Gracy's Cafeteria

In the last few days, I've become a regular at Gracy's. The restaurant is about 10' x 15', with 2 long tables. Laminated placemats are tacked to the entire tabletops, half of which say "Jesus Loves You" and half "Breakfast." The menu is limited. Omlettes and fries. Omlettes and fried plantains. Omlette sandwiches. You get the picture. There's egg, plantains, bread and potatoes. That's about it. My regular lunch in Bamenda, Cameroon. Costs about $1.25 to eat there.

There's a guy on the street who always says, "There goes my future wife," most likely to any gringa who walks by. And the guy sitting next to me in the cyber cafe just gave a fine rendition of "O, Christmas Tree," even thought it's September and the rainy season.

In Mali, tea was the social drink, elaborately poured and served. Here in Cameroon, it's beer. Or as the menu at Gracy's lists, "bear."