Is this Cameroon?

I arrived Sunday to a cool, calm and dry Douala International Airport. Those of you unfamiliar with Cameroon should know that these were entirely unexpected circumstances. Generally speaking, when you think Douala, you think oppressive heat, maddening crowds, and drenched clothes (if it’s not rain, it’s sweat …. yeah). It’s a port town, and we all know what port towns are like. Now take that image, colorful as it already may be, and place it in the Gulf of Guinea, in the armpit of the African continent, a short drive from the equator. Now ask yourself if cool, calm and dry fit that picture. A little out of place, right? I thought so too.

But it was so and such chance put me in an unbelievable mood. A cool ocean breeze blew through the walkway from the runway to the airport. The airport itself was a little crowded – two flights came in at about the same time: my Swiss Air flight and an Air France flight – but I had no problem getting through the passport/visa line and retrieving my checked bag. Astonished again. Then the lady at customs: “Do you have anything to declare?” she asked, smiling all the time. “Nothing at all,” I said and she nodded and waved me through. I probably should’ve declared a thing or two in that bag, but doing so would’ve meant tampering with an incredibly tenuous packing job and I thought it wise to just move along.

I’m living and working in the West Province of Cameroon, in the volcanic highlands of the country, where the air is almost always cool, the views incredible and the food often unbearably spicy. This is the same region I lived and worked in for more than two years with Peace Corps. I know this region well. It feels like home. Most trips down the mountain leave me hot, uncomfortable and desperate to get to higher ground, but this latest arrival in Douala was, simply put, not too bad – an omen that augurs great things, I think, for this trip and the work ahead.

Much more to come......