Everything is negotiable

What we have come to learn is that anything and everything can be bargained for in Cameroon. This concept, from what we been told, pertains to all of West Africa. In Younde and N'gaoundere this was most evident in the markets. These markets are wall to wall people selling fruit, clothing, shoes, used electronics, vegetables, meat, etc. It is the African equivalent of Wal-mart. The difference is bargaining! (For reference, 5000 Cameroonian francs, is roughly 10 dollars). Someone might say '10000' for the Cameroonian World Cup soccer jersey. You had better make a really low counter offer quickly, like say 3000. You say things like "the jersey isn't that great" or "i could get it somewhere else for 2500." These things may be considered rude in the states but here it is a lively conversation and intertwined in their culture. If you are really good, you can eventually get the jersey for 4000. Brent, being an amateur, paid about 5000 for his replica soccer jersey.


As a 'Nassara', or white person, people generally think they can take advantage of you; we learned this quickly. 'Nassara' is literally yelled at you by people as you pass. Sometimes, when yelled by chidren, it feels like you are a white celebrity walking by. Other times, when yelled by merchants, it is like they are putting a target on your back, essentially yelling "sucker!" when you walk by.

The door to door salesman is not dead in Cameroon. With little access to the internet, people aren't buying things off Ebay or Criag's list; they are buying it at their door. We have bought things at our door; which you can really haggle down the prices. We have bought mangos, onions, paintings, and souvenirs from salesman. Often times these are extremely cute children, which can often be endearing. Except, of course, when they constantly harrass you at 545 AM knocking on your window before you are at the hospital for 16 hours.

People even bargain for medical care. We have outpatient clinic every Monday and Thursday where we set up surgeries and treat a lot of non-surgical patients. I would say roughly 1/3 of clinic is going through the prices for surgeries; which are already ridiculousy low compared to the states. For example, a complicated orthopedic surgery in states could run you $30,000 or more. Here, you may get one for 150,000 CFAs (300 dollars).

So if you are heading to Cameroon, put your best haggling face on, and shop till you drop!

-Brent Brown