The New Reality in My Neighborhood.

Steem greetings from “up country”, Bamenda-North West region of Cameroon where abnormalities have become normality. We have to accept our faith by succumbing to all threats by separatist fighters.

Living in fear because even in our quarters, there are separatist fanatics who are out to watch the neighbourhood to report those who are against the separatist fighters and those who are to watch what is happening around to report to our regular armed forces.

We live in a town where civil servants are not able to freely move around or go back to their villages in case of any incident that requires your presence. This is because your identity card indicates your profession and from your profession, separatist fighters can easily sort you out of a crowd. They are a target and some are kidnapped and killed because they failed to meet up with the huge amount requested for their being released from captivity.

^{At @nforyembe’s compound for the celebration of the death of his grandmother.}

Some families are unable to travel to their villages to bury their loved ones after their demise. This was the case of @nforyembe who lost his paternal grandmother. Because his parents were civil servants, they could not travel back to the village to pay their last respects.

They had to organise a ceremony in honour of their grandmother at their family residence in town. It was a Sunday and I had other commitments to meet up with before going to the celebration in the afternoon hours.

^{At the funeral celebration ground.}

It was actually an eating and drinking ceremony because Grandma was of age. The family gathering was to celebrate her life, though no more but it was worth celebrating with her grand and great grand kids.

^{Family photo all dressed in uniform, what is commonly called “ashuabi”}

After eating, drinking and dancing, it was now time for everyone to return back home. Remember our weeks of imposed lockdown are starting and on such days is good to be back home early enough to avoid being a victim of circumstance. Also given that the previous night we experienced serious gunshots.

^{At 6:30 PM and the roads were almost empty.}

We stood on the road for almost 30 minutes waiting for a cab. It was rush hour and on such days, the town was supposed tobe booming but it was not the case on this day. Everyone is scared of the unknown and to be on the safe side, be at home. We eventually took a bike back home and as a personal security measure, we dropped off the bike about 40 meters from our gate. This is because most of the bike riders now in town are hijackers and kidnappers.

While at home, I quickly took a warm bath and heated food for us to take our dinner. We decided to follow the UEFA Nations League between Spain and Switzerland. It was an interesting game but I could not watch it till the end as I was feeling exhausted from the day.

The Game between Spain and Switzerland.

Guys, it was indeed a fruitful day for me though tiring but was fulfilled after meeting up with all my schedules for the day. Until my next diary session, it is goodnight from my end. Our weeks of imposed lockdown begins today.