School Days continued
I’ve downloaded a photo of Linden at school. There are 56 student in the class! Linden is sitting next to Delphine, who has become a pal, and two rows behind is Fofou, her other friend. Guy and Vastis are also in the first row and are very friendly; in fact everyone is friendly! While we waited for the teacher (Madame Michelle) the other day, I taught them “Take me out to the ballgame,” a song that got them going! Some of them are up to 15 years old, since they may have started school late or missed some years. The enrolment fee is about $5, which can be a lot for parents with several children, especially. The classroom gives onto the courtyard, which is why goats can stroll on in. There is a blackboard and teacher’s desk at the front. The benches are typical. The floor is cement, but as you can see, everything is rather orange from the dirt. There’s no getting around it, there is orange/brown dirt everywhere. Our feet are permanently colored, for example, although we wear socks and shoes always (cause of chiggers and worms).
Things are progressing well here. I should start teaching in a week but don’t know my schedule yet. I finished The Poisonwood Bible, a fabulous book to read anywhere, especially in French Africa. I’m rereading Their Eyes Were Watching God since I will most likely be teaching it. We almost had a swarm of termites again last night, but not many showed up. Rainy season is coming to an end. Geraldine and Elvis are very well. The call me “Mum” and G. calls Elvis “Elvis-co.” We call the Land Rover the “Elvis-mobile.” Seydou, one of the guardians at the house, went away for two days for Ramadan since he is Muslim. Mostly there are Christians or traditionalists here, but many Muslims in the north of Cameroon.
We’ve learned quite a bit from Geraldine and Elvis lately. Geraldine, although she is Christian (Jehovah’sWitness) is afraid of the witches in this village. She says it is a wicked village! She has an owl that shows up at night; owls are witch animals here. Very interesting!
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