Return to Post

So, after some civil unrest we are heading back to post. The director of the Agroforestry program showed up last Thursday for what we thought was a routine site visit, but then he told us that we were being pulled out of Mambele. At first, we believed that he was joking because immediately after he announced that we had to leave he gave us both a round of high fives (note - he does have a tendency to grin and giggle over even the most serious subjects). Later that night we packed up our bags not knowing if we would be able to come back; both of us felt that it wasn't goodbye, but is was still emotionally trying to drive away from our friends and village.

After our traumatic departure we waited for news in Yokadouma for a couple days and started to feel better once we heard that striking had tapered off in the capital. We spent the rest of the week in Batouri hanging out at a friend's house, he is a volunteer from our same training, so we got to catch-up, eat "city food", and watch movies (and by movies I mean 10 episodes of the Office). Although we tried to downplay just how great our assignment is, we tended to talk of Mambele and the WWF nonstop. Our friend's jealousy peaked when a brand new WWF landcruiser pulled up, a/c on, to drive us to Bertoua.

We have been told that the rainy season starts mid-March, which is somewhat confusing because it has rained almost everyday for the past week and a half (in fact, it's raining right now). If the current rain doesn't count, I feel like we must be in for torrential downpours all day, everyday, until December (yes, our rainy season is 9 months long). We walked to the office this morning taking every precaution not to slip and fall in the mud, which is especially embarrassing because no one else seems to have this difficulty. Women in tiny, strappy sandals walk briskly, managing to somehow stay clean and balance giant loads on their heads (no hands).

We took some mint tea and omelets today and our favorite little hole in the wall (literally). The best part about breakfast was when the couple who runs the restaurant found out that we are working together and married, the husband let out a little cheer and clapped his hands with delight. Ah, the many unexpected benefits of marriage. I also got points for being named Sarah, think "wife of Abraham", so thanks Mom and Dad. Anyway, that is all for now, we should have internet connection again sometime in April. Enjoy the spring skiing!

-S