Last night I went to see the Scissor sisters in concert by accident - you may ask how I accidentally ended up being in the O2 arena going to such an event. Well on Wednesday Becky and I were on an admin day and up pops this email from charitable funds saying they have 2 tickets to the concert first come first served money to Sobel house hospice. We often get these emails but as we are ward based it is always days after the event so as we were there at the time we thought we would give it a try thinking they would have gone already. I phone them up and the tickets are ours - bargain. Only problem Becky was doing a late the next day so many frantic phone calls to other staff and the lovely John swapped - thanks John you are a star. We then figured out how we would get to the arena which is the old millennium dome and Becky said she would drive.
So last night we pootled down there, straight through the middle of London past St Paul's, the Gherkin, Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square it took just a mere 4 hours! The arena is great loads of restaurants around the outside then once inside loads of fast food places. We missed the support act who we had never heard of and got our seats ready for the main act. Pretty good seats in the first tier right by the stage. They did a bunch of stuff off the new album I do not have but played all the old faithfuls also. It was a great show but I did expect more costume changes! I did love the guitarists half black half sequined suit though and the stage was shaped like the logo which was pretty cool. all in all it was a great show. Then we had great fun driving home through the middle of London taking a wrong turn and driving over Tower Bridge twice - satnav is rubbish - well I already knew that but now I have it confirmed.
It has to be said that the two best bits of a meal are the starters and deserts. So when Mum told me about this pub in Suffolk that has a starters and puddings evening we were desperate to go. They run the evening in The Lion Inn about once every few months so she got the dates for us and we planed a trip to Suffolk to see the parents and have a feast. We have been planning this for ages as they first told us about the pub before we went to Cameroon!
The evening did not disappoint. you get four courses, ordering each one one at a time. You can choose how many starters and how many deserts you have. Paul, a family friend went for one starter and three deserts where Joe and I went three starters and one desert. The food was delicious and there was a great choice, which made it difficult to narrow it down to four in total.
It was a great way to spread an evening as the staff did not rush you from course to course. So I have brie squares, then butterfly king prawns and breaded mushrooms (shared half and half with Joe) then chicken tika rolls. Then for my desert toffee lumpy bumpy. What a wonderful evening.
Thursday was my birthday so to celebrate I cooked a five course cheese meal. You may think this is a little odd but if you remember back to some of the posts I wrote whilst in Cameroon, cheese was one of the biggest things I missed. I have been planning and fantasising about this meal for months - no really I have!!So it went like thisTo nibble - (whilst opening presents) Baked Camembert with french breadTo start - Feta with asparagus, parma ham and saladFor main - Salmon with almonds and Gruyere with riceFor desert - what else buy cheese cakeAnd of course to end cheese and biscuits.It was wonderful I spend the morning getting the stuff together, lazy lunch in town with Emily then cooked in the evening. I only felt too cheesed out by the cheese and biscuits. It was my first attempt at cheese cake and as I forgot to add the lemon juice (oops) it did not quite set!! But tasted yummy!!There are photos to come but we do not have the computer set up at home yet so watch this space.PS My husband is so fantastic that he recovered my deleted photos from Cameroon of our send off parties so they will soon be on Picasa.
Last weekend I went on a hen night to Spain - i know this sounds very glamorous after spending a year in Cameroon and being skint but my friends and Joe offered to pay my flight and we stayed in the hens Grandma's apartment so I could not say no!
It was a complete reversal to the life I had become used to, out every night with so many drinks to choose from I got quite lost in it all!!
We had great fun spending each day on the beach, now I really look like I have been in Africa for a year. the big night out was in Benidorm which i was dreading. It is really not my scene and I am far to old for this sort of thing. We arrived and I really did not want to get out of the car it was terrifying. We were dressed as nuns which attracted lots of unwanted attention but we all took it on the chin and soon put the men in their place. We actually had a great time. Tessa and I were completely lost trying to dance as she too has been out the country. I just went for the good old Cameroonian shrug of the shoulders - goes great with dance music. Louise was a star fulfilling all her dares and we got home at 8:30am.
The rest of the week was a little quieter staying in Calpe few drinks and a bit of karaoke. A great time was had by all and a special well done to Frankie and Tessa the two non-nurses, especially as I was being filling in on so much nursey talk all the time! (photos to follow)
We are currently living as nomads, I worked out over the space of a month I would be sleeping in 10 different places. moving round trying to see everyone filling in time before we get our house back on the 7th July. Living out of a suitcase is not easy and trying to remember where we out everything before we left - Joe cannot find his battle of the planets t-shirt and is gutted.
Soon however we have the mammoth task of driving around the country collecting our stuff from various family members - thanks guys and trying to unpack our house. It has been tough feeling we do not belong anywhere and cannot completely settle, I look forward to relaxing again in our own house. but it will not be for long we hope to sell up and move away from the chaves. We would love our Cameroonian neighbours to come and live next to us as apposed to the noisy neighbours we have now - but we cannot have everything.
