June 14, 2009

I just had my first experience with Cameroonian hospitals/doctors. The Jump Little Children said it best, “very interesting”. It is Sunday, so it was actually more of a favor to the Peace Corps that he even came in (well, that and they pay him really well for his services). At one point, I was really concerned that he was going to give me another tetanus shot – but thank God he didn’t. I am still not to easy with the idea of having a needle stuck in me in Africa.
So, you may now be wondering, why did I have to go to the doctor? Well, as most of you know, I am not known to be the most graceful person. Last night after my shower, of freezing water might I add, I accidently knocked into my metal trunk. I thought I had just scratched it but when I glanced down blood was gushing out!!! The cut was about two inches long or whatever the equivalent of 8 cm is and was actually open. I immediately grabbed my handy Peace Corps medical kit and began frantically searching through for what I was supposed to use.
So now here is the dilemma I am in: 1) my family doesn’t understand a word I am saying 2) I don’t have enough hands to hold the wound together and butterfly suture it 3) It is after 7:00 p.m. so none of the other trainees can come help me. I eventually get the blood stopped by putting my leg higher than my heart (not sure if this is what did it or if it is an old wives tale). I then go and ask my home stay sister, Sandrine, to help me. She then holds my wound together while I put ointment and the sutures on it. Let me remind you that there is absolutely no spoken communication between us, I can’t speak French and she can’t speak English. I am sure every fly/bug/spider in my room was gasping for breath at the hilarity of the situation.
It actually works pretty well and I get it all bandaged up. I spoke with another trainee who told me to call David, who is the head of the whole training program, just to let him know. The next thing I know, they are at the door and make me call Chad the PCMO. Due to the fact that it was a metal trunk they were slightly freaked. I am now on an anti-biotic and have some sort of cream to put on it. I am sure this is just the beginning of my medical incidents.
June 14, 2009
Later in the day…
I cannot remember ever being more out of my comfort zone than I was today, but oh what an exhilarating experience! I went with my home stay siblings (Sandrine, Christian and Rodriquez) and their friends to see B-town play soccer (au football). I had no idea what I was getting myself into! When we arrived at the stadium Christian bought the tickets and then we went to go in. My family and friends immediately surrounded me (a form of protection I realized immediately – I was also told not to bring my purse) and I quickly realized why. I was probably the only ‘le blanche’ (white person) in the entire place of probably over 1,000 people! We stood along the fence and watched the entire soccer match between B-town and Yaounde. It was great! As soccer matches go it was getting towards the end and the score was zero to zero. Right at the end B-town scored a goal on a penalty kick, it was beautiful. They crowd went crazy. It finally clicked with me that I could have gotten myself into a “possibly explosive situation”. My concern didn’t last long though, Sandrine grabbed my hand and Christian quickly stepped to the other side of me and they stayed that way until we were out of the stadium. It was such a great experience considering we still can’t really communicate all that much…
Another note: It finally occurred to me this morning, as I was washing our dishes from breakfast, what I have accepted as livable conditions. I was dishes with an old (in no way clean) rag and then rinse in the tap water. In our kitchen there are flies/bugs everywhere and the food just sits out. I probably should be more concerned than I am but I think that would probably lead to an anxiety attack!
The food is fabulous. I bought myself and my family pastries (tasted like large donut holes without the icing). There is no processed food here (Heather- you would be in heaven) and almost all that we eat is handmade and really tasty! The only thing I can’t quite get used to is eating the whole fish (tale, fins, head, eyes, etc.) I keep telling my home stay mother, Berline, “J’ai plein” or “Je suis rassasier!” (which simply translated means: I am full or I’ve had enough). It seems think I am too skinny which is ironic because in the USA I am considered over weight!
Tomorrow I am going to try washing my clothes, this should be hilarious. Hopefully everyone want watch and laugh! Bonnenuit!