Nothing But Picture

I promise to post something about my past two weeks in Bamenda and Batoufam but for now, here's a selection of pictures. 

Monica loves avocados. When you're driving on the national roads you come across many police stops and check stations. At each of these stations there's usually a dozen or so people selling food. We bought some avocados on our way to Bamenda and used a pocket knife to share it. 

Approaching Bamenda.

Marianna on the way from Bamenda to Batoufam.

Part of my walk to school each morning in Batoufam. It was beautiful but there were some very steep parts of the hill. We had classes at the chief's compound/palace which is traditionally always at the lowest point of the village to make it easy for people in need to help to get to him.

Cora looks out the window on our weekend trip to Foumban.

The goat that lives in the kitchen.

Mama cooks dinner in the kitchen. It usually took several hours to make a meal.

The living room where we did homework each night.

Alex helps Flo with his math homework.

The weekly market is a huge deal in Batoufam. Everyone attends and people start arriving at 4am and leave after 9pm. Because it was market day, we didn't have any classes. My mom brought me around with her. I was introduced to what felt like the whole extended family throughout the day.

The entrance to the "cheferie"

Sonya (foreground) and Manelle do homework.

Moecha is too young to have homework but she sat with us anyway. Someone would write a word on her chalkboard and she would try to copy it even though she can't read.

Mama in the kitchen listening to something someone in the next room is saying.

The chief's dignitaries gave us a good-bye party. My host dad and I accidentally matched.

The group with out host parents.

Mary (one of my host sisters) and I take selfies.

Joun loves food. Here he's got way to many prunes for him to carry.

Flo and Joun eat fresh guava from family's trees.

My host dad the day I left, dressed to attend a funeral the next village over.

The palace.

Nathan, Christiane's son, and his toy car fashioned out of a water bottle.