Christmas Eve and Christmas

Okay so while I posted yesterday, I just got to post something I had already written. I now have the time (and the working internet, fingers crossed) to tell you about Christmas here in Cameroon. First off, I spent Christmas Eve in Bibemi with Mike and Phil and the whole town. Then, early (and I mean early) Christmas morning the 3 of us left for Garoua to attend a holiday party hosted by the volunteers who lived in this provincial capital.

Christmas eve I spent making food. The health center was closed so there was no work I needed to do. Each person who was coming to the party was suppose to bring a gift for a white elephant gift exchange and a food to share. So, I was making 3 dishes (one for me to bring, one for Mike, one for Phil). We decided to bring desserts because I am the only volunteer I know of with a real oven (even if it does function about as well as an Easy Bake Oven). So, I made peppermint brownies (sacraficing all the peppermint hot chocolate I had brought from home) and spice cookies and a banana cream pie - all from scratch. The banana cream pie was the difficult one but we pulled it off. As I was making Christmas cookies my water boy came over to bring me water and I always give him a cookie or treat when he brings my water. Well, as I was out Cameroonian cookies you can buy at the boutiques I gave him a Christmas cookie I had made. Well, this 9 year old boy had never had chocolate or mint before - and certainly not an American style Christmas cookie in the shape of a star (yes, I brought cookie cutters). He came back to my house about 5 minutes later asking me if I had made the cookies. I said that I had and he then asked if he could have another. So, I gave him a few more. Well, he then brought me a bag of sugar and asked me if I could make him more cookies now so that he could sell them. I had to tell him that I couldn't today (I was out of all the things like butter and flour and honey) but that I would make him a batch when I got back to Bibemi with more supplies. It was adorable. I have a fan of my cooking in country now.

After making cookies, Mike, Phil and I had guca and chips (all homemade) for dinner and then went a few fetes in Bibemi for holiday season. It was great to make the rounds and see everyone in the town and yell the obligatory "Bon Fete" at people.

The next morning I got up at 5am and did all the dishes we had made yesterday. Then we left my house around 6:30 and went to the chef of the health centers house to say our Merry Christmas's and give them Christmas food. They gave us some Christmas food (popcorn and meat) in exchange. It was great. Meat! Then, we all went and caught a bush taxi to Adoumri and then from Adoumri to Garoua. Did I mention that at this point I was carrying a Banana Cream Pie? Yes, I carried it on two bush taxi and it surrived (barely). Then, we arrived in Garoua. Found a store open where we could find boose, bought credit for my phone and headed to the fete. It was fun. We took pictures. I couldn't talk to my family because my phone hated me. Got to breifly talk to Jensen, Aunt Sandy, mom, Court, Joey, and the Herrs. It was great but made me miss everyone. You would be proud of the food we made! It was great. Watched Christmas Vacation and Charlie Brown Christmas. It was awesome. But, Phil lost his wallet and now he won't stop talking about it. Mike and Phil are aruging, I have to go now. Love to everyone!!!