D-Day - Thursday, March 6, 2008 - Maroua
(J 1, 18:45, power outage Hotel Rawa. Sitting on the floor at my doorstep I decided to go ...) A year and a half after my return from Zimbabwe, I return to Africa. Always in sub-Saharan Africa, but without crossing the equator this time, even if I approach. My final destination is Cameroon.
(J 1, 18:45, power outage Hotel Rawa. Sitting on the floor at my doorstep I decided to go ...) A year and a half after my return from Zimbabwe, I return to Africa. Always in sub-Saharan Africa, but without crossing the equator this time, even if I approach. My final destination is Cameroon.
(9:10) Boarding my flight to Garoua takes 40 minutes late. Retard forerunner since with two hours late on the initial take-off time or at 11:28, the aircraft leaves the runway at Roissy. The Cameroon Airlines and myself we send into the air for several hours a ... simple comfort.
(1700) Arrival at International Airport Garoua. International? In good ... On the descent of this charming "cuckoo", the conclusion is immediate: "ouch, it's hot." Not really surprised. But the heat is significant, heavy. Over 40 degrees in mid-afternoon. The control formalities completed, go for luggage.
(1800) I get my luggage. Not that I was beginning to melt on the spot, but close. Robert joined me. This is my "driver" for transport to Maroua. He said he immediately recognized me through the windows that symbolize the separation between the transit area and Cameroon. No problems, friendly as he walks through the door and joined me smile. The Cameroonian hospitality does not bother customs constraints. [J 1, 7:05 p.m., and there was light!] We know the time that the belly of the plane dégurgite my business. He is tall, "nwoirre nwoirre home" with a small thick hair (I love this country already ... where are the Africans who are all like that?) Dressed in a dark blue jacket and trousers that distinguish as "Uper class" among others. And of course sunglasses screwed on the top of the skull, proud imitation of the famous Ray Ban.
(6:20 p.m.) We are at the bus station. Robert and I got out of our taxi. Is what I'm already mounted in a car leaner? I think not. Unable to identify the brand (what desolation for me, son of a car professional!). As it rolls, and that's all that matters. Anecdotally, this wheel must be turning over a quarter turn to get a slight deviation of the car on the road. It's not the steering, direction is amplified! On the road connecting the airport to the bus station, I know my first contact with the atmosphere North Cameroon. Garoua is a concert of mopeds to super gavaged who smoke as they sputter. I like. In addition, although must not abused, the super smells good. Traffic is chaotic. No traffic lights, no road markings or signs. However, in this disorder that I see as such a rule on organization. The ants just crawling. She even teeming song, "Young lady" Diam's appealing to my ears as we passes the shopping district. The 9.1. exported so far?
(18.30) our tickets in hand, we sit on a "super-car. A special customization allows the engine driving Mercedes and Toyota to mix. The seat is comfortable, air-conditioning in the wind and speed. We're off to Maroua, 90km further north. Following the unavailability of the 4x4 of the NGO at the time of my arrival, I discover my first kilometers in Cameroon along with fellow travelers camourenais.
(19.15) Super , the driver thinks laying pee. "Louis-Marie, is the hour of prayer" blows me Robert. Too bad-ft. The majority of the population is divided between Muslims and Christians, and some naturally accept the practices of others. The prayer time I reject invitations to share Robert meat and eggs sold at retail display. I did not tell him that's not to pick up a little something to bide my arrival. "We will go there if you'll crescendo Robert, I think. For these small cons dried dates, it can not refuse. Perfect combination between a certain caloric intake and body mithridatization my health conditions sur place.
(20h30) Nouvel arrêt sur la « route » qui nous mène à Garoua. Un checkpoint sauvage nous stoppe et permet aux enfants des abris et chaumières alentours d’accourir pour nous proposer un fruit, une pâtisserie ou une boisson pendant que le chauffeur lui, arrose d’une pièce le contrôleur paré d’un gilet plus vraiment orange réfléchissant. La longue branche d’arbre qui faisait office de barrière se lève à la seule force d’un adolescent de quatorze ans. Notre périple reprend.
(Voyage à bord du « car express ») Ailleurs, sur des pistes ski poles strewn, certainly, our driver would have had a medal. Blend of speed and slalom, road, or rather the paving of the runway is littered with potholes. [I pause a few minutes to try to make a lizard out of my room. In vain, he likes the softness of the air conditioning. (Yes I know, I have the air conditioning ...)] There are [so] for all tastes: from the small hole at the big crevasse, the road is fraught with pitfalls. One wonders how the shock can take. And something even more astonishing, the odometer showed more than 830 000 km! There is no error zero.
(10:15 p.m.) We finally arrive. Several stops and hours after our departure from Garoua, Maroua softness appears, even at night. The journey was long and difficult given the harshness of the trail. Almost four hours to 90 km. And yet the driver does not hang. Patiently waiting at the bus station, Remi, my partner and main contact for my mission field joins us aboard the air-conditioned 4x4 IUCN. Him that we found waiting for us at last. Adorable, he escorts me to my hotel.
(2230) After a few recommendations et l’heure de rendez-vous fixée pour 8h le lendemain matin, je gagne ma chambre 113, simple et confortable. Je prends un douche tiède qui me délasse beaucoup et me convainc que le sommeil n’est plus très loin. Le temps de grignoter quelques barres céréalières et de préparer plusieurs litres d’eau purifiée, je m’allonge sur mon lit, couvert d’un simple drap, et soutenu à la tête par un oreiller rembourré au maximum ! L’oreiller gonflable vient finalement accompagner ma nuit.
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