Pictures (and some other things) (john boiles dot com)

Feb042009

Pictures (and some other things)

Click the following picture of Barak Obama Coiffure (Hairstylist) to view my photos so far from Cameroon.

I haven’t taken a lot of photos because I haven’t had a good feel for when it is appropriate to pull out a camera.

Things with me are going well. The first couple weeks were really intense but I feel a lot more settled in and comfortable now. I went with some co-workers today to speak to a group of retired military who are potential clients for the microfinance coop CEFA. After standing around outside in the heat for about an hour (wearing a suit) a man led us to a group of about 40 people having a meeting. My collegue explained ‘We are partnered with Americans’ (which is only me) and then I introduced our organization in French. I acted the part and did fine. I think doing new things almost always feels like acting until their not new any more.

I am starting to get a functional grasp on the layout of the city and the names of the neighborhoods. The majority of the streets in Douala don’t have names (and when they do they’re not posted anywhere) so this is essential to getting around. I’ve also taken a handful of taxis so I feel comfortable with the protocol of talking to taxi drivers.

My parents are sending me Malarone to replace my Larium which is excellent. Some of the possible psycological side effects of Larium:

Anxiety
Feelings that people are against you (!)
Strange dreams

These are terrible side effects to have while traveling. I don’t feel the anxiety as much since I’m surely more used to both the medicine and the location, but I’ll be happy to change. Thank you for praying.

Overall I’m very glad and excited to be here. I have internet in my office which makes things very easy. I also work a lot; the standard work week here is 54hrs. I am really happy with the family I live with. I got to pray for my host mother the other day to feel better and the next day she thanked me and said she felt better. My host brother is really interested in the electronics projects I do. God is good. Skype me.

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Courtney on : Thu February 05, 2009, 11:00:58

John! The pictures look awesome. The Barack Obama locales remind me of in Morocco where everything is named “Disney” this or “Disney” that (i.e. my favorite ice cream place, “Patisserie Disney Channel” with no sign of any Disney theme inside). Your pictures really make me want to go to West Africa. P.S. So is this in any way connected to school? I thought you were doing study abroad, but it appears you are an African businessman.

john on : Thu February 05, 2009, 08:22:17

1) Yes and I’ve also since seen a Barak Obama discoteque!
2) Thanks!

Ashley on : Thu February 05, 2009, 07:04:35

your host sister is so cute! i’m glad you’re getting used to the place…and nice tie!

Gabriella Fanelli on : Wed February 04, 2009, 20:01:42

have you ridden the motorcycles yet?
i like all the barack obama businesses.