Can YOU run up and down a 4000 meter peak in 5.5 hours? No, me neither!

Ok, I know I'm becoming remiss in my blogging duties, but remember that life here is just life! You wouldn't write a blog about how you get up, go to work, run out to pick up some food, stop to pick up ingredients for dinner, come home, feed the dog, and go to sleep? I know, I know, when I run out to pick up some food, it involves a motorcycle, and a guessing game about which part of which animal I'm eating, and when I pick up ingredients for dinner, I have to wonder if the tomato lady is ripping me off, and feeding the dog involves cooking dry fish on the stove, and throughout the course of that day I've been called whiteman 15,000 times, and going to work involves the CONSTANT TERROR of whether or not the power will be on during my computer class.....but that's just a Wednesday!

Anyway, major events do require reporting however, and so that's what I'm here to do! First up is Youth Day, the 11th of February. The main theme of Youth Day (and to be fair, every major holiday in Cameroon) seems to be canceling school as much as possible! There's a week of events leading up to the big day, football matches, debate competitions, dancing, etc, all culminating in the “March Past”, where all the students from all the schools march past (get it?) the grandstand where the big men and women of the town are watching. From nursery school right up through the teacher training college. The little kids are SUPER cute marching. By the way, marching is taken VERY seriously here. Probably a holdover from colonization, but it is really a big deal. The girls at my school were practicing for weeks in advance, classes were even canceled to hold last minute marching practice. I missed the marching on Teacher's day (too busy cooking), but according to my friend Melissa, she didn't realize the seriousness of marching (arm swinging, stepping in rhythm, etc), and was really chastized afterwards for not marching well with her school! I may get my first marching chance this coming Women's Day (March 8th), so we'll see how I do!

Like all other holidays in Cameroon, the rest of the day is rounded out with feasting and drinking. I didn't go out too hard that day, so I made it an early evening, and was ok with that. I was just happy to watch my kids march. And very happy that the drum line would no longer be practicing right outside my front door!

And just on the heels of Youth Day came the Race for Hope! This is the annual race to the top of Mt. Cameroon and back, a marathon distance (literally) to the top and back down a 4000 meter peak. And the first runner came back in about 5.5 hours. Yeah. CRAZY, right? The winner this year was a man, didn't catch his name, but the winner of the 7 years previous was a woman (yeah empowerment!) who is now known as “The Queen of the Mountain.” Buff chicks, grrr! We went to the start/finish line and set up a couple of tents to hand out information on HIV/AIDS, along with candy (for the kids) and condoms (for the not kids). Had a LOT of INTERESTING discussions. No, the Nigerian prophet has not cured AIDS. No, you can't get AIDS from kissing. No, we're not quite certain where AIDS comes from, but you can stop yourself from getting it. Yes, lesbians can get AIDS too. No, you should not use a male and a female condom at the same time (friction). I'll spare my delicate readers the more sordid details, but let's just say that I blushed more than once, said some words that aren't usually used in polite conversations, and really feel like people left more educated than they came in. Success.

Had a nice time in Buea as well, we arrived Thursday to have Friday to prepare to set up. I found some nice fabric that I wouldn't have been able to find in Mamfe, and for much cheaper (woot!), so am looking forward to making some new dresses. Also, visited a new “Supermarket” (generic term given to any store that sells american products), and found that they are carrying my EXACT brand of conditioner! Win! Had a nice time hanging out with friends from around the region, ate some good food, and altogether had a very pleasant weekend!

Unfortunately, I also missed enough class that the OCD workaholic teacher part of me feels compelled to hold extra classes to make up time this week. Bummer, this whole conscience thing. Cameroonian teachers feel no such guilt. In any case, this week is also testing week (again, already???), so I'm SWAMPED. But it's all good, this too shall pass. Bike to the Border is still on the horizon, we're still waiting to hear about our application, as soon as I know, you will too! Also, am tentatively considering a trip to the East over “spring break” (we don't have seasons here). There's pygmies there! And real jungles! So, there's something bloggable to look forward to!

In other news (my favorite phrase), Moki continues to grow, I'm starting to worry she's a mutant. She's pure puppy, tons of energy, spastic as my cat, and destructive if left to her own devices. My house will never be truly clean again. Anyone have any ideas about how to train a dog to NOT need to pee at 2am? That's the only thing that's really driving me crazy! Every day!!! Dog whisperer? Something...

In sadder news, I've heard some distressing info about Explorit Science Center, the happy little hippy science museum I was working for in Davis up until I left. They're in pretty serious financial trouble, and may have to close if they don't raise $600,000 in the next 6 months. A pretty steep order in this economy! So, please, this place is awesome, one of a kind, and willing to re-employ me when I show back up in the US disoriented and dressing funny, if you have an extra $10 lying around, send it to them. Even better, scrap the next care package you were planning to send me (I really can live without clif bars and jellybellies), and send the money to them. They're a great place, and I'd hate to hear that they have to close, and hate even more the idea that I don't have at least one solid job opportunity when I get back. Go to www.explorit.org and check out what they have to offer. If you're a teacher in the greater sacramento area (and I mean greater! I went to Benicia, Oakland, Jackson, Yuba City, and Clearlake when I was there), book a program, that's even better (and way more fun).

That's all for now! Feel free to make comments, ask questions, etc. Would be happy to answer any of them! Love to you all! Missing everyone! Special thanks go out to Mom and Kim(the silver dog will be returned, mwahahaha), Jim and Liz and the “Southern” crew, and Dad for their packages. I know I can live without Clif Bars, but they really do make my existence a little bit brighter. As does conditioner and Jelly Bellies. Peace.