We got to see some new sides of Cameroon and Yaounde today. Here’s my list of 5 things I did today:

1. This morning the second half of our French classes was spent at a local market. We had a few assignments to complete while there including purchasing something for 200 CFA Francs that had been haggled for. We went to a relatively small market near the SIT office. It was probably about two blocks long and vendors lined the street on both sides selling all manner of vegetables, fruit, fresh meat, fish, flour, other food products, clothes, shoes, jewelry, school supplies and much more. My French group each bought a pair of earrings. 
2. Our non-French class today went over the general basics and guidelines for interviewing during research projects. We were also asked to create pairs and come up with a topic for our first research project which we will do together in steps over the next 9 weeks. 
3. For lunch today I just went to the super market with some other students and got some food to take back to the office to eat. It had rained a little before we left but on the way back it started raining harder. Luckily my friend Cora and I made it back to the office before the rain really picked up. The others, who were behind us, just waited for the heavy rain to pass before leaving Dovv, the supermarket. It has been raining a lot the past few days, really hitting home that it is indeed the rainy season. It usually mists or sprinkles for much of the day and then pours for a few minutes at a time. If you ask anyone when the rainy season begins and ends they’ll say that they can tell you its usual duration but that global climate change has really skewed the seasons recently.
4. Because we didn’t have classes scheduled for this afternoon we were going to take a bus tour of the city. However, today was a BIG soccer match between Cameroon and the Ivory Coast so the group decided to attend that instead. We purchased the expensive tickets (an equivalent of $10) just a few hours before the game began. To say that it was a good game would be an understatement. Cameroon won 4-1 which was unexpected. The Ivory Coast had more shots on goal and for the most part seemed to have more control of the game. Cameroon’s goalie, who apparently is not their first string goalie did very well. It was a little intimidating getting into the game having to push through crowds, as is the case with any big sporting event, but once we were in there was much more space and plenty of room to celebrate when Cameroon scored! I wish I knew more about the team and players, but all the same, it was an amazing experience! My host family was very jealous when I got home. 
5. I returned home after the game and went straight to homework. The power went off just as my computer died around 6:00pm so I was forced to take a break from my reading. After the power came back on, my break continued for a little bit when my host mom turned on an Indian soap opera dubbed in French. Talk about a meshing of my two study abroad experiences!

On the way to the soccer game as we approached the stadium.

On the way to the game!

The field

Allez Cameroun. Serge, the program coordinator, ready for the game!

As we were walking back home after the game the team's bus passed with a police escort. It was followed by many fans on motorcycles!