The wanderer

Originally when we planned to come to Bafoussam this weekend, we had a list of “thing’s to do” and when we would do them. For some reason it seemed like we kind of wandered through the day. Not necessarily aimlessly, but just kind of existing for the sake of making it to the end of the day.

It all started because we wanted cheese, so we began with a trip to the supermarket. In Bafoussam there’s a pretty good market next to the Laking fabric store. By the time we finally arrived there either it had all been sold or they’d been out for a while. We did take a little look around just to see if there might have been any snacks we could take with us. Didn’t find much, but just for general purpose, I picked up two new types of cookies.

After leaving there we decided to head up to the cyber café now and get a little work done. Good idea, but it was very bad timing. We arrived at the café and it was jammed pack with customers. Gees. I was interested in using my laptop since I usually carry it with me, but I didn’t see Pat or anyone else I knew so Akilah and I decided to take a walk to one of the other spots in the area.

Again, another good thought, but the other café we made it to had only two computers and CPUs operating at about 33 MHz. Ha! We actually decided to wait for a moment until the young lady could get a connection. After waiting about five to ten minutes we realized she hadn’t attempted a connection. Turns out she was waiting for the gentleman in the cabine to complete his call. Hmmm, an internet spot with one phone line?

We realized we should probably just grab something to drink and allow some time to pass before going back to Cybercafe Premier. We stopped past Oasis Restaurant to. When we entered the first thing I noticed was Enemy of the State on the television. Initially I was syked, but it’s a little different to hear a Will Smith character, speaking french, with a european voice.

Nonetheless, we sat had a d’Jino and Fanta and watched the remainder of the movie. It was really funny actually. If you don’t pay attention to the lip movements of Will Smith and Gene Hackman, you don’t realize it’s not actually them speaking. Better yet, it’s like the 70s exploitation films that centered around martial arts.

After the movie, we headed back to the cyber café only to find there was still a line. Instead of leaving again, we decided to wait. It took about twenty minutes before a system was free for me to use. This must’ve been my day, I was actually able to complete each of my intended tasks; and without a hitch. Surely someone knew I needed a smile today.

Now it was time to head back to the Bafferie II and relax before dinner; a little reading and typing and then it was time to head back in town. We intended on having dinner at the Talotel, since Akilah wanted to have the same meal I had earlier this week; that sauce was really the best.

There was a different waiter on duty today, but we figured he would be able to “hook us up” as well as the gentleman earlier this week. Nothing doing. By the time he comprehended we were vegetarian and looking for a specific dish, as opposed to purchasing the buffet, we knew it was an uphill battle.

He made an attempt though. He went into the kitchen, and we heard quite a bit of loud talking. Akilah thought he might have been arguing with the chef, but we then remembered just because Cameroonians talk loud, does not mean they’re arguing. When he returned after ten minutes, all he said was “No, we don’t have it.” Hmph, is that it? That’s all that occurred back there?

Oh well, we deduced the cook didn’t feel like make anything else, and told him no. Just as well, they just lost 6000 CFAs because we were out the door. The buffet didn’t look half bad since there only appeared to be one dish of meat, but we wanted our specific dish with that specific sauce. Besides, why would we pay 6000 CFAs each for a meal that is sitting out?

We ended up eating at home. We stopped past one of the other supermarkets, picked up a bag of brown rice, some Indian curry sauce (we’re saving this for a night in Foumban), a can of mixed vegetables (yeah a can) and some snacks. In all we spent much less than what we originally intended too, but were probably having a much better meal.

I had no clue I would come to Cameroon to have my first bit of can food in almost three or so years. Akilah even noted that she used to wonder who actually bought can food sold in these markets. The answer? People like us. Can’t imagine a Cameroonian actually using can food to prepare a meal for the family. Is it such a foreign concept?

Even in the states I don’t use can foods, more frozen foods if anything. But as I’ve always learned, it’s good to keep them in the cabinets for those “Y2K-type” moments. (smile)