Off to Dschang and Bamenda today!

I wanted to do a quick post while I'm sitting in the office waiting for a doctor to come to talk to us about the Cholera epidemic. I guess Cholera is spreading very quickly, but right now it's mostly stationed in the grand north of Cameroon. In about a month or so we are supposed to travel to Ngaoundere, which is close to the north. However, we might adjust our program and stay longer in Kribi or something to avoid Cholera. Kribi has a high pygmy population, so I'm really excited to visit! We are off to the cities of Dschang and then Bamenda this morning for about two weeks. I will not have much internet access while I am there, so don't worry if I haven't updated! While we're in Dschong I will be staying at a new home stay. I'm kind of nervous for a new family! I heard Dschong is colder and muddier and a bit more rural than where we have been in the capital of Yaounde. But it should be an interesting experience! By the way, I have survived my first illness in Africa. A couple of days ago I was having really bad ear aches, which I've had before. I tried to take some pain killers but it wasn't going away. So I went to the hospital here and it was kind of intimidating. I guess I was picturing a large and organized hospital. When I pulled in, I had one of those "wow, I'm really a developing country" moments. The parking lot (more like a drop off area-ish thing) was all mud. When you walk in, there are a bunch of people and benches and you just kind of try to get ahead of people to check in. Nothing is really computerized and everything is confusing. I'm glad a staff member was with me because I had absolutely no idea what was going on. But in the end, I got some medicine for an ear infection. My stomach has been hurting a lot though so I hope the medicine starts to agree with me. Being sick is no fun, but it's extra stressful when you feel like you can't understand the language or culture, and the medicines are different. Eek. On a better note, I got fitted for my fun African clothes. They should be ready when I get back from Dschong! I got two dresses, one more traditional and one kind of cute and summery. I also got a tunic with some of the extra fabric, as well as patchwork pants which I am SO excited about! So, so, so excited. Oh, and on student night (Thursday night) we made improv-Cameroonian grilled cheeses. We used a big baguette and bought some over priced cheddar cheese and tomatoes. But for what it was, it was delicious. I have actually grown to love fried plantains too. I may have already mentioned that in my last post, but my mom makes them so well! I will make them when I get home for a taste of Cameroon! My mom in Yaounde is really sweet. She gave me the spreadable cheese as a gift, bought me all kinds of fruit (probably evidenced by my obsession with oranges here), and even gave me a blouse. It has teddy bears on it, but I will sport it like a champ. I will do my best to find some internet in the next two weeks, but if not I'll write a nice long post about Dschang and Bamenda when I get back! Misses, Brittany