Barka Da Sallah !

Fasting is meant to teach a person patience, sacrifice and humility. I didn't fast and I haven't learnt any of those things, but I sure joined in on the feast afterward!

The Islamic holiday of Eid ul-Fitr marks the end of the fasting period that is Ramadan. This was celebrated around the world today by Muslims and non-Muslims alike, as I have learnt. There is a city further north, Ngaoundere, that holds an especially colorful festival to mark the occasion. But mostly, family and friends visit one another after the morning communal prayers, sit and lie on the big carpet to chat and enjoy the feast and company. My very hospitable Muslim colleagues invited agnostic me along with our Catholic maid Nicole, her little one and her boyfriend, and we paid visit to the two households. What a thoroughly enjoyable day with plenty of food, cultural exchange and laughter. They were surprised and delighted that I ate every type of food that was prepared. I love food too much to not give everything a try.

Also, it is only the right thing to do as a guest unless you're honestly allergic to something. Nicole later told me she once invited to her home a friend who brought along a French guy, and she had made a lot of food. Consider the fact that people have little money, then spend most of it buying food and preparing something special to welcome guests for a nice evening. Not like they even eat very funny things in this part of Cameroon; don't the French eat all kinds of stuff, anyway? In any case, he had an arrogant attitude and stuck to a bottle of water. On someone who has little contact with foreigners, he has thereby effectively left a bad, lasting impression. On behalf of THE WEST! For the lose!
West 0 - 2 East. Let's keep score.

Africa, not paradoxically, is where West meets East. I'm not referring to the Cold War, nor am I talking about economic influence; and by 'East', I actually mean the Middle East. Christianity and Islam have long taken over Africa. For the most part, missionaries triumphed over existing beliefs. Whether or not that's so wonderful is open to debate. But before anyone shouts, "It's not very hard! The poor convert more easily" and starts listing the drawbacks, there is one (dis)advantage I'd like to point out: more holidays.

It's good to be diplomatic, so it's good to be agnostic. An atheist, on the other hand, is sure that all religions are wrong. An atheist may also think the world would be much better off if there were no religions at all. And that's just too.. provocative. Because an agnostic can say, "I’m not sure, I don't know. Maybe I need some time and convincing." That way, you can make no enemies, religion-wise. Only friends. Indigenous beliefs continue to exist in Cameroon, but the Christian community is very big. The Muslim one: not small, either. Today being Eid ul-Fitr was a major holiday and no one went to work or school. The country was similarly unproductive on Assumption Day. Nicole is already looking forward to hosting Christmas Dinner. Living here, I will be celebrating Jesus as much as Muhammad. Now, if that isn't diplomatic!



Liang, I have a question: Do you hug trees? I'm asking for a friend, a girl, who is neopagan, likes environmental science, and hugs trees