akilah and Becky went to the bank to pick up some much needed money. Little did I know that our journey would be slightly delayed because of their stop. Marcellus and I made it to the cyber café and returned, he left out to get something to eat and returned, then he went to his bank and returned, and they still had not come back to the casse.
In all they were gone for at least three hours; during all that time they were in line at Credit Lyonnais. We’d all forgotten that it was still the beginning of the month, and as such, there were a number of people picking up their salaries. By the time they’d arrived back at the casse, I was pretty much ready to turn right around and head to Binam (for our trip to Douala).
After eating an omelet sandwich and collecting mail from Becky and Amy, we finally headed out. I said my good-byes to Amy, Todd, Akeyah and Becky (who walked us to the road for a taxi), and started on the beginning of my journey’s end.
We arrived at Binam amidst the screaming chargeurs, as Akilah paid the taxi driver I immediately rushed to the back to grab our bags before they began pulling them in several directions. It was good I did so; there was a little boy and a chargeur grabbing the bags as I got back there. After giving a firm “No!” I grabbed the bags from them and walked over to Binam.
After Akilah paid for the tickets we placed the bags near the end of the bus so they could be loaded. While she watched the bags I walked off to pick up a few snacks for our journey. By the time I’d returned Akilah informed me the chargeur wanted money to place the baggage at the top of the bus, claiming there was a sign that indicated we had to pay for having large bags placed up there. Yeah right!
As she went to look for the sign and ask the woman at the counter (she claimed it was on the back of the tickets; not!) about the policy I insisted I had no intentions on paying someone for doing something they’re supposed to. By the time another chargeur came over to the bags, he began asking for 500 CFAs per bag. What!
Akilah spoke to him in French, but I kept going in English. I essentially told him I had no intentions on paying to have my bags put on the top; that if none of them were willing to do it, I would climb the ladder and do it myself. He kept trying to say stuff in French, then I basically said to him that he could keep acting as if he didn’t understand me, but I knew he understood my English perfectly well.
After that statement he let out a little grin. Once that happened I knew I had the upper hand. I told him that I would not pay for my bags, if he wanted a tip, then he should leave it to me to determine how much I would give him and not demand. The next thing I know he begins grabbing the baggage to place on top of the bus. Hmph, I won. When he was done I gave him 300 CFAs for carrying the bags there because I knew they were heavy.
Part of me can understand that most Cameroonians probably don’t tip after having heavy sacks of produce and animals placed on the vehicles, so the guys made an informal policy about carrying things that are heavier. However, I refuse to allow someone to dictate something that is a choice. Let me decide, sometimes they never know, there may be more in it for them if they allow certain folks to do so.
Our trip to Douala was long and eventless, though we were stopped three times by gendarme. After the second stop, Akilah commented that she wouldn’t be surprised if the produce seller’s (who always seem to be at a stop) paid the gendarme to stop vehicles so they could get sales. If I remember correctly, I don’t ever remember seeing anyone questioned for something at these stops. Maybe it’s a coincidence, but there are always a dozen or so people selling groundnuts, carrots, pineapple, Batons de Manioc or soya (meat). How do they know to wait at a gendarme stop? Or even where they’ll be?
When we arrived at the Binam agency in Douala, five hours later, we attempted to find a taxi to take us directly to the hotel. Everyone wanted 2000 CFAs, but I’d already determined I wasn’t paying anymore than 1000 CFAs to 1500 CFAs. After asking three drivers, the second decided to take us for 1500 CFAs when he noticed someone else offering to take us for that amount.
Arriving at the hotel was like going into a brief time warp. As soon as the bell person opened the door, the air conditioning whooshed out at us. In the lobby we felt underdressed and “villegois,” as everyone else either had on suits or non-red stained casual clothing. At the counter the woman asked if we had a reservation and promptly handed me the check-in form to complete. When done she asked for my credit card, as I wanted to pay for the room in advance, to process the payment.
Imagine, another place in Cameroon where I’m able to make a payment for something using a credit card. As much as I hate to admit it, sometimes plastic is just a little more convenient. Especially considering I’m actually using a checkcard.
The Ibis Hotel is wonderful, the staff is nice (and bilingual) and the facilities are consistent with what most would expect. Even the room service staff was nice about bringing us a vegetarian meal for the evening. If you want my advice, if you plan on coming to Douala, I’d highly recommend staying here as opposed to the much higher priced Le Meridien. Tomorrow we’re gonna take a look at that hotel, just to see if the 89000 CFAs per room price is warranted.