Etisah Beach (Mile 8)
Today was pretty good. I didn’t wake up in time enough to have a pre-dawn meal, but I did brush my teeth; and when you’re fasting for Ramadhan this is a very important task. There’s nothing like forgetting to brush your teeth and not being able to eat, drink or chew anything to rid yourself of the taste or smell. I know from experience.
Akilah, Becky and myself head to the Limbé Wildlife Center (LWC) to see the animals they have there. We arrive after me, the newbie to the country, realizes that our taxi is about to pass the LWC; Akilah and Becky were engrossed in some conversation, philosophical in nature I think.
The LWC was actually really nice. The cost was 250 CFAs, not bad (doing the equation I’m always doing now, that’s about thirty-five cents or so. However, if you want to take photos its like 1000 CFAs. Akilah figures this must be to make the center accessible to everyone, but put a reasonable tariff on those who can afford cameras (read: tourists).
At the LWC they actually serve as a refuge for endangered species. Most of the residents here are primates, and they were either young ones turned in by hunters who killed the parents, or were found by individuals. One chimp, Jackson, was found on the beach drinking a Fanta.
Other than the primates, there was a viper, a duiker (a second had been eaten by a dog prior to the LWC enclosing the area) and a couple of crocs. The LWC was once the home of the largest python in the area, however, he passed a year before.
In all its worth visiting, and can be a very educational experience. Akilah and Becky kind of discussed that its interesting that in a country were it almost appears that there are no animal rights, that there are several individuals that care enough to have such a place. What was more inspiring was that our tour guide was a like a sophomore student (in Cameroon their grade system is different but he is the equivalent of high school). So inspired were we that we gave our tour guide 500 CFAs (twice the entrance fee); you should’ve seen the smile on Glen’s face when he recognized what I’d given him.
So, now its time to purchase a few items from the boulangerie. Today is Anita’s birthday and we’re planning on doing a small surprise gathering for her. We pick up some snacks, popcorn (that we have to make ourselves) and a six-pack of water. Drinking bottled water in the states is almost like a delicacy, but here in Cameroon it’s a necessity since the water filtration system is not the same quality as those in the states.
Finished shopping, we now head to the Limbé case (short for “case de passage”). They’ve got a cell phone there and Becky needs to call home, and we need to make popcorn for tonight’s party. Yeah, cell phone. There are a few areas where one can get decent cell phone service. Mostly the provincial capitols; it’s expected to make it through the other areas soon. That’s the same with internet access.
After finishing this, we head to the old market area; Becky and Akilah want to pick up some avocadoes. Since I’ve not yet been a fan of them, I tag along just for the outing. The market area is not bad, just crowded and a little dirty for my tastes; and that’s keeping in mind that there’s nothing but dirt here.
Its now daybreak, while walking back to the main road from the market, and I stop to say a short prayer before breaking fast with a swig of water. It was very much needed my mouth was bone dry!
We also pass Anita and Anicet and try to hide the bag of popcorn and snacks from her view. We do so successfully.
Since it was now okay for me to eat now, we try to figure out where we’re going. Becky’s had far too many omelets this week so she and Akilah walk to find some street food while I rest, I’m famished and don’t want to walk too much. They come back after a successful hunt and we go a few buildings down to where there’s an outside eatery serving rice, beans, beignets and some carnivorous items.
At first sight I’m like, okay where do they have me eating? Just imagine a place on the side of a building with picnic tables for the seating and one not much higher for the table. But the food was very, very good. I was definitely content after this; I’m wondering how can such a place serve such good food? I had rice and beans, and beignets. The cost was only 200 CFAs and the beignets were 10 CFAs each. This is the type of budget I can live on and be happy for life! A meal for less than a buck.
Anita and Anicet came past and had a meal as well. Afterwards the three of us went looking for ice cream (well that’s what they call it), and the other two went looking for some other items. We caught a taxi back to the hotel, this time we didn’t forget the flashlights, and set up for the party-type get together.
Since I’d originally purchased my laptop specifically to bring with me to Cameroon, I had to pick up a few DVDs for Akilah to see some of the movies she’s missed since being here. Tonight, along with the snacks, we were going to watch the movie Elizabeth. I’ve seen it about four times already, but its good, and we figured Anita would like this one – and when you consider the other choices were X-Men,
Cleopatra Jones, Devil in a Blue Dress and a few others, this was probably one everyone would appreciate.
About fifteen minutes later, Becky and Akilah (who’d left out to leave a note for Anita) came back to the room with our “guest” of the night. She was very appreciative and surprised, and we had a pretty good evening. The movie was a bit of a learning period for some since the full circumstances of Queen Elizabeth’s reign were not necessarily taught in school.