Happy Easter

Algol
Hamish Tait, Robin Hastie & Jim Hepburn
Sun 23 Mar 2008 10:55
Anne & I wish everyone a happy Easter.

We've been away from Zidim for the best part of two weeks. VSO had arranged a conference for the volunteers and their partner organisations working in HIV/AIDS. The conference was held in a beach resort hotel in Limbé on the Atlantic coast. Sounds great, but it took us three days to get there: day 1 Zidim to Maroua, day 2 bus from Maroua to nGaoundere (8 hours), then overnight train to Yaoundé, day 3 bus from Yaoundé to Limbé (10 hours including a lot of hanging around). The conference was useful and it was helpful to hear about the various problems all the volunteers have had and the solutions for them. We did have some time to try the surf on the beach but Anne wasn't too thrilled by the black volcanic sand. The climate in the south is very different - warm humid tropical weather. Fresh fruit is abundant and delicious. It was interesting to see a plantation of rubber trees complete with little cups tied to the tree trunks to catch the sap. Have seen pictures of this but never expected to see the real thing. We could even smell the rubber.
We've had three days back in Maroua and later today we collect our new (19 year old) car. When we get back to Zidim we should meet a German family who have arrived while we've been away. The husband is a surgeon and his wife is also medical. They have been working for a mission in Chad but were evacuated when the trouble started there. Apparently they were feeling bored being stuck in Yaoundé so were happy to come and help us out at Zidim for a spell. Not sure how long they'll be staying but it will make a huge difference.
Our laptop replacement charger has arrived at long last. No, not the one Nicola posted in November last year, a second one she sent by DHL 2 weeks ago. It came via Nigeria, Brussels, Nigeria again then the Gabon before winding up in Yaoundé. It only took another 4 days to come from there to Maroua. That's what they call an express delivery service! At least it's here and hopefully we can get some pictures into the blog.