Laughing Like A Fool

Curse those 4.45 bells!

Catherine greets me at the breakfast table this morning with a rousing rendition of "Bingo, the farmer's dog"- an old (and very catchy) school song from many a year ago. I might sing it on the way to school today.

School is going well. I take Etonde for some language and reading classes in the workshop. The local teacher is a helpful young man and is more than happy for me to do so. It's a thought to think I will be finishing here very soon, probably within the next seven days. I am trying to maximise my time here for what remains.

On the way back from school, I stop off at my country local for a quick beer. I regret to inform you that the Castel beer promotion has ended. The silver lining of this particular cloud is a change of promotion from their beer to their stout. I give it a go, and have instant success. It's not oodles of cash or the star prize of a Toyota ATV that I win, but another beer. I tapped on the bottle three times in front of the owner and told her I would win. She just laughed.

Champion's league night tonight, but instead of a bar, it's a TV shop. My money exchanger has invited me to sit with his friends and take in the game They are a real bunch of characters and certainly should be the regulars of a pub somewhere. In actual fact, the only thing that is a part of a bar in tonight's proceedings are the chairs from next doors joint, which we have unashamedly stolen. Nobody really seems to mind.

I spend some lengthy time with C tonight. It's been a while since we have both been around simultaneously. She informs me that she participated in a beer throwing ceremony this evening. It's sounds like a total waste, but, apparently, it's part of the local tradition. It precedes one of the departed's children getting married. The family gather around the grave with a beer and pour the first and the last of the bottle on to the hallowed ground. The drink is is then passed around those present and everybody takes a sip, before the last part is thrown down. As the ceremony occurs, everybody prays to their ancestors that the new couple may enjoy a successful union and bright future together. In this case, the family concerned is the one we are travelling with to Bamenda to meet the "other side". I met the groom yesterday. He's another cheery looking chap.

The main conversation of the evening, revolves around the Bamenda trip. I discover that we are going to meet the "Fons". It's not going to be the bizarre character from "Happy Days" though. Instead, it is a small distinguished group of infamous and powerful chiefs from the nearby area. Each one can have up to 30 wives, which he has simply chosen without anyone else's agreement. No getting down on one knee here. The particular Fon we are going to see is interestingly married to a German woman. I'm not sure what number she is. I find their marriage quite intriguing.

All that is required now is for me to find some clean clothes and c to locate where she has put all her pants.

Random local word or saying of today: "Last night, I slept with my shoes on."

Translation: "Last night, I got very drunk."