Hey all!
So after waiting a half hour for the internet to work, I spent 40 minutes typing a lovely update for you all and it didn’t even save! So here is take 2!
Tuesday we arrived at the “Douala International Airport” aka the smallest airport ever! There were crowds of lively natives excited to see “white man”. We spent the night in Douala and woke up early to head to Kumba where our host families and new homes awaited.
We packed into our bus and started our 3 hour journey. I imagine the biggest pothole you have ever seen, now multiply that by 10 and that is a fraction of how bad the roads here are. Needless to say the journey was adventurous. We arrived yesterday afternoon and were greeted by our families and a delicious meal of rice, chicken, fishin, plantains ( which I now love) and more! They also serve this Jino juice which is delicious.
As I am writing this I am being hit on by the guy that runs the café…it’s pretty entertaining. Ignore that part Dad!
I am paired with Laura, another UD junior and we live with the Anjicums. The mom insists that we call her Mommy and the dad, a 300 lb yet cuddly man, Laura and I like to call Big Papa. They have 3 sons, a daughter, a goddaughter, and a cousin that all live with them. They filled our plates and then insisted we eat more! They are so hospitable here!
Laura and I share a bed and have our own bathroom too! The water is cold, but that’s ok when its 95 out! We woke up this morning and were served sardines. I ate them like a champ, but found out later that my stomach was not so much a fan! Other than that, the food has gone over quite well….cross your fingers, because I sure am!
Today- Saturday we are traveling to cities around Kumba. Today we went to an oil refinery and a local college. Seeing this and the lives that people here live makes me so thankful for all that I have. Despite the fact that people here don’t have much material goods, they have the biggest hearts of any people I have ever met. I am learning so much already. It’s a weird feeling being stared at to here “white man” shouted all the time. But its eye opening to say the least.
Sometime within the next few days we will be hiking Mount Cameroon, which we are told no one has ever made it to the top…so we are excited to take a stab at it! I don’t know what each day brings, besides a new adventure. I love it! Thanks for your prayers and thoughts. I miss you all, especially mom dad, and Nicole (ps thanks for updating!). I will update as soon as I can!
Love,
~Shannon~
So after waiting a half hour for the internet to work, I spent 40 minutes typing a lovely update for you all and it didn’t even save! So here is take 2!
Tuesday we arrived at the “Douala International Airport” aka the smallest airport ever! There were crowds of lively natives excited to see “white man”. We spent the night in Douala and woke up early to head to Kumba where our host families and new homes awaited.
We packed into our bus and started our 3 hour journey. I imagine the biggest pothole you have ever seen, now multiply that by 10 and that is a fraction of how bad the roads here are. Needless to say the journey was adventurous. We arrived yesterday afternoon and were greeted by our families and a delicious meal of rice, chicken, fishin, plantains ( which I now love) and more! They also serve this Jino juice which is delicious.
As I am writing this I am being hit on by the guy that runs the café…it’s pretty entertaining. Ignore that part Dad!
I am paired with Laura, another UD junior and we live with the Anjicums. The mom insists that we call her Mommy and the dad, a 300 lb yet cuddly man, Laura and I like to call Big Papa. They have 3 sons, a daughter, a goddaughter, and a cousin that all live with them. They filled our plates and then insisted we eat more! They are so hospitable here!
Laura and I share a bed and have our own bathroom too! The water is cold, but that’s ok when its 95 out! We woke up this morning and were served sardines. I ate them like a champ, but found out later that my stomach was not so much a fan! Other than that, the food has gone over quite well….cross your fingers, because I sure am!
Today- Saturday we are traveling to cities around Kumba. Today we went to an oil refinery and a local college. Seeing this and the lives that people here live makes me so thankful for all that I have. Despite the fact that people here don’t have much material goods, they have the biggest hearts of any people I have ever met. I am learning so much already. It’s a weird feeling being stared at to here “white man” shouted all the time. But its eye opening to say the least.
Sometime within the next few days we will be hiking Mount Cameroon, which we are told no one has ever made it to the top…so we are excited to take a stab at it! I don’t know what each day brings, besides a new adventure. I love it! Thanks for your prayers and thoughts. I miss you all, especially mom dad, and Nicole (ps thanks for updating!). I will update as soon as I can!
Love,
~Shannon~
10 comments:
hey ;) its kayla! lol but i was going to text you and tell you to have a good trip but i forgot lol but i hope you have a good trip & when you get back you have to tell me about it! i miss you shannnonn!! & love youu lol
Hi friend! Glad to hear you are having fun and trying new things (and foods). Not surprised you like the plaintains since they are kinda like bananas. Also not surprised you didn't like the sardines (ick!). Have fun hiking up that mountain - hope you make it to the top! We miss you here, but it sounds like this is a great experience so I'm glad that you are there. P.S. I know we are used to being the pasty white kids here, but I have a feeling where you are it is taken to a whole new level. Love ya and hope to read more of your adventures soon!!
That sounds awesome :) it is amazing and takes a trip like that to value all we have here ... your mom was so happy when she saw your update. she let us all know that there was a new entry :) We miss you and are glad you are having fun!! see you soon!!
i love reading about your adventures... especially when im supposed to be working. i try to close my eyes and imagine that i am in africa... but for some reason it's not really working out too well. it could be the blaring techno music in the background?
good luck with that mountain... i bet living in mountainous westerville has prepared you for it and you will def. make it to the top... show those africans who's boss.
miss you like crazy.
-anna
so glad to hear you made it safely... keep your tummy happy and enjoy your time there! can't wait to hear the updates! :)
Hi babe,
It was great to read about your adventures. Your new family like sounds they will keep you entertained. The mountain climbing and touring make me jealous, but not the sardines! Miss you and are keeping you in my prayers. Love, Aunt Jude
hey shannon! i hear you need to look out for those cafe owners.
Glad to hear you are enjoying yourself, though i couldn't deal with sardines, that's pretty bad ass.
I'll stop in and visit your mom at the bank and I'm going to Mid Ohio in a couple weeks to volunteer with the other interns at Chase, so I'll make sure they're holding up alright;)
Good luck to you, have fun, and keep writing!
You know someone named Kayla Little and Kayla Diddle. That's really cool. How come you never told me that before?
PS. Do you think you're close enough to learn some Chinese while you're there? No? I didn't think so but I wanted to ask. Nora's working with a little Chinese girl so I told her she should practice.
Really this was just another comment to say I love you filled with fluff and the incoherent rambling worth 0 points that you've come to love. Miss you! I'll be dreaming of you in church tomorrow ;-)
Glad you got there safely! Sounds like you've got the right attitude about it all and have started the trip off well! :) I'm so excited to continue reading your updates. Keep enjoying that African hospitality- it won't go away anytime soon. :)
I just like the fact that you finished the sardines like a champ. You make me proud. Two scoops of ice cream from the galley!
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