Saturday, May 7, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
February 26, 2011
We woke up too early and couldn't get back to sleep - the joys of international travel! Shortly we caught up with Peggi and Robert for a very leisurely breakfast. Then we went to my car where my phone was patiently waiting for me! after charging it, to my joy all the information was still there. United Airlines called Peggi to let her know that our carry-on bags had arrived at Sky Harbor-Phoenix - sure enough, they were waiting for us at the airport and now all our bags are with us again.
--We spent the day visiting with Peg and Robert, catching up with family news, and absorbing the fact that we're no longer in Cameroon. For supper we bought some charcoaled ribs with green chile salsa and some fresh fruit, and spread them out on the bed in our hotel room for a feast. Sleep deprivation caught up with us, and we were in bed early.
--We spent the day visiting with Peg and Robert, catching up with family news, and absorbing the fact that we're no longer in Cameroon. For supper we bought some charcoaled ribs with green chile salsa and some fresh fruit, and spread them out on the bed in our hotel room for a feast. Sleep deprivation caught up with us, and we were in bed early.
Friday, February 25, 2011
February 25, 2011
February 25, 2011 – Friday
--Once in the air, dinner was served and then the lights went out. Somewhere, over Libya?, I saw lights that looked like large fires – I worried, then felt reassured that they were communities and ok. Maybe they were oil refineries burning off wastes? I couldn’t sleep. At 6 am breakfast was served. We arrived in Brussels at 7 am, went through more security checks getting to our connecting flight – our passports remained in our hands since we needed to show them so often. Then we were the waiting area only to find that the internet kiosks were not in service – darn! We killed 4 hours.
--12:30 pm – We boarded United Airlines for Washington-Dulles almost 9 flying hours away, and earlier clock time – Cameroon is 8 hours later than Arizona. An ok midday meal was served. The flight was crowded and seating was tight – I was glad to have the window seat, but I was restless and it was still very hard to sleep.
--We arrived at Dulles at 2:15 pm EST – tired and dazed. As with all arriving international flights, we had to collect our check-in luggage and have it checked by US Customs before it could be loaded on the plane to Phoenix. When we got the luggage, one check-in bag missing, and we had to wait for it to be sent and catch up to us. Eventually we got all our check-in and carry-on luggage and went through customs w/o incident. We picked up the bags and rechecked them – including our carry-ons – dang! The baggage handler checked and couldn’t find our bags, he said they’re already gone and he couldn’t retrieve them. Then we spoke with United Airlines Customer Service who said the same and took our information – we fear the 2 check-in bags may not have adequate identification since they were never checked in.
--With the baggage snafus, when we got to the gate our flight was already boarding – that layover whizzed by!
--The last leg of our journey. We left Dulles at 5 pm, and after almost 6 hours we arrived at Phx Sky Harbor, at 8:00 pm. Peggi was there! Robert circled the airport with the car while we did the luggage gig. We hugged and danced around the baggage carousel. Chattering happily, very tired, we got the 3 check-in bags, but the carry-on bags didn’t come on this flight. So we met again with United Airlines Customer Service and gave descriptive info. When the bags arrive they’ll fly them to Show Low Airport.
--It was good to hear family news, so, so wonderful! And we had American fast food for supper – I’d looked forward to this and wasn’t disappointed. Then Motel 8 in Apache Junction, and to sleep.
--Once in the air, dinner was served and then the lights went out. Somewhere, over Libya?, I saw lights that looked like large fires – I worried, then felt reassured that they were communities and ok. Maybe they were oil refineries burning off wastes? I couldn’t sleep. At 6 am breakfast was served. We arrived in Brussels at 7 am, went through more security checks getting to our connecting flight – our passports remained in our hands since we needed to show them so often. Then we were the waiting area only to find that the internet kiosks were not in service – darn! We killed 4 hours.
--12:30 pm – We boarded United Airlines for Washington-Dulles almost 9 flying hours away, and earlier clock time – Cameroon is 8 hours later than Arizona. An ok midday meal was served. The flight was crowded and seating was tight – I was glad to have the window seat, but I was restless and it was still very hard to sleep.
