September 3rd: Getting adjusted (?)

September 3rd

Getting adjusted (?)

Coworkers
I have met almost all of the VSO staff today. VSO hires both Cameroonian staff and staff from outside the country. They have been great at helping us get adjusted.

Cell phone
I bought a cell phone today for about 50$ CAN. I had to negotiate with a street vendor to get that price. Here, most prices are negotiated.
If you want to call me, you should buy an international calling card at a corner store. Make sure Cameroon is on it. I bet you can buy it at different increments (5$, 10$ or 20$). I am not sure how many minutes that will give you.
Here is what you have to dial (you can do this from a home phone too, but it might be expensive):
1. Dial 0 11 (to make an international call)
2. Dial 237 (that is the country code for Cameroon)
3. Dial 77 40 39 27 (that is my cell phone number for now)

In summary, dial the following number: 0 11 237 77 40 39 27.

By the way, if you call me, the call is free for me!
I think I can also do text messages. Those are cheap for me, and I assume they are just as cheap for you.

Money
One Canadian dollar equals roughly 500 CFA (the current unit here in Cameroon).
This means that I paid 25 000 CFA for my cell phone (50$CAN), 100 CFA for my bread this morning (0,20$CAN), etc.
VSO has given us some money for meals and communications.

Taxi
Getting a taxi in Yaounde is very different that in North America. Basically, you stand on the side of the street and shout out your destination to taxis passing by. If he is heading that way, he will pick you up. Taxis pick up several different people on their trips. We took taxis a few times, and had to shout from the side of the street. It was pretty cool.

Poverty
Even though I knew what I was getting into because of research and training, I didn’t expect the capital city of Cameroon to be this poor. I thought I mostly see this in my village in the North. Unfortunately, a lot of people here live on very little. The disparity between the handful of huge government buildings and the homes, shacks and stores down the street is difficult to stomach. I included some pictures, but they do not explain the sheer amount of people living like this. It is incredible. I do not have many comments to make about it as of yet. I am really trying to absorb my surroundings for the moment.

Thank you
Thanks to those who helped me fundraise almost 500$ at my going away party. It was great to see you all, and we managed to collect funds that will help in my placement. Thank you to all of those who sent good wishes by email and through Facebook. I appreciate it! Also, for those who asked about online donations, I should be able to up an online function on the VSO website soon. Thank you in advance!

A bientôt, JP