July 1, 2007 : Saturday – A Big Night in Banganté

Saturday night I went to the annual year end celebration for the Lycée Classique. It’s the first social function I’ve really participated in since our arrival in country. In Yaounde, I was still feeling tentative – both physically and emotionally. So Saturday night’s festivity was really the first event I have looked forward to with anticipation. Parties typically start late here and this one was no exception. The official start time was 9:00 pm – so we arrived in a timely manner around 10:30 pm. The event took place at the Hot Palace at the other end of town. Initially my host dad planned for us to travel by moto, but when I informed him of the dreaded Pan Am award for traveling without a helmet (immediate repatriation to the USA), he made arrangements for us to travel by car with our neighbors (Thank God!! - I still haven’t told him that I now have a helmet – I am acclimating to life here in baby steps - perhaps I’ll be ready to try a moto ride next week ;-). We entered the salle to a sober group of teachers, talking quietly to their companions. Music played quietly and we took our place on three available seats. I saw Reed with his family on one side of the room and Michael with his host dad seated at the table of honor on the other side, as we all waited patiently for the sou préfet & préfet to arrive. As each of them arrived (about 30 minutes later) we all rose to acknowledge them. Speeches were and the presence of our esteemed guests was noted numerous times. Appreciation and thanks were extended to individual instructors and various committees. Promotions were noted and more speeches followed. Finally we moved to the dinner. As with work functions back home, the ladies of the school had prepared a number of potluck style dishes. I choose a few things that looked familiar, but all I could think about was Nurse Ann’s latest riveting installment about food preparation, public functions, and diarrhea. I said a silent pray over my cold food and dove in (woo-who - today is Monday & I’m still fine!). Once the food was cleared and the tables removed, the party was ready to start in earnest. The MC turned things over to the DJ, who cranked up the music and people began to hit the dance floor. I wasn’t sure what I would do, but the problem was solved as the MC came over to invite me onto the dance floor. Just in case I did not stand out enough in this crowd, I chose to wear a long white skirt that glowed under the black lights. Well, there was certainly no missing me now - thank God I have a little rhythm!! The party goers were pleasantly surprised to see la Blanche sait danser!! That was all it took – I barely sat down the rest of the evening. The music was great, the people were very warm and just like any office party back home, I had to remind a couple of dance partners where my waist was.

Things were going well and the room was heating up so I decided to take a break and find the ladies room. The entrance to the ‘toilette’ was outside in back of the club, and some things never change, there was a line for the bathroom. As I waited my turn, I noticed a short stairway that led to a small landing. I thought - what a lovely place to view the night sky – so I proceeded up the stairs. Midway up, something caught my attention on the left. Still aglow from a pleasant evening, I turned my head to see what was there. Twelve inches from my face was a small creature – oh a cat (the expectations from our previous life filtering my perceptions) – no, wait – that’s no cat. Good God – it’s a monkey!!!!! There it was, a hand’s breadth from my face – a small pale monkey with a dark face – the kind we normally see with organ grinders back home. I was completely startled and scampered back down the steep narrow steps as fast as my 3 inch Italian pumps could carry me. This encounter would have been unsettling on any occasion but today it was more acute due to the conversation we had shared at the breakfast table. Apparently, a chimpanzee had recently attacked a child in the South province and torn off half his face and portions of both feet. The child is in serious condition in a hospital. All I could think about as I flailed my arms and ran down the steps was the possibility of that cute little monkey ripping out my cheek. Now I really had to pee. Why – why – why did I think there would be a proper bathroom at a night club!!! The toilet was free, so I entered to find – nothing. Nothing, that is except a hole in the tile floor, six inches in diameter in the middle of the room. I was rattled from my encounter with the animal kingdom and I had to go urgently. Even under the best of circumstances, aiming my pee into a small hole is not a skill I have practiced (if I were Luke Skywalker – the empire would never have been destroyed). After an untidy start I finally mastered the trajectory and accomplished my mission. No toilet paper, no sink, no hand sanitizer – again, all I could think about was our beloved Nurse Ann and her important lessons - oh well…….I returned to the dance hall, my bladder relived, my nerves settled, my lipstick refreshed and my poor Italian pumps a little worst for wear. The music continued and by now several bottles of beer and juice had been spilt all over the dance floor, but these shoes were made for dancing, and a dancing we did go. Besides, Nordstrom’s has an excellent return policy. Perhaps I can return them when we get back to the states.

THE END ;-)