Hello,
My name is Andre Gwet aka Kila Gwet. I am currently (late February 2014) in Canada but was born and raised in Makak, some 80 km south of Yaounde, Cameroon nation's capital. Moreover, I recently spent 28 straight months in Yaounde, Douala, and Limbe; I plan to return to Cameroon soon. Douala is Cameroon's economic capital and largest city. Located on the Atlantic Ocean side, Limbe is in the English-speaking Southeast province where National Refining Corporation (SONARA) is headquartered. The Northwest is the second and last English speaking province out of ten with Bamenda as capital.
Cameroon has long been referred to as Africa in miniature; the reason is that it has all types of vegetations, climates, and peoples that one can find throughout Africa. Its population is by far the most tolerant (in all respects) that I have seen after visiting over 25 countries worldwide 聳 tolerance with respect to religion, race, ethnicity, etc. Don't expect tolerance to homosexuality here (or anywhere in Africa with few exceptions.) All large cities have unsafe zones, especially at night. In Cameroon however, two "white" females may be by themselves at a bar in a low-income area of Yaounde the nation's capital and not even draw attention. Typically local individuals who might have intensions of mistreating foreign visitors or expatriates would not dare do that because they know that vigilante justice would swiftly and vigorously protect the guests and even retaliate on their behalf.
Generally, I have found the ability of the population in French-speaking areas to express itself in English to have diminished significantly compared to the 1980s and 1990s. As in most African countries south of the Sahara, Cameroon's population is very young (about 67% being 19-20 years old or younger), highly-educated, industrious, but with very high unemployment and underemployment rates. The country is peaceful despite complaints about many problems that may be considered unjustified in view of great human resources and seemingly unlimited potential in all respects. Be ready to have your own independent water well or access to one, even in the largest city; apparatus to sanitize water if you cannot afford bottled water (for drinking) at all times; stockpile bleach for various usages; have at least a small generator for powering light bulbs and computers.
Make sure you take the right malaria treatment at least once a month for several months before eventually extending the periodicity of treatments; don't take this as medical advice: talk to a local doctor even if you got recommendations from western doctors. Keep large enough quantities of malaria medicine at all times including for years after leaving Cameroon and Africa for the west.
Affordable Internet connections (CFA F 30,000/month) are too slow; more expensive connections (CFA F 45,000-60,000/month) barely have an acceptable speed. Ask around before selecting an Internet Service Provider; if nobody is available to help, first ask about Creolink () and Ringo (http://www.ringo.cm/); know what you want instead of expecting accurate information from the Internet vendors. Get cell phone numbers from all major mobile phone companies: Orange, MNT and Camtel (CTPhone.) You may want to purchase a local phone capable of having two SIM cards.
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