Public Restrooms

Yet another experience with "public restrooms" that I just have to share with all of you, and the whole thing made me decide it's time to post my collection of restroom pictures!

We were at the women's day celebrations today up in Bongo Square.  As the lady in charge was announcing "what today's schedule will look like" she inserted a little plug for the newest development in Bongo Square.  Buea is proud to present a new public restroom!!  As she announced the new addition she proudly stated that, "we are growing!  Now you will not need to wonder, 'where will I ease myself?'" 

Later on in the day I needed to blow my nose because this cold is still hanging around, Mary suggested I check out the new public restrooms.  I was sure there would be no toilet paper there but I decided to check it out anyway.  When I reached the restrooms I was ushered in and found what I was expecting, no toilet paper, I didn't need to use the restroom, only wanted to blow my nose and there was no toilet paper; but the lady who had ushered me in was standing right outside.  I felt weird to just go in and right back out, so I just stood there long enough to have used the toilet so that it would seem less awkward.  I tried the sink on my way out just because, but of course there was no water.   As soon as I left the restroom the usher silently but purposefully pointed at the sign I had completely missed on the way in.  It was an itemized list of which facility you used inside the facility and the charge for each!  I was dumbfounded!  I hadn't actually used any of the facilities!! I only was looking for toilet paper!  but how was I going to explain that one, especially after standing in there long enough to make it look like I had... so I gave her a bill and as she was looking for my change I noticed wads of toilet paper laying on her table... I had to pay for a facility I didn't even use and had been jipped of my toilet paper!  In theory, toilet paper does you no good after you've already been in the bathroom, but as she handed me my changed I seized a wad and left.  Public restrooms, always an adventure, although I didn't get a shot of the tolled bathroom, here's a collection of a few shots I've gotten over the last few months, there's so many more I don't have proof of though.

 This is a toilet in the Brussels airport.  I was intrigued by the thought that this was the first non-American toilet I had ever seen, so, for some strange reason, I took a picture.  Little did I know, back in September that this European toilet would be the beginning of a rather interesting collection of foreign restroom facility photographs.

 This lovely model is a Mount Cameroon Hut 1 style.

 This one is very similar to the last, however, this Hut 2 model sports an awesome cobweb collection in place of the trendy mold in the last.

 This is a fancy upgrade from the traditional hole.  Same concept as the Mount Cameroon hut style, only a more modern approach if you will.

 a rather educational sign found in a bathroom in the nation's capital (Yaounde), do not stand and squat on the seat, simply sit.  

 Don't worry, it's just wear and tear on the seat... and lid, nothing else.

 This style is one of my favorites, helps you know where to position your feet!

 This restroom was erected with the help of one of our own, Spencer Way helped our friend Hache build this onto his family's home in Koza.

...and the last facility I have captured on film is another lovely floor model, this one is located at the General Hospital here in Buea.


A funny little additional story...  We've noticed that most anywhere along the road seems to be fare game for "public restrooms" around here but have also noticed that it seems to only be the men's restrooms, seldom if ever do you notice the ladies.  Well, the other day we witnessed two "women's restrooms" along the road right in a row as we were driving by.  Just like you might see a man standing outside the little girls' room in a mall or restaurant, waitin' on a woman, there was a guy standing right behind her, just waiting to continue on their way.  I'm not totally apposed to the style, only I feel it's an "out in the field with NOBODY around" type of style... I know this post might seem like something kinda bold and should be a more private topic, but there's nothing private about easing yourself around here.

Women's Day

 Happy International Women's Day!

You may not have realized that today was International Women's Day but here in Cameroon they know how to celebrate!  The festivities today were pretty impressive.  Mary and I helped at a little table with another health outreach organization and took free blood pressures for the ladies today.  It was pretty exciting.

 One of the little entertainments, showing the hard work of ladies.

^{Proverbs 31:10-31
A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11} Her husband has full confidence in her 

   and lacks nothing of value. 

¹² She brings him good, not harm, 

   all the days of her life. 

¹³ She selects wool and flax 

   and works with eager hands. 

¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships, 

   bringing her food from afar. 

¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night; 

   she provides food for her family 

   and portions for her female servants. 

¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it; 

   out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 

¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously; 

   her arms are strong for her tasks. 

¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable, 

   and her lamp does not go out at night. 

¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff 

   and grasps the spindle with her fingers. 

²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor 

   and extends her hands to the needy. 

²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household; 

   for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 

²² She makes coverings for her bed; 

   she is clothed in fine linen and purple. 

²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate, 

   where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 

²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them, 

   and supplies the merchants with sashes. 

²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity; 

   she can laugh at the days to come. 

²⁶ She speaks with wisdom, 

   and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 

²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household 

   and does not eat the bread of idleness. 

²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed; 

   her husband also, and he praises her: 

²⁹ “Many women do noble things, 

   but you surpass them all.” 

³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; 

   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. 

North Trip Part Eight ~ P.S! Mozogo

The other day some memories from our trip to the north were floating around in my head when I realized I hadn't posted about them!!  I had ever intention of doing a post on our trip to Mozogo but somewhere in organizing the other 7 posts it totally slipped my mind!! So here's a little P.S. post from our trip north.

