African Arrival!

So, apparently here in Cameroon, they take the Rainy Season very seriously.  For those of you who did not know this, the sun does not exist here.  So much for my new sporty sunglasses!

I MADE IT!  I am here and have spent my first night in the volunteer ... 'house'.  It definitely is not the Ritz, and at first glance was overwhelmingly upsetting, but after a couple of beers and good long talk with my fellow volunteer Andy and our lead coach/host Lucas, I felt a lot better and was able to grab a rare 8 hour sleep. 

The first few hours in Cameroon were STRESSFUL.  After a lost baggage situation (not mine), 3 road-side wildfires, watching people hang off the back of 18 wheelers, the seemingly endless rows of shanty/huts filled with people just having a good time.  I have learned that while front doors, bathrooms, and food are not what we Canadians are used to; Cameroonians and Canadians have some great similarities in that we love beer and on a Friday and Saturday night we are out looking for a pub to drink beer and yell over the loud music while we converse with close friends. 

The people so far have been very very nice and welcoming.  Some of the cultural differences include public yelling matches and snapping/other random sounds when trying to get someone's attention.  Seeing that the native language in this city is a combo of English, Cameroon Dialects and German niether myself or Andy have any idea what anyone is saying half the time or with what emotion they are trying to convey it in.

Later today we will be going to the local soccer field/football pitch to watch a Cameroonian Premiere League Game ... it should be interesting.  But I am very excited to see what a public sporting event is here as I grossly underestimated how much they love soccer here.  It really is all they think or care about ... besides beer and church.

I am having facebook difficulties so for those of you who were expecting a facebook message ... stay tuned.  As soon as I get a chance I will also be posting some pictures to the blog.

For now that is all I am going to report but I am here, I am safe, I am adjusting and I am very excited for the events of the coming 3 months to unfold.

Also, if by any chance she is reading this I would like to extend a thank you to Tina Fey whose book helped me through my first night here.

Love to all ... speak to you soon.

Josh