We have pretty much settled in to life in the UK, it was not too hard. starting work on Monday will be strange but i am looking forward to it, getting my teeth in to some acute nursing will be fun!
Have more photos and stuff to post but will wait till we are set up at home with broadband again - any suggestions of a good provider?
Last night Joe and I went to to see Pirates of the Caribbean, At worlds End. We were very excited about it as we got a little obsessed with pirates while we were in Cameroon and watched the two first films about 5 times each.
when we got home everyone told us the new film was pretty rubbish but we had to see it for ourselves and just watching Captain Jack was bound to be fun.
Well we enjoyed it, some parts were very silly but that is pirates for you we expect it. Captain Jack did not let us down and at points there were loads of him of screen at once. the story line was complicated but easy enough to follow especially if you know the history of the characters. It was great to watch it on the big screen, just like film night at Bills place but the pop corn cost way more!!
All in all a very enjoyable evening.
I have read quite a lot of American literature whilst in Cameroon, this is because our great local book shop - books and things mostly sold American books. I have really enjoyed them all and also enjoyed Huckleberry Finn. Once you get used to the dialects people are speaking in it becomes an easy read with a charming story.
The book is as you would expect full of adventure and mishap as Huckleberry Finn and Jim make there way down river. I guess I should now read the adventures of Tom Sawyer to find out what antics he and his friends get up to.
We are currently spending a week with may parents then on Friday we move to Watchfield to be with Joe's parents. It has been pretty busy, lots of people want to talk to us and catch up with us which is great but pretty tiring.
Over the weekend we have managed to fit in two of Joe's greatest friends - which is funny as we are in my home town. So Sunday we went to a medieval fair to see James and Sonia who were working there doing puppetry with their company Theatre of the Small. It felt like going from one end of the scale to the other, Cameroon to medieval England! We wondered round and watched the puppet show then enjoyed a beer together.
Monday we went to Aldebrough, a lovely seaside town up the coast from my parents. It was a cold day but we sat of the beach. Bill here is a picture of an English shingle beach for you - not quite Batoke! We then shared a delicious meal with Devi and Chris. Each meal is like an adventure at the moment eating is even more fun that usual.
Many people have said to us return culture shock is one of the hardest things about living away from home. I however do not really feel I have experienced this. Coming home everything is as I remembered it. I can remember what Ipswich town centre is like and do not feel out of place being there. I remember that there are tons of clothes shops with loads of clothes and do not feel shocked about it.
Maybe we were not away for long enough or maybe I am just shallow but so for I do not really think I have experienced a culture shock. Yes it is very clean and there is so much to choose from which is difficult but not shocking.
Maybe it will hit us more when we return to our own house or work. currently we feel like we are on holiday going here and there dossing around at my parents. Maybe once we start work it will hit us. I think however you adapt pretty quickly to whatever surrounding you.
so here we are in the UK and in some ways it feels like we never left. Although choosing a new phone was difficult as there were just so many to choose from. And when looking in the clothes shops I had no idea what to like!
Well are trip home went so well. We were so worried we had a suitcase full of masks and were sure we would be over weight and get mega hassle at the airport explaining my pacemaker and the flight would be late etc. etc. Oh there was so much to worry about. It all went very well, check in was easy, we paid 5000 francs (£5) for our masks at customs. The airport staff have to be the friendliest I have ever met and were so helpful. Once I managed to explain my pacemaker (Don't think they get many through Douala) there was no problem, in fact they did not even do a hand check at either of the two check points - naughty. The flight was on time and we even arrived early! We did get our water taken away at the gate once we were unable to buy any more air side which was a little annoying.
the plane food had to be the best I have had, situational rather than tasted I think, anything would have tasted good - we got cheese!! Did not sleep much so were very tired.
We then had our day in Brussels apart from really tired we had a great day. It is a beautiful city, apart from the fact it took 1 1/2 hours to get breakfast as everywhere opened at 10! We had waffles and beer and of course and ham and cheese toasted sandwich. We visited the comic museum and got back to the airport in time for our flight. Our final flight was great it was a business class only flight - not sure why we were on it! It arrived on time and we were out the airport within 15 minutes with all 4 of our bags.
So tomorrow we go home, I cannot believe it after almost 11 months in Cameroon it is time to return - eek! This will be the last blog entry I write from Cameroon as we are very busy over the next two days. I have spent lots of time with Helen handing everything over. This evening I complete my final HIV educators' course. Tomorrow we still need to pack - there is nothing like being organised. Then we leave tomorrow evening and take an overnight flight to Brussels.
Life remains interesting right to the end of our stay, this afternoon we are appearing in Tata Kingue's music video. Not sure if it will happen or not but its all fun! Life will apper boring once we are home!
