Cameroon by river and dream

My blog today is a bit surreal because I had a dream sequence last night that was so pleasant that I arose and sat down immediately to relate it before I forgot it. It was one of those dreams that seem to go on forever, and because it was so exciting I stayed in bed long after I intended to arise.

I should explain that I am deeply involved in Cameroon as the treasurer of a small charity that has operated there over the past 17 years. We have been principally concerned with providing high quality education in The Extreme North of the country. I last visited in 2000.

My dream was that I returned with a group to take an expedition to trace the footsteps of the Portuguese explorers who are responsible for the country's name.

In the 15th century those explorers accidentally discovered that the rivers of the country were teeming with shrimp. They called one of the rivers: Rio dos Camaróes, or Shrimp River. This translated to Cameroon river in English, and Cameroun in French. The name has continued unto today.

In my dream I arrived in the country at Douala airport. Douala is located on the Southwest corner and serves as the country's economic capital and its chief seaport. In the market I bought a cored out tree which would be a two-person boat. We then boarded a train that would take us through jungle to the end of the line in the high plateau town of Ngaoundéré located in Adamouwa province. From there we would float downstream through the rivers Ntem, Nyong, Sanaga, and into the Wouri, back to Douala.

Once we entered the river we were totally committed because the rivers run through jungle that is teeming with wildlife, and that included colonies of pygmies who live completely isolated lives. My dream was free from any tragedies, and I could even smell the rivers as I slept.

For many years there has taken place the most extraordinary ritual performed by a man who has befriended a pod of hippos. The man walks out to meet them and takes them food. As gently as can be the hippos receive this food without making the mistake of taking him as well. I can only hope that he survives unto today. In my dream he was at his post as we slipped silently on past, observing this incredible sight.

We had no problem in finding the source of the name of the country as the rivers were all alive with shrimp. However, in real life I am allergic to shell-fish, so this was a case of shrimp, shrimp all around and nothing for me to eat.

When I finally awoke I was surprised and disappointed to find myself in bed. Normally our dreams are not remembered once we awake, but this was just too damn good not to commit to the written word.

This has been special to me as I have the feeling that my ancestors came from this very country, located on the West coast of Africa where a number of slaves were brought across the Atlantic. Maybe the takeaway from this dream is for me to make a return to my ancestral home soon.

When I do that I will record the experience in my blogs, of course.

Copyright (c) 2016
Eugene Carmichael