Hey!

It's Sunday. It is full blown dry season and the dust has become almost unbearable.  There is a red coating everywhere in my house. Can't keep it out, but can only limit it by keeping my front door closed to keep out most of the dust that is kicked up by passing cars and moto's.  Walking into town is horrible because any vehicle that passes creates a dust storm that covers and chokes me. By the time I get to town, I am downright red....skin and clothes.  When I blow my nose, red dust comes out. When I take my bucket bath, the water turns red.  I can't get all the red out of my clothes no matter how much I scrub. Today is windy which makes everything worse. I don't go out on windy days at all. The weather is actually quite beautiful for the most part.....cool mornings and evenings and warm days.....but the infernal dust!!!......What I wouldn't give for a good rain!

Okay. Enough of that. So I am sitting here writing to you on an early Sunday afternoon, listening to music thru my Ipod connected to a tiny little speaker (fox-l) that makes it sound like I have a wonderful stereo system.....at least it feels like that right now. Music makes everything better! Sinatra...

             "Come fly with me, let's fly, let's fly away......"

I've finally managed to pull a good compost formation together.  Couldn't find the expert I thought I would, so did it myself.  Going to teach two methods that ought to work here...both done in a hole in the ground so it can be covered with palm fronds or a grass mat to protect against the conditions here which are either really dry or really wet.....no in between.  I will present to my first group next Sunday.  Also, am managing to pull a series of business classes together.  Just nailed down the room and my Cameroonian helper and will start putting out flyers and drumming up interested parties and preparing presentations. It will be a six week course, 2 classes a week.....in french. (Actually that is the only part I'm confidant about). They are scheduled to start on February 19. Do I know what I'm doing?  No! but when the time comes, somehow I'll be ready, plus these people are very forgiving and easy to laugh.....Thank God!       Cole Porter is playing......

            "The night is young, the skies are clear, and if you wanna go walkin dear
              It's delightful
              It's delicious
              It's de-lovely...."

I confess I am a bit homesick. It happens.  Being in the Peaee Corps is an emotional roller coaster. It's hard not to feel isolated sometimes....especially in a small village like Batie, but then I can always reach out to friends here and visit them or they come over and are really wonderful and supportive.  My fellow vols are so intelligent and funny.....I am always so impressed!  And they really lean on one another for support.....it's a beautiful thing. It's a tight group!

           "......that's why the lady is a tramp!"

Ooops.  the music. I miss playing the drums.  Haven't learned the drum beats I thought I would here, but maybe when I travel a little around Africa, that will change.

Had a big argument with a moto driver here yesterday who tried to cheat me. Men are drunk with power here, but then so am I.......toe to toe.  But that's another story.

That's it for now.  I miss everyone!....a lot!

Happy New Year my precious friends and family!  Yesterday(New Years Eve) I showed a young woman how to cook a cake from scratch in a stove top oven (of sorts) and then cooked another one for myself and friends and then cooked a huge amount of Chocolate Chip Cookies to share with everyone today. I have forgotten that I don't know how to do this stuff!  Just kinda makin it up as I go along. I even enjoyed it.  (whaaaat?).  Last night was a huge party at the Carrefour. I only showed up briefly while it was still light outside and then went home, watched a movie and went to bed early because the Mayor informed me that it would get very wild and it could be dangerous for "La Blanche" to be out after dark. So I took his advice, which is a good thing because I got a call at 6 this morning.....a Mama inviting me over for breakfast.....   6AM on New Year's Day!!??!!  But, as it turns out, I was fresh as a daisy.  People will stop by to visit today (custom) and I will share treats with them and then I will go visiting a little later to get treats (lots of food) and then to the Carrefour for more eats....I'm getting to like this. So that's it.  My first New Years celebration in Cameroon!  Next year I plan to invite friends over so I can stay out after dark! Love you all!  P