In other news, I have less than 4 weeks in Cameroon. I have been enjoying the fact that my brother Mira is getting married soon because people have been pouring in from the village to greet the family and spend time with Mira. A few nights ago my brothers had over a big group of their childhood friends and cousins and five guys, including my brother Charles, sang a few songs. Ashley, fellow SIT kid, and I were blown away by their harmonizing! Their singing was followed by a karaoke session with Mira’s music where I sang along (and poorly I might add) to Cameroonian and American music.

So last week was Thanksgiving. I hadn’t expected much, being in Cameroon for an American holiday, but as usual my homestay family out did themselves. One of my sisters, Anne, had a vague conception of what Thanksgiving entailed. All I told anyone was that you eat turkey and everyone says what they are grateful for. So Anne bought a few chickens, to substitute turkey and then went to a European grocery store where she purchased hot dogs, ketchup and coke. It was hysterical, and being the worst vegetarian known to man, I consumed enough hot dogs and chicken to feel Thanksgiving food coma. It was a great night. I will never forget hearing all of my siblings say what they were thankful for. Everyone said something related to the family, it was just like home. It was one of those moments when you realize that people everywhere are the same.

As my trip nears the end, and I say goodbye to most of the other SIT girls next week, everything feels bittersweet. I am torn between wanting to see everyone back home and wanting to stay and not miss out on my life in Cameroon. I realized last night that I hate the idea of missing out on watching Mamaita, my 3 year old niece, grow up. Or being there when Dora, Anne, Titou and Elizabeth get married. I like watching the construction on my parents house and I don’t want to miss out on seeing what it looks like when it’s all finished. It will feel strange not to wake up to the chanting coming from the mosque in Tschinga. I like starting my days by jogging with Jaime up Mount Febe. I even started enjoying cold showers, well sometimes. I will miss getting drinks at the Melting Pot and the adventure of meeting new friends. There are so many things that I love about this place. I wish more people would take the time to explore Africa with open eyes.

The culture is changing because of globalization and westernization. I am scared that one day Cameroonians will only speak French and English and that the 280 ethnic languages will disappear. I can already see traditional religions disappearing thanks to the hard work of Muslim and Christian missionaries, no offense, but I do not understand or respect people’s desire to force their religion down the throats of the rest of the world. Individualism is replacing people’s sense of community, which most people identify as necessary for development. But I just see as converting the world to the selfish every man for himself mentality of the west. People give a shit about each other here. You share what you have. You take in your neighbor’s kid; no questions asked if you have the means to. You pay for your sister’s child’s education if you have the means and she doesn’t. You put some of the bread you just bought for the family in the beggars bowl if there is enough to go around. Why does everyone want to destroy such a beautiful mentality?

written by  peep on December 1, 2008 from Yaounde, Cameroon
from the travel blog: Cameroon
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I totally agree with the last part of your blog. (Mainly because I'm not there to agree with the beginning) :) So many people view "westernization" as a positive for every community and don't recognize the effects and negative consequences that are brought along with it. Even in the US, places are becoming more urbanized (is that a word?) and the community aspect of "small towns" are being lost to the me and mine mentality of cities. I can only help to make connections back to NOVA since I don't have the perspective of African communities to compare to. :)

Enjoy the wedding. I hope you bring back pictures or have someone send you pictures. I miss you and we'll see you soon!

P.S. - I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving dinner. :) It really does warm my heart to know how much they love you there and how welcomed you have been into the family.

written by  Crystal Gulino on December 5, 2008

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