Flights, boats, trains, walks … I started travelling in my early childhood with my parents. At only four years old, I was among the passengers of the first commercial flight to take off from a Cameroonian airport. The pilot invited me to see the cabin. What a wonderful, unforgettable day, for my young self! I loved flying so much that I imagined myself travelling across countless borders. They say the Universe will repay us if we know how to ask properly. In my case, it worked. After I got married, I continued travelling with my husband. Extensively. Globe- trotters, we see ourselves as citizens of the world.

The travel virus has no antidote. I have a nomad’s heart, a calling, a longing, a consuming passion, sometimes an obsession, other times a need to live in the present intensely and totally and, above all, a desire to learn as much as possible from what I experience. But at the same time, every journey is an introspection where I find, come to terms with, restructure and transform myself, where the primary destination is myself. All these have made me a more complete, I hope, deeper, more empathic and tolerant person.

In a foreign country, I use my time to discover, feel, understand, contemplate and meet the native people. I love to bring back to my African home, Bangoulap, a part of its essence – be it a species of plant, a song, a braiding or house-building technique, a style of farming, or the simple and profound joy of living in communion with nature. There’s always an exchange between my soul and the souls of the places I visit. But the most important thing is the ontact with the people, the joy of meeting them, the feeling of finding old friends. I am equally seduced by an elderly person ready to share their modest dinner as I am by the exceptional lines of marine or celestial inspiration imagined by a famous architect.

Far for me to turn myself into a local guide. But here are some experiences, memories and emotions I gathered from the countries I visited. The sights, sounds, smells, and textures that vibrate in my heart and that I wish to pass on to you. Or the small objects, pearls, and textiles I have safeguarded and kept together.