February 23, 2011

February 23, 2011 – Wednesday
--Over breakfast we discovered we’d miscalculated our return date – 2/24 12:50 am means we have to leave today vs. tomorrow. We called Njoke – we’d made plans to have today, our last tour day on the Rim Road seeing Lake Awi and eating again in Belo. Changing plans wasn’t too convenient for him, but he and Npho are flexible and said this could be done. They agreed that Sam could ride along with us – his assignment in Cameroon is over and he’ll fly home to Victoria the day after we leave. Njoke and Npho were there at noon, and we loaded all our belongings into the truck. We’d phoned Ruth to let her know we’re coming a day early, gathered and packed laundry and belongings. --Lunch along the way was at a place next to a gas station with reasonable restroom! Roasted pork and plantains with “33” – I’m sad that this is the last of these amazing meals.
--The 7-hour drive from Bamenda to Douala was beautiful, but a little anxiety-provoking. For the past few days we’d started to hear warnings not to go to Yaounde or Douala because demonstrations were planned – the north African unrest is spreading across the continent. National elections will be next fall, and there is already dissention. We were stopped a few times by militia who checked us all much more carefully than in the past few weeks – we repeatedly showed our passports and explained that we were on our way home to America the next day. We were pretty edgy.
--In Douala, Njoke amazed us again by finding Sam’s hotel without difficulty. When we were in the Titis’ neighborhood, with one phone call he got us to Ruth’s house. At the gate Joe and I spilled out of the truck to greet Elois. At the front door we introduced and hugged Ruth and Carol, then we said our farewells and thanks to Njoke and Npho.
--We were tired. Dinner was wonderful. It felt really good to be “home” again, and to fall in bed early. We’ll fly tomorrow night.