A restful day in Foumban
Of course we woke up this morning to no water once again. However I did find out from Akilah that the water did come on somewhere about one in the morning. After reading the last of the book I turned over and went to sleep; the two of them stayed up and washed dishes, filled water bottles and then went to bed. Gees, I was hoping to wash clothes today. Haven’t since being here, between being on the road and not having water, there’s been no time; and pretty soon, I’ll be out of the essential clothing items. Can’t have that now, can we?
We all took our turns with bucket baths and set out for a walk to pick up Akilah’s pane (pronounced pon-ya) from an area tailor. She had to get this outfit made that all the members of this women’s group she’s in wear one day a week or month. It’s a show of solidarity.
During our walk I’m kind of happy because I get to see an area of Foumban I don’t on a daily basis. It’s a nice little walk we end up taking. When we finally get to where the house is, we first have to cross this little make shift foot bridge over a pretty deep and narrow ditch – that runs a pretty good distance.
When I say make shift, imagine about five or six thick and wide bamboo sticks bound together with a piece of metal tied on top of them. This did not make me feel easy. I’ve got this fear of height, right, and I’m walking over something that if I fall can get a little hurt. Or maybe a little more than a little. But seeing as how I was the only male within our triad, I had to suck it up and walk across; with my heart beating pretty fast. But I made it safely.
The tailor was outside of his home with a few friends, and greeted us when we walked up. Offering us seats as we went into the home, I was kind of taking in all the images, as this was my first time in the home of a Cameroonian since I’ve arrived. Wow. I didn’t get to see much of the rest of the house, but the front area was very spacious and according to Akilah extends back pretty far. Quite a few people begin living in their homes until they raise all the money necessary to complete its construction. Such was the case here.
The house was remarkably cool, and once complete I know will be a knockout. I look over to a corner of the front area and notice a pile of ash or dirt (don’t know which one) and in front of it a chicken. Hmmm? I bring it to the other two’s attention and they’re surprised to see the chicken in the house. Then we rationalize that it could be because she appeared to be ready to lay eggs. About fifteen minutes later I do see about two or three chicks pick out from the side of their mother, so I’m sure these must be recent hatchlings, and would explain why she was pretty much motionless.
We end up waiting for about fifteen minutes while the tailor completes something with the dress. Before he retreats to the back to complete his tasks, he first places a plate of bananas in front of us. Akilah hands one to Becky and then to me, but I decline. At this point the tailor is in the rear and they’re sure to tell me that it is against custom to refuse the hospitality when a Cameroonian offers something in their home.
My thought was I’m not hungry and don’t want to waste any food, but that does not matter in this case. After Akilah tried on the outfit and approved, we were about to leave out the door when he asked if they were taking the bananas (in french of course). They told that we’d eaten some (actually Akilah ate two – one for her and one for me); but he said he was giving the lot of them to us. “Oh, then we’ll take them,” Akilah says. And off we go.
Wow, not that I was ungrateful, but this was my first interaction with someone in their home, and I’m so used to not having to fake as if I want something to spare someone’s feelings. Some things, however, you just have to do. In the future, I now know, eat and enjoy, or as the tailor said as he handed us the bananas, “bon appetite.”
We walked back to the apartment, but not before taking a drink break, fruit drink that is, at the Madison Club. I had d’Jino and Akilah and Becky had this Peach Iced tea drink Becky had been seeing signs for. The woman serving us had a wool shawl or scarf around her neck and shoulders as if she were cold. It was a strange sight for us.
Amazingly though, most of my nights here in Africa were pretty chilly. I had no idea that it would be such a weather difference here. Not exactly what I expected.
As we’re almost home, we again see Gendarme tearing apart stands of various vendors. On our way to the tailors, Akilah saw some folks she knew and asked about yesterday’s activities. Turns out some time ago the city officials informed vendors to clean up their areas or face hefty fines and tariffs. This was the way they were setting the example. Since some of the folks didn’t do it, the officials did it for them.
Making it home for a quick breather, we took a cab with Becky to the agency gare just outside of town, she’s heading back to post; but we’ll be seeing her next weekend. I get to stay in a house that has no running water, but at least there’ll be a water source.
Dinner? Well, I got to do the honors. Made some pasta, prepared the leftover greens and plantains. Watched the Afrocentricity DVD and called it a night. The water did finally come on after midnight or so; so we figured out days the water is off, it must come on about eleven or so of that night. Hmmm? Don’t understand it, but we’ll know for the next time.