FIRST
IMPRESSIONS
Landing at the airport about 10 months
ago presented a bouquet of mixed feelings. Although the first fear I nursed was
that of the language but luckily many people here are bilingual, a rare opportunity
for a first-timer like me in a French colony.
As we moved through the airport, I asked myself, an airport or an
airstrip? But I soon realized several constructions were ongoing so it was a good sign that some significant development
was certainly in the offing. This first impression is particularly true as you
drive into the town which details the level of improvement required for the
country to meet the west.
A complete juxtaposition of the old
and new, albeit the old building sharply dominating the new ones. There are new
high rise apartment sprawling just close enough to old one-story dilapidated
duplexes.
Living in Douala especially as an
expatriate requires some preparation and advice from ''veteran expat'' who have
had a taste of the baptism. Adjusting to Life in Douala can be initially tough
because of language barrier (if you don’t speak French), cultural shock and
life style. However when well settled, living in Douala can be quiet, serene
and peaceful especially if you have just exited a busy city. Although so much
for first Impressions, many were proven true.
THE PEOPLE
Douala gave me an unexpected level of cultural shock. Of course I knew I
would have to make some adjustment, but I assumed more common behavioural
pattern. Though there are few similarities, the differences are enormous.
One of the most striking differences is our attitude to work. An average
francophone guy is laid back, motivated by the food he needs to eat in the
immediacy other than future plans; and is not aggressive about moving with
speed. They are slow and can’t be bothered. People who sell can also be a bit
hostile when dealing with customers. A typical French shop closes from 12noon
to 2.30pm, that's the French break! Resumption is at will across several organisations.
Another shock was also the level of single motherhood in Cameroon especially
among young girls who are barely working. Having children out of wedlock is
almost a certainty at late teens Expectations are not very high on getting
married. The conflict between the Anglophone Cameroon and francophone Cameroon has
been inevitably extended to Non-Cameroonians who speak English as their first
language. Once you speak English, you are prone to certain doses of hostility.
