Everyday Life

Everything that is so easy back home is a major effort here. For example, I needed to buy some paper for my printer and for general uses. I didn’t bring any because it weighs too much. Back home, you can find printer paper at any Office Depot or even at Publix. Here, items are sold at individual “stores” which are no more than shacks. One will sell hardware, another plastic items and some seem to carry the exact same small items. Produce is sold by vendors along the sidewalks or roadsides.

So back to my search for paper. As I walked down the street, there seemed to be a section where the shops specialized in books, newspapers, and, yes, reams of paper. That took care of one thing on my list.

Food is another interesting quest. Food is sold in much the same way. I buy bread in a bakery (makes sense) but other items can be found in different shops. For example, I found butter and oatmeal in one shop only. I found olive oil in the bakery. So I have to remember where I found things for the future. Like I said, everyday chores take much more effort here.

Life in Dschang

I arrived in Dschang on Thursday October 5, four days after arriving in Cameroon. I spent two days in Yaounde being escorted around by embassy staff. I got to meet the ambassador and see the work they are doing there. They arranged to drive me to Dschang and helped me to buy a cell phone and a voltage regulator (a fancy surge suppressor and a very necessary item, as I will describe below). On Friday, I looked at a few housing options. The houses I looked at are considered high-end but they are pretty basic from our standards. I finally settled on a chalet at a resort called the Centre Climatique. The resort was built by the Germans in the 1940s and has beautiful grounds.

The main advantage of this place is that it has reliable water and electricity. The power can be shut off at any time for a few minutes or up to a few days. The same is true for the water. Even the university is not immune. The resort has a generator and its own water. So if the power goes out, the generator kicks on. The water, however, is somewhat more variable.

I have two bedrooms and two baths plus a small kitchen and living room (furnished). I even have a fireplace, which I haven’t used yet. I have a basic kitchen with a sink with a counter, a two-burner propane stove, and I will get a small frig by the end of the week. That’s all – no shelves or cabinets. My rent includes everything – laundry, cleaning, a nightwatchman (who often sits on my porch!), and best of all, access to a car and driver. I have been warned by everyone not to take the taxis. Here the taxis are motorcycles and they are dangerous. So having access to a car was the clincher for me. All this for about $250 per month. It is also within an easy walk to campus. But it is still a bit like camping in a rustic cabin. And this is the luxurious option!

I have located the main “department store” where I can buy some basic food and household items. Although this place is furnished, none of the household things like pans and dishes are included. I have some of my camping things which will do for now. I will get some the things I need soon.