J 3 - Sunday, March 9, 2008 - Maroua
(0930) After being re-awakened by the muezzin this night is coming to wake me up Theresa by tapping at my door. Its presence does not necessarily makes me happy, I do not know what she picks. My grandson already eaten, I finally decided to call to offer him out on the town.
(10.05) I first invited to discover that his house is just opposite the hotel. It is a set of earthen construction and cement. I met members of his family. Notably, his uncle, who Aymar almost the same age as us. Find the error. He introduced me to his wife and young daughter. They are gorgeous. He does the laundry in two seals. Needless to say the color of the water. But ultimately, it says nothing about the cleanliness of the machine. And he, his linen is dry in 20 minutes, of course!
(10:30) With Paul, another uncle, Theresa and we leave for the big market of Maroua, active every day, and large activity area of the city. Super bike ride and once there, towards the first commercial craft. Must say, there are too many pretty things. For sure I will return at the end of my stay. Of course, I am subject to numerous requests from vendors, but it's Part of the charm of these places. We visit the various stalls when the market is organized in different sectors. A corner for textiles, a corner for DIY mechanics, for skin care products, etc.. But undoubtedly, the place most characteristic of this kind of place is the part below the exposure of food. Fruits, vegetables, spices and other seeds are not the problem. For cons, the stalls that expose the dried fish and meat smell that takes on the nose. I tried to play it quiet, but my nose stung me!
(12h45) Après une petite pose désaltérante, nous partons visiter les forges de Maroua. Ni usines ni ateliers équipés, mais des petites cabanes où des personnes de tous âges forgent le fer. Les techniques sont rudimentaires mais mettent en valeur la qualité de ces « artisans » à transformer la matière. Souvent issue de la récupération, ces forgerons fabriquent n’importent quels outils ou ustensiles. La suite de notre ballade me permet de découvrir les nouvelles écoles de Maroua, fruit d’un don des Japonais à la ville. D’abord étonné de voir les Japonais s’afficher ici, je comprends qu’il n’y a pas que les Chinois investing in Africa now. Back at the hotel for work, I plan to find my comrades out later in the day.
(17.40 hrs) I will face, at "my guests" of Cameroon. They are very hospitable. So with my laptop I organize the animation of the late afternoon. Music, videos, photos, everything goes. And it is rather a success. I'm happy, although I say that I owe more to the computer, more than my own qualities ... That's also a little Western! Always Is the software making photo and image distortion is a great success! Everybody laughed at these bizarre pictures.
(1900) Time passes and the little family, especially women, invited me to dinner. Sitting on a kilt, we eat a homemade couscous, polenta. Hands washed, and apprehension of eating food that can cause me health problems, I take my food (and my courage) with both hands to better enjoy this delicious meal. And with the hands is so much better. I'm the laughingstock of others that amused me See Gallery on eating properly. It also means that I make way while I'm just enjoying the meal before me! Finally, the evening ends with a few photos and umpteenth not sound ... Vengaboys - Boom boom boom bou ... na na na na na na ...
(2100) In my room, I'm back at work . Tomorrow, with Remi, we must provide a schedule of work. I also want to be convincing that he understands the interest from several days in the field. Especially as the study of Chadian refugees is a hot topic on which I intend to also reorient my research university. A final surprise was evident. Therese, who is again invited on the outside my door. I do not like it very much. I finally make him understand that I do not want to have that kind of behavior with me. Not sure she understands. These are probably the vagaries of the learning of others.
Street Maroua feature with these trees along the roads.
Attempted "mangeage" with hands
Meeting Cameroon
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