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credible four-part harmonies. I didn't eat breakfast before mass, so by the time it was over,
IwasveryhungryandthefirstthingIcameacross,Ibought:fivesugar-covereddoughnuts
and a crunchy bar…what?
SinceIonlyhad50kilometrestodofortheday,Ileftat11:00a.m.andkeptacasual
pace throughout. The stretch of road was beautifully engineered with no sharp curves or
steep hills to contend with and since the sky was overcast I had a break from the sun. I was
so relaxed that I really enjoy the day paying closer attention to the sounds of the birds and
the greenery around me. I stopped 8 kilometres from Ebolowa for some fresh pineapple
juice and sat with the locals and chatted. I found the Salesian mission rather quickly and
Father Valentino welcomed me and showed me to my room. I took a solar-heated shower
(what a luxury) and quickly changed.
After a small lunch, Father took me to the church hall to see a variety show which
was staged by the youth. There were bands, dancers and a play. There were hundreds of
children sitting around me in the audience who were laughing hard during the play. I en-
joyed the spectacle immensely even though I didn't understand what was being said on the
stage for it wasn't in French. Kudos to the Salesians for the work they do with the youth
(the world over.) I thought it was a beautiful way to channel the children's enthusiasm and
energy. I stayed for three hours and eventually headed back to my room. As I wrote in my
journal bythewindow,Icouldstill hearthechildren'slaughter andthemusic coming from
the stage. This was a side of Cameroon that I was so happy to see.
I woke up after a long and deep sleep. I had breakfast with the Fathers and packed
my bike. After thanking them, I made my way to Ambam under a very cloudy sky. Sadly,
the paved road ended after 20 kilometres but the gravel surface that replaced it was in very
good condition.
When I arrived in Méyo, I stopped for lunch and quickly was surrounded by chil-
dren.IatewhatIhadonthebikewhichwasbasicallyachocolate,butter,andbananasand-
wich and some pineapple juice (worked for me).
I was told that I had 43 kilometres left to arrive in Ambam so I paced myself. I
took the first few kilometres slow to help with the digestion and then pushed myself a little
harder. I pushed a little too hard for my front wheel slipped on the loose gravel as I tried to
negotiateaturnandIfelloffthebike.Thistime,Ibruisedmyleftthumb(palmside)which
hurt like hell especially when I rode over any rough terrain.
IcontinuedforthreehoursandcameuponapolicecheckpointwithaRambo-want-
to-be (heavily built, dark sunglasses, no smile…and a big gun). He questioned me for 10
minutes regarding my mission and what I had in the panniers. I was polite (he had a gun)
and eventually he let me be on my way.
IarrivedatthemissioninAmbamandmetoneofthepriests.Whatacomedian!He
told me to wait for the curé (parish priest) who was in charge. I did a traveler's no-no here.
AsIwaitedforthecuré,agroupofstudentscamebyandpepperedmewithquestions.AsI
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