and then we ate rabbit

caution - sensitive persons should skip to paragraph 3


After an insane week (or two) we are officially Peaces Corps volunteers. The night before our swearing-in ceremony our host family decided to make a feast of sorts for us. I left the house at a very inopportune moment to meet a friend and saw my host brother and sister holding a white rabbit down with a giant knife to its' throat. Now as most of you know, although not a vegetarian I did have pet bunnies growing up and thus it was quite unfortunate that I stumbled upon the scene. After sprinting past, one hand blocking my vision, I heard the rabbit utter its last, yet very loud screams.

The whole experience was rather like killer rabbit scene in Monty Python Search for the Holly Grail, except of course the ending: Dinner was served, guests were invited, and then we ate rabbit. (yes, I did manage to choke it down. . . Matt thought it tasted like chicken, but I beg to differ).

So swearing-in was pretty incredible. The US ambassador to Cameroon was there along with the Country Director and some ministers, etc. We all wore matching fabric that is the design of the local Bamileke people. After the ceremony, there was a dinner with the families, one last meal at our favorite omelet shack, and a neighborhood party. I got to dance with all of my favorite kids to the same four songs, which played over and over the entire night. We will miss everyone in Bangangte, but we are ready to start the real adventure!

-S