Outfit of the Day: First Day of School

After three months, eight daylong train rides, two parental sightings, and one international holiday, “les longues vacances” (the long vacation) has ended, and the new school year has begun.

A brief sartorial note: Sure, sometimes it’s fun to go all out and wear a full Cameroonian ensemble (and my friends and neighbors love it), but most of the time I try to find a balance between the U.S. and Cameroon—call it practicing for the workplace back home. This outfit is a good example.

I bought this pagne on sale in Ngaoundere last October. In addition to the fabric for International Teachers’ Day (October 5), LaKing (the largest chain of pagne stores in Cameroon) was offering the 2013 Teachers’ Day pagne for only 4000 francs (about eight dollars), as opposed to 6500 francs for six yards. As I consider purple a sort of signature color—Lydia, one of the first European converts to Christianity, sold purple cloth to the wealthy—I snatched up a bolt. My friend and go-to tailor in village, Pepito, made this adorable pleated skirt with pockets based on a skirt I brought with me to Cameroon. And, as always, my knees are covered.

Ironically, the simple gray tee was left behind by the volunteer who preceded me. In addition to some furniture and kitchen supplies, she also left a few articles of clothing, all of which happen to fit me. Perhaps this is why, during my first few months at post, people would call me “Yasmine” even though I don’t have long brown hair and don’t speak fluent Fulfulde. Or maybe all white people look the same. Whatever.

I’m ashamed to admit that while planning my recent vacation in Barcelona, seeing my beloved father was only my third priority. The first was the abundance and variety of delicious food and drink that would be available, and the second was that I would have access to H&M for the first time in a year and a half. (Has it really already been that long?) I’m proud to say that I exercised some restraint during my little shopping spree, mostly because my only luggage was a backpack, but this cardigan was among my purchases. I’ve fallen prey to the equatorial climate, and am now of the belief that anything below 60 degrees Fahrenheit is frigid, so this cardigan has become indispensable to me.

And last but certainly not least, the Crocs. I will admit, back in the States, I was a hater, but since joining the Peace Corps, I have been converted. In a village that is alternately covered in mud and swept with dust, shoes that look somewhat professional and are easy to clean are a godsend. Highly recommended to anyone who is considering becoming a volunteer.

Thus, dressed for success, I walked into a classroom for the first time in almost four months. I introduced myself to my Terminale students (the equivalent of high school seniors), they introduced themselves, and together we wrote out our expectations for the year.