--We arrived at Dulles at 2:15 pm EST – tired and dazed. As with all arriving international flights, we had to collect our check-in luggage and have it checked by US Customs before it could be loaded on the plane to Phoenix. When we got the luggage, one check-in bag missing, and we had to wait for it to be sent and catch up to us. Eventually we got all our check-in and carry-on luggage and went through customs w/o incident. We picked up the bags and rechecked them – including our carry-ons – dang! The baggage handler checked and couldn’t find our bags, he said they’re already gone and he couldn’t retrieve them. Then we spoke with United Airlines Customer Service who said the same and took our information – we fear the 2 check-in bags may not have adequate identification since they were never checked in.
--With the baggage snafus, when we got to the gate our flight was already boarding – that layover whizzed by!
--The last leg of our journey. We left Dulles at 5 pm, and after almost 6 hours we arrived at Phx Sky Harbor, at 8:00 pm. Peggi was there! Robert circled the airport with the car while we did the luggage gig. We hugged and danced around the baggage carousel. Chattering happily, very tired, we got the 3 check-in bags, but the carry-on bags didn’t come on this flight. So we met again with United Airlines Customer Service and gave descriptive info. When the bags arrive they’ll fly them to Show Low Airport.
--It was good to hear family news, so, so wonderful! And we had American fast food for supper – I’d looked forward to this and wasn’t disappointed. Then Motel 8 in Apache Junction, and to sleep.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
February 24, 2011
February 24, 2011 – Thursday
--I woke early and began packing in earnest for our flight. I made the final decision to leave much of my clothing for WEH so as to accommodate everything we want to take home. After the packing was completed and we counted our bags, we had only 3 check-ins – why? We’d arrived with 2 check-ins each and our respective carry-on bags, ie, 4 check-ins and carry-ons. We finally figured out that we’d used the smaller duffle as a dirty clothes bag, and when we had our laundry done in Bamenda we didn’t notice that it wasn’t returned when our clean clothes showed up in our room. Oh well – less to carry, and going home we’re a lot lighter than we were when we came 2 months ago.
--There’s no internet service anywhere in the neighborhood – Joe went to the internet café where we’ve been before, and on the way back he stopped at the Marche for a bag of cookies.
--We got a ride to the airport and checked our bags in early. Then back home for farewell dinner. At Ruth’s request, I prepared dinner using the Arizona seasonings I’d brought as a house gift. We had roasted pork with chorizo-stuffing using Ruth’s “sophisticated” pork – she raises her own pigs so’s to know what they eat, and they’re really good.
--We were back at the airport at 10:30 pm to check ourselves in. We showed our passports at least 8 times from check-in until we arrived in the passengers lobby! Just outside the lobby there was a food vendor with sandwiches and cold drinks in a cooler. Joe went out of the lobby to get things for us, but he was not allowed to bring them in. I joined him and we gulped down 1.5 L water and large can beer. Then we showed our passports again to re-enter the passengers lobby where our carry-on luggage was patiently waiting for us – it had been in full view while we had our drinks. We boarded Brussels Airlines at 12:30 am, about 30 minutes earlier than original ticketed time.
--I woke early and began packing in earnest for our flight. I made the final decision to leave much of my clothing for WEH so as to accommodate everything we want to take home. After the packing was completed and we counted our bags, we had only 3 check-ins – why? We’d arrived with 2 check-ins each and our respective carry-on bags, ie, 4 check-ins and carry-ons. We finally figured out that we’d used the smaller duffle as a dirty clothes bag, and when we had our laundry done in Bamenda we didn’t notice that it wasn’t returned when our clean clothes showed up in our room. Oh well – less to carry, and going home we’re a lot lighter than we were when we came 2 months ago.
--There’s no internet service anywhere in the neighborhood – Joe went to the internet café where we’ve been before, and on the way back he stopped at the Marche for a bag of cookies.
--We got a ride to the airport and checked our bags in early. Then back home for farewell dinner. At Ruth’s request, I prepared dinner using the Arizona seasonings I’d brought as a house gift. We had roasted pork with chorizo-stuffing using Ruth’s “sophisticated” pork – she raises her own pigs so’s to know what they eat, and they’re really good.
