A walk alone

Today was the first time I’ve ventured off on my on. Had to do some walking so I decided why not just go; go out and just follow one of the roads. That’s exactly what I did; Akilah was at the apartment still sleeep. Just started walking towards the main road and while doing that decided “Why not look for the Artisanant?” This is where there’s supposed to be quite a bit of handcrafted masks, chairs, stools and other ornaments. So I did.

Amidst all the stares and weird looks I kept going, needed to walk my mind clear. I turned on the road leading to the Artisanant and noticed a group of guys practicing football (remember, not American football) on the field. Of course being the American I am, I wondered why they were practicing on a field that got them beyond soiled at a time when there’s no running water?

At another time Akilah reminded me that they’re used to these conditions. As such, most people have become accustomed to storing large amounts of water in the home. Wow, the things you take for granted when you’re from the “west.” Life does have to go on, despite any adversities.

I pass this shack like structure that has something written on a sign above, and it included the word “artisanant.” So I’m thinking, “this can not be the place that is supposed to be “the rave” of the sculptures and masks of Foumban. So believing that couldn’t hardly be it, I keep going.

Good thing I did, because about a half mile or so down the road were several stores or buildings with the signage “Artisanant.” Phew! I actually pass about three of them, because instinct tells me to keep going. There’s one building that does seem to draw me in, and luckily so, because the road splits about fifty yards ahead. Why is that important? Well, after passing all these folks who are surely interested in which shop I may choose, I don’t want to appear as though I don’t know my way around. Vane, huh?

There were quite a few masks on the wall (mostly duplicates), and the floor was full with various stools, wall hangings, and other items I have no clue what they were. I kind of walked around to give the appearance of browsing until a gentleman entered and began speaking in French. Ooops, how am I going to purchase something if I can’t ask specifics.

Taking a chance, I asked the gentleman if he spoke english; he did. So we began conversing about some of the items there and the prices. I told him I was particularly interested in a chair. Most of the chairs at the apartment are not too comfortable for a person my size. He pulls one out from nowhere, and I instantly fall in love with it. The craftsmanship on the chair is amazing. Its hard to believe the detail that someone can put into something like this. How do you place a price tag upon it?

Of course I wanted to see what his tag was. The price? He actually kept a straight face while telling me the chair was 40000 CFAs; and that was the PC price. Now the work of art is wonderful, but for that much? I don’t know. Later when I returned home, I asked Akilah the going rate for them, as far as she can remember they should run between 20000 CFAs and 25000 CFAs. Ha, some PC price.

After that conversation though, I did read in one of the guidebooks here at the apartment, that the Artisanant shop owners can go for two to three hours of negotiating a price until finally settling. That would explain why the gentleman offered for me to sit in the chair while we talked. Should’ve known it was a set up.

Actually, I started figuring something was not right when I inquired about the cost of a few stools. Now the chair was very nice, as were the stools, but should they have cost the same as the chair? I don’t think so. If I had read the guidebook prior to taking my walk, I would’ve known what was up and may have stayed a few hours; just to see what I could get him to.

Well, tonite’s dinner was stir fried rice, compliments of moi. Yep, for some reason I knew I should get used to cooking a few of the meals. Good thing too, and actually once I get started in the task I usually wonder why I don’t do it more. Probably because at home its much easier to throw something in the oven and wait a bit until its done. No microwaves though, not to sure about the effects of those things.

Since I partially relied on cooking directions from the book Akilah purchased from the PC, I was actually able to piece together my version of stir fry. Wasn’t bad either; was very proud of myself. Now I’ll go home and cook more often; yeah right.