In Limbe, I was approached by a journalist who said our truck journey very much interested him and he wanted to write an article about us. As it turns out, he is John Mbah Akuroh, Executive Publisher for Timescape magazine. It’s mostly Cameroonian but also covers neighbouring countries from time to time. I happened to be on cook group that night and he interviewed me about my perceptions of Cameroon whilst I was peeling potatoes. He came back in the morning to take a few photos of us at breakfast, and then arranged to meet up with us in Yaoundé, as we were going there next, and that’s where he is based.
The encounter in Yaoundé was much more eventful. We were staying at the Foyer International de l’Église Presbytérienne. I had agreed for him to meet us at our campsite at breakfast one morning and he showed up with another colleague, Philemon. He interviewed Kristy, our tour leader, and then began to interview Shaun. He was mid-interview when a crazy lady (as she shall be referred to) ran over to him, snatched his dictaphone and ran off in a mad rage with it! He ran after her thinking she was a thief, and tried to snatch it back. She was hysterical and ran into the house and shut the door in his face.
As it turns out, she jointly runs the place, and there’s apparently a rule written inside their house (which we never went into) that says you cannot invite people into the grounds without receiving prior permission.
There was another lady whom I’m calling the ‘nice lady’, who was going to come over to us to enquire who our guests were and let us know nicely that we should get permission from them as they’ve had some problems in the past. Meanwhile, crazy lady pushed past her and caused the aforementioned scene.
John tried to negotiate with crazy lady and I tried to apologise, taking full responsibility for inviting him in and telling her I was unaware of their rules. But she wasn’t having a bar of it. In fact she appeared at the door with a metal bar and began threatening him, telling him how he should be used to it as a journalist’s work is always dangerous! What a freak!
John made a phone call, and a few minutes later the local pastor turned up on her doorstep. After about 15 minutes inside, all of them emerged and the problem had been resolved. John’s dictaphone had also been returned, and crazy lady mentioned it was only because he had called a mutual friend whom she respects very much.
So we thought the matter was over, and John resumed his interview right where he left off with Shaun.
But then, the Director of Police turned up on the scene! Apparently crazy lady had called the police before the Pastor showed up, and told them that he was beating her! Again, I repeat, what a freak! The most he did was grab her arm to try to grab his own property back! So again they went into the house for another 15 minute or so discussion and when they emerged, John had clearly had enough so he thanked us for our time and quickly slipped away, probably to his serene office.
On another note, vouching for crazy lady’s craziness, Ivy found a quiet spot in the house to practice yoga. The lady came across her doing just a normal stretch and told her to leave as she didn’t want any heathen activities practiced in her house! Surprisingly though, the pot smoking locals in the bar on their premises were acceptable and allowed to stay.
So they don’t treat their guests very well at the Foyer International de l’Église Presbytérienne in Yaoundé. And I don’t think crazy lady thought about the ramifications of her actions. Piss off a journalist and at best he won’t mention your guest house. At worst, he’ll publish that there’s a crazy lady there – do not stay there. But then piss off an entire truck of tourists from all over the world, many of whom have blogs, let alone many travelling friends, and you are more than likely to end up with some pretty bad reviews. Bad move crazy lady. (I later found out she even has a bad reputation amongst other Cameroonians in different cities!)
On a lighter note, when the article comes out, John said he’d send me a copy so I’ll try to post it when I get it. Wonder whether crazy lady will feature in the story?
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