Field Notes from Douala, Cameroon

🌍 Preconceptions vs Reality: Packed half a suitcase of meds → Didn't even open the mosquito repellent Feared rampant malaria → Went 2 weeks without a single bite Customs "culture": +$80 fee for Chinese passports (later learned to play dumb) 🛣️ Survival Guide: • Language hack: "Bonjour" works 10x better than English • Local price secret: Say "Je suis resident" (I'm a local) for taxis • Safe zone: French cafés by the port at sunset (with WiFi!) 🍜 Chinese Food Rescue Map: Name Specialty Watch Out Soybean Sprout Market Lao Gan Ma 3x China price Frozen dumplings often expired Xinlong Hunan Cuisine Authentic Hunan chef Spicy enough to make locals chug water Green Town Sichuan Local sea bass for boiled fish Sichuan peppercorns often out of stock 💡 Epiphany: "The real danger in Africa isn't disease - it's the bill at Chinese restaurants!" #TravelTruthBombs #AfricaUnfiltered #CustomsHacks #PassingAsLocalInCameroon