Week 4

Exciting news! I have received my post. My home for the next two years will be Bokito, Center Province. It's close to the nation's capitol and about 3 hours travel from Mbalmayo. Tomorrow I meet the principal of the lycée (high school) where I'll be teaching. Apparently he's staying with the family of another stagiare, but that's another story. I will more than likely be visiting this week, probably with 2 or 3 other trainees. I'm both excited and scared to see my post. I just hope I have running water and electricity.

My host family said Bokito is on the road to the West province. I hope I get lots of visitors and can travel easily myself. If it's as close as it looks, I can visit the PC office regularly and have easy access to free internet, a washer/dryer, mail, and banking. My only disappointment is that I've already seen the Center province. The weather will be comparable to Mbalmayo and the Center doesn't seem as interesting as some of the other provinces. However, the volunteer makes her post and I have big plans! (Including a cat, so someone needs to send a flea collar.)

We had language interviews on Friday and I'm sure I bombed mine. I get nervous and forget the simplest French words. Model School begins next week, so we won't haev more time for formal French classes. The Monday we return from site visit (week from tomorrow) I teach the first 3 hours in a row. It's terrifying. I know which levels Im teaching but not the topics. I have to write the lesson plan next week. We are finally moving from theoretical training to practical experience. Hopefully I'll be more comfortable when school starts in September.

Last night some musically inclined stagiares hosted a concert. Afterwards a large group of us went to a "boite de nuit" or night club. I invited my host sister without remembering that in Cameroon an invitiation means one has to pay for everything! Oops! I had to borrow money, but we didn't drink that much or stay out very late. I think one visit to the club is enough for me. Yesterday I also tried koki at a friend's house. It's ground beans with piment and oil then put in a banana leaf and steamed, like African tamales. It's delicious, but a little hot for me. My stagiare neighbor made Mexican food for dinner and it was incredible. I ate a lot yesterday.

I watched the World Cup last week. My host family rooted for Italy because the French team is all from Africa. Since Le Pen wants to send all African immigrants in France home, it's hypocritical and so they root for Italians (whom I remember as being very racist also) instead. Personally, I was disappointed that both teams were from Europe.

We've had several current PCVs on site recently for AIDS/GYD, first aid, and environmental education training. It's interesting and enjoyable to talk with them, although you can definitely tell who's been in country longest. :-)

Thursday's soccer game ended in a tie. I'm really enjoying the weekly game, and it's pretty incredible just to watch Cameroonian footwork. I am trying to upload pictures to Snapfish right now, so if you have that info you can check them. Or email my parents.

A bientot!