24.12.10

African Autumn

It's that time here in Cameroon where the leaves start changing color, although it's not exactly the same as Fall at home.  Here the leaves change color because it is now dry season, meaning that the leaves don't actually change color as much as they are coated with a thin layer of red/brown dust.  Most of the roads aren't paved here, so once the rain stops the motorcycles and cars that drive by kick up all kinds of dirt.  You have to walk around with a handkerchief to cover your face unless you want a lung full of dust.  My nasal passages are very dry and painful right now, which is think is related. 

There are positives of dry season, however:
(1) Traveling is easier because the roads are not giant swimming pools of mud for the van to get stuck in.  Instead they are full of giant craters because no one thinks to fix the roads until rainy season comes back and it's too late.
(2) It's cooler now, especially during the night and in the mornings.  It's still much hotter than at home, but I'll take what I can get. 
(3) Also, I appear tan although really I'm just dirty.

Exhibit A

Also, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

22.12.10

Peace Corps Graduation

These photos are long overdue.  They are from the swearing in ceremony that happened December 1, 2010 where 48 trainees officially became Peace Corps Volunteers.  The next day we left the protective bubble of training to live on our own all over the country.


A bunch of santés with our instructor, Theo

Calling out the new health volunteers

Country Director Lahoma, from Durham, NC and also a UNC-CH graduate

Rachel and I with our two host families and the American Ambassador

Tina doesn't want to leave for the Extreme North

Adios, amigos.  See you at IST in March.