So we have a couple days more of goodbyes and then we are off. Saying goodbye is hard, when we left the UK we knew we were coming back and would see everyone again no we do not know if we will ever see these people again it makes it very difficult. These people have been our friends and 'family' for almost a year and now it is goodbye.
I have very mixed feelings about going home. There is so much I am looking forward to but so much from here I will miss. I have recently been feeling work is progressing well so it is hard to leave it. I know it will be in good hands with Helen but I feel I am leaving just as everything is established.
When we came here we did not really know what to expect, what it would look like, smell like, feel like etc. Going home we know what to expect so my feelings are very different. Coming here was exciting going home is also exciting but in a different way. It does not feel like an adventure this time but there is plently things to look forward to.
Life is all about new beginnings coming here was one so going home will be too. I look forward to what it will bring but I am sure life will not be quite as interesting!
This week has been busy. I collected Helen from the aiport after a six hour delay as her plane got struck by lightening, don't worry she was fine at said it was very pink.
We then had a few days of showing her around Buea and explaining the work. I have not pretty much handed over so am just tying up the loose ends.
We have had a week of parties. Wednesday was our send off at the house. There were speeches, ours were short and the Cameroonians were far to long. We were presented with a matching outfit as out gift. Unfortunately I have just managed to delete all my photos off my camera so I have no to show you - grrrrr, very annoyed.
Friday night was our whiteman send off along with Jerry a Peace Corp who flies the day after us. We went out to a local bar had fish then went to the French Cultural centre where there was a band playing. We had Tata Kingue with us (the local pop star) so he was asked to sing and we all had a great time dancing (again no photos lost them all, I am sooooo annoyed!). Helen has kindly given me her photos so here is us having a bogie with Tata Kingue himself.
I am after some advice from any well travelled readers of my blog. One week from now we will have a lot of time to kill in Brussels. Our flight home causes us to land there about 8am and leave about 5pm. We tried to change the flight but will loose our 46 kg luggage allowance down to 20 kg and I am telling you we can not do that! So the result is a forced day in Brussels. First we were none to chuffed about it. We have an overnight flight from Douala so will be tired, we will have heavy hand luggage to carry about but then we thought of beer and chocolate and decided not to fret. So dear readers any advice on what we can do with a day in Brussels to help us absorb and adapt to European life?
There are a few sayings that people here in Cameroon say that
I must remember not to use in England. For example when asking for something in a shop or ordering a drink etc. it is usual to say 'give me so and so'. I think if I go out for a meal in England and say 'give me four cheese pizza' the waiter may be a little put out!
Another thing they say is 'where is my own', this is used if you are with someone buying something or giving something to someone else then this other person wants one. Most the time they do not really expect you to give them one but you sit there trying to find an excuse as to why you do not have one for them.
Now that we are leaving next week everyone wants a bit of us. Almost everyday I get 'what will you leave me?' or 'give me your phone when you leave'. I have about 4 people after one phone. I think I will give it to the one person I know needs a phone but has not asked - our dear friend Didimus. Then my UK phone I will sell to the prison guard and I will be off to the vodaphone shop as soon as I get home to get a new one for myself. People also ask for my clothes or bag or shoes. The best I had was 'give me your camera when you leave, I really need one, I am sure they are cheap you can get a new one as soon as you get back'. I explained I only bought my phone last year and it was mighty expensive and yes I need it so no you cannot have it. It is times like these when I am so happy to be coming home. I will happily donate money to people, let the shop keeper keep the change but I do not like constantly being asked for particular things.
...... Going to collect Helen from the airport!!
Yes Helen my replacement comes today. I am off to the airport to collect her in 5 mins!
It has felt like ages for her coming so I am very excited. I work with Helen in Oxford and when she said she was looking for volunteer work I suggested HINT. I will spend the next week or so handing everything over to her then I know the project will be in good hands.
Many people believe and use traditional medicine in Cameroon. Many are sceptical but give it a go if all else fails or they cannot afford conventional medicine. This is what caused the orphanage to take Achiever to see the Witchdoctor. The diagnosis given was that Achiever has four eyes. This means his spirit has reincarnated whilst it is still alive in another person or animal. This is why he is not growing and so week. They think he is an old man some place else where in the world and when the old guy dies Achiever will become strong. Or the other theory is that he is a snake (but Auntie Grace things this is just because of the trousers he had on that day). During my HIV seminar we have long discussions about traditional medicine. There is a Catholic priest who says he can cure HIV. Many people pay thousands of francs on his treatment. I have been told each one is not negative and cured. I am sceptical it has to be said. However one student of mine did make the observation that here in Cameroon they can not scientifically prove the medicine cures HIV so it will never be recognised by the western world. Meaning it will never be used worldwide. So maybe this priest is healing Cameroonians of HIV one by one but I am sure if he really did have a cure scientists would be at least interested in knowing what he does. It is true many drugs are made from plants, so it is possible a witchdoctor can use plants as a remedy for many ills. Whilst in Kroup National Park we saw Quinine growing if the villagers have Malaria they just chew some bark and get better. However it is the crazy diagnosis they make. Achiever cannot just wait for the old guy to die hoping he will then get better. The boy needs to be fed well to get better. What amazes me are the number of Christians who believe in witchdoctors and black magic. I met a lady at church who was reluctant to tell me her babies due date in case I put a curse on her that day, I would not even know how to go about putting a curse on someone!
