A quick trip to Bamenda (pt. 1)
We got up a little early today so we could make a quick trip to Bamenda; I needed to pick up my cargo pants and slacks from Titus. This is essentially the last time I can get them. What makes this day a little more interesting is that it’s my day to navigate culture. Akilah has decided to allow me to handle all the details of the day, she’s not intending on assisting one bit – from scheduling to catching taxis. Shouldn’t be too bad since we’re traveling to an Anglophone region.
Just before catching the first taxi, she did give me one hint. Since it’s still early and the agency we’re taking to Bamenda is down the street, she told me how much to suggest to the taxi driver. One taxi pulled up, but I shooed him away; we’re still against getting into a taxi when there are already four people in there. A second taxi came past and we were off for the day.
When we arrived a few minutes later at Savannah we noticed only two people sitting in the bush taxi. Hmm, we needed to see if Mazi Express or Jeannot were any better off. Luckily each of the other two were within a few hundred feet of Savannah. There was absolutely no one at Jeannot and Mazi had a vehicle already full and ready to pull out. We could’ve checked the lists at each of those, but I figured let’s just go back to Savannah, logically, they would be the next to leave.
It’s good that we went back, we weren’t aware that there were already four names on the list. This meant that we were only waiting for about four more folks. This was a seven-passenger van and ten passengers is the normal for this ride. I guess we waited all of thirty minutes before having a full vehicle. During that time, I took a quick photo of the scenery in Bafoussam. I’m just trying to make sure I have enough representative photos of my stay and experiences.
We arrived in Bamenda about an hour or so later. The city is only about 75km from Bafoussam, but the rolling hills, and full loads tend to make the trips a little longer. I’d love to be driving a newer vehicle along these roads, I’m sure it would quench my speed demon thirst.
We got out at the agency office, even though we could’ve been let out earlier, I wanted to walk past Prescraft’s to purchase a book or two, and Frank’s to see if we could discuss a little more business. However, we didn’t realize a Sunday would make everything look so baron; almost everything was closed on Commercial Av. Too bad, I’ll just have to do it another time (if there is one).
We even walked to the junction hoping the Vatican market was open, and they too were closed. Guess if you’re not here before a certain time, or don’t get it done on a Saturday, it won’t happen. I’ve not seen things this closed up on Sunday’s since before Baltimore repealed its “Sunday Blue Laws.”
Oh well, now for the reason we made the trip anyway, it was time to head to Titus’ shop. I flagged a taxi and gave our destination – Junction Finance – and we were there within five minutes. Bamenda appears to be a fairly large city, but it’s quick to travel around; guess that’s what paved roads do to a city (though some could use a pothole crew).
Titus wasn’t in when we arrived, so one of his daughters’s had to run to get him. We found out later that he has six children (four girls and two boys) with a seventh on the way. God willing, he would like have an eighth. I’m sure with the constant flow of PCVs and their guests purchasing clothes, he is able to provide a comfortable setting for his family.
When he did arrive we talked a little (as is the Cameroonian custom), specifically about the “beautification project” that seems to be going on in all of the provinces. When we first arrived to Bamenda (some time ago), Titus had a beautiful front area that made it appear as if you were going into a gardener’s home. However, because of this so-called project, he was forced to tear it down.
Furthermore, not only did they take away something that added beauty to the home, they now want everyone to remove what they call “face caps” (we would call them make-shift awnings) from their homes. For the life of me, I can’t understand what’s going on with this effort. They want everything to look cleaner, but for the most part, they’re removing the very structures or items that add “flavor” to the scenery. Yeah some of the shacks should be torn down, but not homes that people have taken years to aesthetically nurture.
Anyway, we went inside to take a look at my pants, and they were “on the one!” The cargo pants fell as low as I like them to, and the fit was “hot!” Just to feel the moment, I tried on all four pairs of the pants. I just wanted to look in a full-length mirror and get a quick glimpse at them all. I didn’t try on the other two slacks, because I’d already taken up enough time. Needless to say, I was very pleased with the pants; extremely even.
While I was reveling in the glow of my newly tailored look, Akilah was trying on her collared shirt she had made. From what I could tell, she was as pleased as I, with her new item. Now I know when I get back to the states, I’ll be sending catalogs and fabric to have things made. I’m also gonna see how the tailor in Foumban can do with these items. Don’t want Akilah to have to travel back and forth so often, unless she really needs to. Besides, what would it hurt to have two tailors’ who can do the work for me?
Now pleased, we were headed up the road to Handycraft for lunch and to take a look around the “co-op” shop. It was a little weird at this moment, because Titus was accompanying us. Before leaving his home we told him we wouldn’t be there long, and he even commented that if we were intending on being there a while, he would accompany us. So Akilah and I thought it was understood that he wasn’t going.
However, somewhere along the line, he decided to accompany us, and brought his youngest son along. It was a really weird feeling, because the two of us are in the restaurant trying to figure out how to let him know (in a polite way) that he didn’t have to stay, but we didn’t. This protocol thing really screws things up, because you don’t want to offend anyone. Akilah was even recounting the conversation to make sure we didn’t say anything inviting; we didn’t.
After about an hour and a beer (for him) later he and his son finally left. Guess it was good since our food had just arrived, and they’d not ordered anything. Maybe it’s very American, but I don’t like eating in front of children, or anyone in my party, when they’re not partaking of a meal; it feels really awkward. Akilah’s real concern was whether he was there to ask for something.
Well, she was partially right. He asked if I would assist him in finding a company, in the states, that can make clothing labels for him. The one’s he uses now were donated by a former PCVs mother, and he doesn’t know how to reorder them. He did offer to reimburse me for them if I were able to find them.
The funny thing is that after my first visit, I’d already decided I would purchase them for him as a gift. Ironically, I do know of one company where I can order them at a pretty reasonable price. But now it doesn’t feel the same. I wasn’t feeling to bad about it all, but Akilah was kind of irritated since she knew that in this country, invitations are very specific; and if you don’t get it, you don’t attend.