Baptism of Fire

First time I heard this expression was from Mr. Tatios (one of the many intense lacrosse coaches of my past) after he threw me into a game against those amazing CCLAX girls at a tournament at USTC. I was playing with the older girls (who I was totally in awe of) because they didnt have enough players. So funny to think back on those experiences of tournaments and the pressure of organized sports now-my life is so incredibly different now (phew.)Anyway, that experience was definitely a lacrosse baptism of fire, but I had a true African religion baptism of fire this weekend...

Went to church in Foreke-Dschang (my family’s village) today. It was conducted primarily in Yemba (the language of the Foreke) with some parts in French, and one song in English. The church was packed- the choir wore matching cabbas and the kids sat in the front on the dirt floor. We arrived a little late, and my father preaches during the service in Yemba, so lucky me got escorted (solo) right up to the front by an altar server. I was placed right in the middle of the choir (who were absolutely amazing). They had 3 boys (all about 10 years old) playing the drums in the front. The woman on my left was the designated “shrieker” during the songs (who also ended up breast feeding in the middle of the service), and the man on my left was banging some sort of gourd instrument. Best 3 hour church service ever.

Couldn’t bring myself to refuse the bread and mayonnaise sandwich after church (I get the feeling mayo is a treat here…). Plastered on the bottle declares that it is "100% real American Mayonaise!" Hmmm...Im puzzled. Can something be 100% real if it is 100% fake?? Im actually starting to seriously enjoy the bread and mayo though... It has become some type of game for the Momo family to get me to eat as much as possible during each meal- they’re only satisfied if I keep up with my older brother Guilium (who also happens to be a body builder…). They remind me at each meal that want to “make you plus gross (fatter)!” I think my 40 minute walk to school is the only way Im not gaining the Dschang 15.

My dad took me on a little tour of the village the other night. We live in a compound with about 4 other families. He showed me the chiefdom, and the “secret forest” which lies behind it. In their traditional belief (Aministe), that people high up in society (chiefs, heads of households, notables, and Mafo’s – the mother of the chief who has special privileges) all have totem’s. A totem could be a snake, a lion, an elephant…something that is their animal counterpart that helps give them strength.

Went to the “centre climatique” today- it was created as a European vacation spot in the 1940s, but then World War II happened... Ended up giving 5 men swimming and diving lessons, and in turn they taught me some of their best Shakira moves (and it’s even on video… get excited).

The computer spazzed out and deleted about half my post from last time, so to clarify, AWFO= America Wins for Once. Basically the antonym for WAWA. Unfortunately not too many AWFO moments lately.

Tomorrow heading about an hour away to a more remote village to meet the chief. Crossing legs, shaking hands, and dirty shoes are strictly forbidden. Also just found out that we are supposed to let our clothes sit for 3 days after washing them or we might get some sort of bug our director explained as "a painful pimple that you can feel move under your skin." GREAT. Wish she hadnt forgotten to tell us that one...fortunately, I havent felt any mini bugs under my skin. Cross your fingers.