Still Alive! In Nyamsung

Hey! I'm sorry that I haven't blogged since I arrived in Cameroon, there has been a severe lack of internet haha. I spent a night in Brussels, after we missed our connecting flight, then one night in Douala, a city in Cameroon, one night in Yaounde where we met the Country Director. From there we then went to Bafia to meet our host families. Mine are in a little rural village called Nyamsung. The family consists of my mom, dad, grandma, 3 little sisters and 3 little brothers. So it is a bit hectic but always interesting. There is no running water and every once in a while we have electricity. However, the only things they own that require electricity are 3 light bulbs, so theres little difference when we don't have it haha. I wake up at 5:50 am to roosters and bird wars outside my window, take a bucket bath, have breakfast (powdered milk and bread is typical), then have the 15 min walk on a bright red, dirt road to training. I then leave training and head home to do chores, speak more french, and eat and do hw. Haha I'm usually in bed by 9pm, so my schedule is a bit different here then my college sleep schedule.

Food: I help my mom make the food in the kitchen, which is separate from the house. Fou-fou, aka cous-cous, is very common. Its not the cous cous that is known in the states. Its a prett laborious task, an the result is a thick starchy paste that you then eat with fish (typically) or beans. I've tried fish heads and termites! Termites are actually not too bad haha. I'd take that over the fish head.

I met the chief of my village. For some reason he visited me, the only trainee who was visited, and gave me a whole speech in French. SO of course I understood very little of it. But, after a little while I understood the honor, and understood that he asked me to say a prayer before dinner. So, I said this prayer in French. haha I haven't prayed in a long time, let alone in French, so it probably wasn't what they were expecting, but the Chief and my dad took it in stride. I was then presented with the fish head and some fou fou. It was a struggle getting that down, but I managed. It was all in all an interesting experience. i oly wish my french was better.

I've also tried african dance. THAT was a lot of fun. Haha watching a bunch of trainees dancing with those in the village....we all had no clue what we were doing, but it was all a lot of fun.

Cameroonians also like to drink.... haha.

my number is 011-237-75904785

skype me! I have service sometimes and I'd love to hear from everyone : ). Miss you guys and I hope all is well. Email me updates on your lives!

Staging

I'm currently sitting in the Holiday Inn, after a fairly long day emotionally and physically and have officially met my fellow trainees, who all seem like amazing people. I'm still a bit anxious about the flight tomorrow but knowing that these great people are in the same boat as me, and are going to be at my side, is very comforting. I know this blog is short but I'll try to post another as soon as I can when I land in Cameroon!! TOMORROW!

Here we go...

Hey everyone! I've never been a huge fan of blogs, but I figure this is as good a time as any to start. Tomorrow morning I will be heading to Philly for Staging, which is basically an orientation. Here I will be with my fellow trainees and Peace Corps personnel, learning about what's to be expected. We will be spending the night there and on Thursday head to JFK for our flight to Yaounde, Cameroon.

Am I excited? absolutely. Am I terrified? definitely. I have been battling a constant state of anxiety since most of the goodbyes began. However, this adventure (which is one of the best ways I can describe it) will no doubt be unbelievable. I will just try to see, learn, help, and have as much fun as possible along the way. A lot of people have asked me why I chose to do this, and the best answer I can give is that it is just too good to pass up. I would regret not going, not seeing and learning a new culture, having new adventures, seeing new faces, and maybe even helping as I go. The question, really, is why wouldn't I want to go.

This does not mean that I don't currently feel that nausea and back of the throat feeling after my goodbyes. I truly love my family and friends soo much and thank them all for supporting me. I will miss you all very much but will stay in touch the best I can, and please, you do the same! Thanks for everything!