The Bandjoun nomad

As I was about to leave Munich behind (read how I got to this point ), I still remember very clearly boarding that 8pm Flixbus. I also distinctively remember thinking about whether I would ever come back to this lovely city. A few days prior, I had such a good time with a church friend taking me out for dinner and telling me all the wonderful things there is to do in Munich, and it was too bad that I had to leave so soon.  This is Kai, the warm-hearted brother who took a chance on me and imprinted such a love for Munich and its amazing food. This was (and still is) one of my favourite dishes. Käsespätzle (german version of Mac and Cheese). At this point, I hadn't thought through the journey ahead. The only thing I knew was that a plane or train ticket was too expensive and I needed to keep a tight belt on how much I spend.  The only thing I decided to do was buy enough snacks and drinks that will allow me to sustain my journey until I reached Lisbon. I knew we will have a few ...

It was a normal working day on a hot and usually dusty afternoon in Yaounde when I got the call to come and collect my Visa for my upcoming trip to Italy. I was elated. It had been 17 years since I had last seen my foster aunts and cousins. I was beside myself.  I distinctly remember my trip back to wish my father goodbye and how emotional I was because I knew that somehow I will not see him for a long while. I remember the bus trip back to Yaounde and how surreal it all felt (especially since there was a job interview lined up in Munich).   Me on the bus (in the middle of nowhere) on my way back to Yaounde. Clearly I was too excited to sleep (like someone next to me). I was already missing my lovely Cameroon. On the news, the coronavirus (covid-19) was beginning to show its ugly head in Italy and various other neighbouring countries. My aunt even told me to postpone my trip, but it was too late. I was already packed. Don't mess with a black man and his luggage! Me, mysel...

Paid a visit to a slave museum in Mercado Dos Escravos, Lagos, Portugal. Although it's clear they tried to not be too gruesome with artifacts but rather more informative on town history and Negro assimilation, this picture struck me to the core. The African/black man/woman WAS and still IS in bondage. Bondage of the mind (self-hatred) and of the body (racism). Bondage of poor access to healthcare, housing, sanitation and job opportunities. The reflection of the chains (in this picture) symbolizes a foreshadow of its impact on our children and probably our children's children. A museum will NEVER fix that. There's so much atrocities in this world. Most of them are rationalized and institutionalized so it's negative connotations is removed (through legal jargon) or plainly ignored (through our silence). Self-reflection on one's actions in this world must be mandatory. An appreciation of the beauty of ALL mankind MUST be imprinted in our minds. "We are fearfully a...

April 2005. We were young and wild. The world and our responsibilities in it was a foreign concept. We lived for the moment. This was campus church team-building camp, where we got to let go our insecurities and just try your best. Just. Your. Best.  Somehow, that concept is so complicated to grasp and practice. We care too much about the outcome and don't focus on the process. Life will have muddy puddles and hanging ropes. Focus on the process. And remember there's always someone else going through the same thing. Reach out. You might just make a lifelong friendship. More photos:

The last couple of months have been, for a lack of the better word, life-changing. I know that such words as "flash-of-light", "out-of-body experience", "life-changing" are often thrown in conversations to get attention on yourself. But I honestly believe my life trajectory and priorities have taken a "left-turn" in the last few months. Above all, the last few months, I got to start filling the empty hole that I didn't want to admit was part of my life: knowing my roots. Visiting and staying at the places where my ancestors grew up, from both sides of my family, was an enriching experience. Getting to connect with cousins, uncles, aunts and elders have been both overwhelming and enthralling. Being away from my family has reinforced my commitment to them to strive to always be the best version of me. I've learned for the first time, a family is not where you find people that look like you but rather people who just want ...

Hi all, It's a good morning from the 2nd of January of 2019. A lot of things are on the horizon. I'm looking forward to working with influencers throughout the African continent such as Tanzania, Kenya, and Mozambique. Unfortunately, the behind-the-scenes cracks of such economies were glaringly obvious in 2018. The regressive policies of some governments make it very difficult to see how technology, which is inherently unbiased, can co-exist in a biased, homophobic society. The article http://atavist.mg.co.za/africa-for-pessimists-and-optimists-2018-in-review , published by Mail and Guardian sheds light into some of the concerns all interested in the wellbeing  Africa should take note of. The article is explicit in forming a picture that clearly shows there's a lot more work to be done than what meets the eyes. But one should see such problems as unexplored opportunities. I believe this continent can make sustainable changes for the benefit of all its citizens. Let's al...