I have decided since we go home next week I will stop washing. I really hate doing the hand washing so thought I could start saving it up for a washing machine to do for me. Well I will do the small stuff and Joe's sweaty football kit. So I started thinking about going home with all this washing and the joy of putting it all the in washing machine to take care of it for me. Then I started thinking how my Mum would never let me do that and how she will willingly offer to do all our washing for me. I love my Mum, she is great!
PS, not told my Mum this yet, but I am sure she will not mind!
Well here we are with two weeks left. I have mixed feelings. I am really looking forward to going home and having all those home comforts, living in our own place and seeing all my friends and family. However I am really sad to leave. When we left the UK it was exciting, we did not know where we were coming and what to expect. We knew we would see our friends and family again so goodbyes were not too hard. Now there is little anticipation and excitement, we know what to expect in England. Saying goodbye is hard, we know we may never see most these people again. These people that have been our friends and family for a year, Naomi who we have watched grow and develop since birth. Once we say goodbye that will be it. We would like to come back but do not know if it will be possible. I am sure they would love to visit England but that is not easy. So our final two weeks will be a mixture of emotions, excitement about eating cheese again and the sadness of goodbyes. Helen should be arriving on Tuesday so I will be busy handing over to her for a week or so. Joe will soon finish teaching then he has some loose ends of the website. He then needs to train Elvis so he can continue with the teaching after we are gone. We will miss so much about Cameroon, the experience has had its ups and downs but has been well worth it. We are very grateful to all those who have supported us financially, with emails and comments. We look forward to seeing you all very soon.
20th May was national day here in Cameroon. This means it is a public holiday. We have just had a 5 day weekend (although we kept working as usual). Thursday was Ascension, Friday was declared a day of national mourning for the victims of the plane crash (although because Thursday was a public holiday no-one would have gone to work on Friday as there is no point for one day!) Then Sunday was national day so Monday was a public holiday in-lieu. So all government workers have had a nice long weekend. So National day is like many other public holidays in that there is marching to celebrate. This time the police/ army/ gendarmes/ prison officers march first, followed by schools then associations and political parties. so my group HINT-HED went to march with the associations. We got there early so we could go round talking to people first giving out flyers about HIV and red ribbons. It went well, we were only 10 but made the most of it. One member marched with the prison guards then did a quick change and joined us.
After the event I made a bee line for the beach to join Joe and the football boys for a party on the beach. We had a whole pig on the BBQ and the president got the snout to eat. The pork was delicious and with a beer it was almost perfect. The ants meant it was not perfect. The grass was full of these evil ants who had a vicious bite. You had to pull their nasty little teeth out of you foot to get them off, it hurt.
I then had great fun trying to teach the boys how to float on your back in the sea. Not many of them can swim (there are no public swimming pools, so you can only swim if you came to the beach) so it was not easy. I kept hearing calls of 'madam Joel, teach me how to float like that'. I tried and in most cases did not succeed but it was fun.
A collection of short stories each told by a member of the Joy Luck Club. The Joy Luck Club is a group of four women who have moved from China to America and formed this group. The book begins after one of the members has died suddenly and her daughter has to take her place in the Joy Luck Club. The meetings involve each member telling a story, the book is made up of these separate stories. Two stories from each of the mothers about life as a child in China. Then each of the daughters tell two stories of their life in America in relation to their mother. Some of the stories are pretty crazy but all are lovely. The mothers have very traditional views that their daughters do not share. The book shows a lot about Chinese culture and belief. The book has also been made in to a film so I would like to watch that now.
Last night I went to see the Scissor sisters in concert by accident - you may ask how I accidentally ended up being in the O2 arena going to such an event. Well on Wednesday Becky and I were on an admin day and up pops this email from charitable funds saying they have 2 tickets to the concert first come first served money to Sobel house hospice. We often get these emails but as we are ward based it is always days after the event so as we were there at the time we thought we would give it a try thinking they would have gone already. I phone them up and the tickets are ours - bargain. Only problem Becky was doing a late the next day so many frantic phone calls to other staff and the lovely John swapped - thanks John you are a star. We then figured out how we would get to the arena which is the old millennium dome and Becky said she would drive.