One morning we pulled ourselves out of bed before the crack of dawn, hopped on some mottos, and headed to nearby Mozogo where it was said we'd be able to see some baboons!  I didn't know it could get so cold in Cameroon!!! That 5:30am motto ride was the most freezing experience I've had since a North Dakota winter!! It took me until long after sunrise to finally feel warmth in my body again!  The reason we went so early is because there was a very specific time for seeing baboons in the forest.  However, despite our sleep sacrifice and freezing transportation... we had mechanical difficulties with the mottos, didn't reach the forest on time, and ended up unsuccessful in our mission :(  it was dissapointing, but it was none-the-less a fun day!  These two little boys are natives of the area and know the baboons well, they took us through the forest trying to help us spot some, but to no avail.

We knew we were at least in the right place because there were little (and big) baboon hand and footprints for proof!

Some wide open space, right beside the forest.

This is just the branches of a HUGE dead tree that was tipped over.

The baboon forest is right beside some onion fields and the baboons apparen'tly have a strong appreciation for onions... so these little shelters are for the onion guards to sleep in at night, kinda reminds me of trying to keep the raccoons out of the corn field!

At the end of the day, after seeing no baboons, Mary and I thought it'd make the rest feel better to see some "monkeys" trying to steal some onions!

Church

Our church and church family here in Buea has been a huge blessing to Mary and I.  Today it was a great joy to take Cheryl and Heidi to experience our wonderful church.  I did an object lesson illustration for the kids' Sabbath School, the children's story was great, and mum Rugina had an excellent sermon today.  The whole service today was done by the women in honor of women's week and women's day which is this coming Thursday.

Our new African dresses!

Mary getting her hair plated after church :)

These twins are just the cutest!  Today's favorite game was sit on a lap, throw yourself back, and then giggle uncontrollably when you get tickled!!  Then squirm into a sitting position crumple into a hug, then throw yourself back again...

Cheryl and Heidi were even lucky enough to get in on a potluck!! Mmmmm! (our contribution was one of the rice dishes.... I guess we pass as Cameroonian cooks, because our big pot was cleaned out!).

The Erickson girls!

Just too adorable!

I just LOVE these expressions!!?  Can you come up with a caption for this picture?

Mauye enjoying and concentrating on a serious thumb war!

Erickson Visit

 On Monday night Mary's mother and sister flew into Douala for a visit to see our little home in Africa!  Another volunteer came in on the same flight so we knew there would be limited room in the vehicle on the way back.  I wanted to be there to welcome our visitors at the airport so Sarah and I went along intending to take public transport back... it was late and the taxi drivers at the air port were all trying for outrageous prices, litterally 10X more than a fair price, we held our ground and waited.  We only needed to get from the airport to a place in town where cars go to Buea.  When one taxi that we were going to take filled up the driver motioned for us to come, I told him that it was too full and we wouldn't fit (taxis are always too full, but there were already 7 people in the tiny little car).  They insisted we come and I joked with them, telling them in French that I was fat and we were too big to squeeze in... then they opened up the back hatch and said c'mon!  Jump in!  Sarah and I looked at each other and said "why not!?" so we hopped in the trunk and got our ride for the original price we wanted!  They took us from the air port to the place to find a car to Buea and after "discussing" with about 10 guys that wanted us to ride in their taxi we got a ride home.  The total trip for both of us from the air port to Buea cost less than the airport taxis wanted to take one person into town!

This picture was taken in our trunk ride, it's not a very good picture, but it's a crazy amazing memory!  It was pretty incredible to witness African driving, in the dark, from the back of a car, with cars and mottos on your tail and shining their lights very brightly!  We must have been quite the sight because we sure seemed to entertain all the drivers that passed us, even had about 15 mottos following us, laughing, taking pictures, and videoing the event.  At first I thought the pictures and video was kinda weird, but then I thought of all the things and people I take pictures of, and decided it was ok!

Tuesday was Heidi's 30th birthday!  A pretty big day and very exciting to be able to celebrate it here in Africa, so we had some extra curricular activities during my tutoring and the boys helped me make a banner! :)

A box of goodies from home!

Heidi's Birthday celebration crowd :)

Fabric shopping!

Making birthday puff puff! 

one of the sweet fabric shop ladies up in Buea Town today taught us how to tie a headdress and then let us have them! :)  It's been great fun having Heidi and Cheryl here and we have much more fun to come!

Tole Village 2nd Visit

We went back to Tole on Friday to deliver medications and ointments to the kids we saw last week... However, I'd like to think we delivered more than just their meds, I think we delivered some smiles as well!

 Twins!  They are so precious!

 Big sister.

I was saying and acting out something like this...

"Use this soap and scrub you skin, clean your whole body very well!"

February Harvest

The radishes are in!  It was pretty exciting to pick the radishes from the garden tonight for supper, but I must admit, there's a few things in the garden that are looking kinda sad these days.  The rainy season is coming back which makes it nice to carry less water by hand, but I think the African sun has been a little much for my little ND seeds to bear.  While I think some will still produce and all is not lost, I have 3 foot corn trying to tassel and put on cobs!