shock cycle

I was given a paper written by some social scientist called "culture shock" a few days ago. Apparently, every traveller experiences distinct levels of euphoria, rejection, improvement, and normalization in relation to new environs. its supposed to be a gradual change over about a four month period (normalization comes at the four month period, which means that my heart will still belong to minnesota, having failed to reach Cameroonian normalization). However, I seem to be experiencing these cycles every day. I wake up to either the neighbor's call to prayer or my host family's catholic singing and praying. That is a not bad way to wake up. then i take a really cold shower that makes me say aaahaaaaughhhhhahhh really softly as i splash myself with icy water. this is also just fine.

I walk to school smoking cigarettes because i think its a bit rude to smoke in front of all the babies at my host family house. these morning cigarette constitutionals are peerless. when i get to school i generally talk to my peers. these encounters with the other students are generally free of anything terrible and sometimes mildly pleasant. class happens at this point of the day: french, CMR history, CMR development, and research methods. lunch is also a regular occurence. i usually go to a boulangerie that sells really inexpensive fancy bread foods. i also buy juice on account of the lack of vitamin c. i also take this oppurtunity to read the newspapers. they often talk about the corrupt government and what Biya is currently doing about it. on a side note, Biya has an unknown number of homes, actively changes laws to his and his cadres benifit, is usually out of the country and has been called africa's most corrupt politician. he is the one in charge of rooting out corruption. a good deal of french has been spoken (badly by me) at this point in the day. after lunch, i at times start feeling bitter about my experience. the water is cut most of the time in the day (supplied by an IMF restructuring agreement) and the sun is really hot. my peers, i think, follow a similar daily pattern. so, they start talking about this and that cultural difference and this or that terrible assignment. the culture shock cycle is at a low point.
In the afternoon, we either take a tour of some sort in town or we are visited by a politician or teacher. we learn about gender differences and colonial history. if we are in town, we experience alternatives to western urbanism, education, and bartering. these things make me think again. it is different here, and that is something that Ive only ever thought about before rather than experienced. for example, when i encounter something strange/new, is that a unique occurence or is it a cultural phenomenon? i go home and talk to tons of strangers along the way. That is different and not at all bad. when i get home, everyone runs up and asks familiar questions and shares a meal. (my current favorite is called Okok with bobolo.)

so i guess that is my daily cycle.

also, some random stuff:
-the shift key is smaller here so its hard to capitalize
-there is no spell check
-coke (coca) is much better tasting
-gender roles are distinct but changing in observable ways in almost every sphere
-there is a pink beer called tango that tastes like strawberries and beer.
-80 percent of employment in CMR is informal
-bad romance is a very popular song
-celine dion is very popular with the youngsters