Friday 22 October 2010

Who would have thought?

Who would have thought that Dave and I would be living and working in sub-Saharan Africa?

Who would have thought that we would be sleeping in a bed of questionable quality, with a pink fleecy blanket with a big picture of Barbie on it?

Who would have thought that in such a hot country, the water could feel soooo cold?

Who would have thought that I, the night owl, was going to bed as early as 8:30 and getting up at 6? 

Who would have thought that mud could be a slippery as ice?

Who would have thought that you could hold a conference for over 300 people with no toilet facilities?

Who would have thought that you can do off road without going off the road?
 
Who would have thought that there still existed trains where the toilet, with it shiny stainless steel seat, reveals a hole straight through to the tracks when flushed?

Who would have thought that at 58, Dave would be learning to ride a motor bike?

Who would have thought that putting a flashlight/torch on the end of a cell/mobile phone would be such a great idea?

Who would have thought that after only 7 months, our stay would be cut short….

Thursday 14 October 2010

Julie's Visit

I am very sad to say that Julie's visit is almost over – but I am so grateful that she was able to come and spend this very special time with us.
We returned to Bamenda with Julie on Wednesday night, just in time for our usual Wednesday night fish at Bob's where Julie was able to meet some of our friends who all knew how anxiously we had awaited this visit. The next morning, Julie was off and running to check out her volunteer placement, the Cameroon Baptist Conference Health Board, so that the following day, she was already off to Mbingo Hospital with our colleague. She has been volunteering there ever since.
We have had a great time with Julie, interspersed with dinners out with other VSO volunteers and colleagues, visits to our workplaces etc. We have kept busy.
The highlight of the visit was surely the visit to Kumbo some 100 km or 3 – 5 hours away, depending on the condition of the roads. I won't bore you with yet another description of what is no more than a series of muddy pot holes and ruts. We arrived at our colleague's Catherine, a palliative care doctor volunteering in Kumbo.  Cat lives in a nice house way up on a hill with beautiful views.  Check out the poinsettias in her neighbour's yard .
We had a nice lunch – cassava chips and tomato sauce. Then Julie and Catherine set off for the hospital where Julie was introduced and invited to help. That evening, Catherine had a few friends over and we enjoyed some home made pizza that she made with cheese that we had brought.
Saturday morning, we were up very early as it was Palliative Car Day and there was a special mention at Chapel at 7 in the morning. Chapel happens 3 times each week. Several hospital staff come for prayers and announcements. Catherine made a nice short speech explaining palliative care and others on her team described the difference they were making in people’s lives. At the end, Cat introduced Julie who said a few words.
After Chapel we went to the canteen for some good omelettes. Julie then headed to the paediatrics ward to help Mona, a German volunteer paediatrician. Cat took Dave and I on a tour of the hospital. That sure brought home how lucky we are. Walking through the wards where the beds are not the fancy adjustable beds we have in hospitals at home but steel frame straight cots, the sheets and blankets are thin and sparse and the doctors manage with limited resources makes you grateful with what you have access to.

After that we went off to Cat's, to meet up with more friends for food and good times. The evening found us at a local pub for beer (of course) and chicken and joined other expats for discussions and story telling. The real adventure started when it was time to get home. Being the rainy season, it poured and being after 7:30, there were no cabs available. In this rain, there was no question of walking home, so we hailed two motorcycles. So here we are, Julie and Cat on a bike with no headlights and Dave and I on another going up this hill, getting to the muddy ruddy part and getting soaked. My sweater is still wet! Having no choice, we broke every VSO rule riding after dark on a bike with no helmets. And this was my first time ever on a motorcycle!
Sunday started off with a lovely brunch with friends. Cat prepared yam cakes and Dave stepped up to the plate by making some delicious pancakes with honey. We started our trip home at 11:30 and made good time, covering the 100 kms in about 3.5 hours.
We are back in Bamenda. Julie is finalizing some presentations she is giving this week and finishing off her volunteering. Sunday, we are back on the bus to take her to Yaounde. Time does go by too quickly some times.