Setting Out I arrived in Cameroon and set out to find Lake Edib. It took me five days. T e first three days were spent on a motorcycle- taxi, wheeling through red mud. At the end of the road was the small village of Muambong. It was my last chance to have a hot meal before heading into the bush. My guide was chosen by the village chief.


T e young man insisted I call him Star Boy. Together, we made plans for the trek. We resupplied and purchased ground cassava, sugar, and peanuts. T at’s all the food that was available.


T at night, the chief invited me for a


traditional feast. We ate the tribe’s most popular meal. It is called Mpoop. It’s made by mixing plantain flour with tadpoles. T e mixture is pounded into a paste. T en it’s wrapped in a leaf. It’s steamed until it turns into a pudding-like ball. I had my doubts about Mpoop but


wanted to show my respect to the chief. When I finished my plate, he exclaimed, “You must love Mpoop, Mr. Joe! Let me help you to some more.” Lucky me! More Mpoop was scooped onto my plate.


Two of Cameroon's crater lakes lay side by side.


PATHFINDER 21


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