--We were back at the airport at 10:30 pm to check ourselves in. We showed our passports at least 8 times from check-in until we arrived in the passengers lobby! Just outside the lobby there was a food vendor with sandwiches and cold drinks in a cooler. Joe went out of the lobby to get things for us, but he was not allowed to bring them in. I joined him and we gulped down 1.5 L water and large can beer. Then we showed our passports again to re-enter the passengers lobby where our carry-on luggage was patiently waiting for us – it had been in full view while we had our drinks. We boarded Brussels Airlines at 12:30 am, about 30 minutes earlier than original ticketed time.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
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.
--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.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
February 22, 2011
February 22, 2011 – Tuesday
--Today is my birthday – now I’m a septuagenarian! I don’t feel any older or different.
--Saw patients with Godlove. Lunch at CBCHB Canteen Afternoon ride in his car to Mbingo Hospital.
--Met with Dr. Palmer – offer to come teach NPs and psychiatry to residents
--Toured some of hospital, met Administrator
--Snacks in Mbingo canteen, visited with his staff and social workers.
--Drove back to town – stopped at Circle-K-like place for American hamburgers, bargained for watermelons.
--Car wouldn’t start – got a push, pusher jumped in to drive, down a hill and around we went, car started, driver couldn’t get it in reverse…
--Njoke to take us to Lake Awi tomorrow – last tour activity.
--Today is my birthday – now I’m a septuagenarian! I don’t feel any older or different.
--Saw patients with Godlove. Lunch at CBCHB Canteen Afternoon ride in his car to Mbingo Hospital.
--Met with Dr. Palmer – offer to come teach NPs and psychiatry to residents
--Toured some of hospital, met Administrator
--Snacks in Mbingo canteen, visited with his staff and social workers.
--Drove back to town – stopped at Circle-K-like place for American hamburgers, bargained for watermelons.
--Car wouldn’t start – got a push, pusher jumped in to drive, down a hill and around we went, car started, driver couldn’t get it in reverse…
--Njoke to take us to Lake Awi tomorrow – last tour activity.
Monday, February 21, 2011
February 21, 2011
February 21, 2011 – Monday
--I was up early, very excited - I walked across the street to his office, CBCHB- Community Counseling Center – coincidentally I work for Community Counseling Centers at home in Arizona! We’re seeing patients again today. The CBCHB doctors do their best, but the formulary is limited, and none of them are psychiatrists or know much of anything about psychotropics. When they’ve tried and failed, they refer psychiatric patients to Godlove. We saw 3 patients, one of whom has been taking antipsychotics which are partially controlling her tormenting voices but she’s developed severe muscle pain and stiffness – the prescribing doctor sent her to Godlove to see what he can do. I knew immediately that she was having side effects to her antipsychotics and sent the lady’s husband to a pharmacy for benztropine which we use regularly in the US
--Godlove took me to lunch at Friendship, then I had the afternoon off to stroll around the neighborhood with Joe.
--We had another new adventure. Sam Waller is a Canadian accountant who is here to help some community counsels develop record-keeping systems. Several times we’ve enjoyed visiting over breakfast, and today we decided to take a taxi to town to a restaurant that he recommended, Dreamland. Taxis here are very inexpensive, about 500 cfa ($1.00) per person – it seems the drivers must make their money by the volume of fares. It is common for a taxi to carry 7-8 people with a lot of personal belongings – people go a few blocks and get out and others climb in. So, we got in and Sam told the driver we’re going to Dreamland. It wasn’t long till our taxi had more people going the same general direction that we were. We arrived at an unfamiliar street and the taxi stopped midblock, “this is it” said Sam. We climbed a steep 2-story flight of stairs with no landing, and entered a lovely restaurant with white table cloths and formally attired wait staff. At our request, we were seated on the balcony where we watched the street below. The food was good – spicy chicken, rice, fried plantains, red sauce, hot sauce, pepper soup – yum! Then back to the Rest House in another taxi, repeating the trip in reverse.
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