Please excuse grammar, spelling, etc.
Day 7 Our driver picked us up at 9 (the same one we had on day 4). My dad had a few things he needed to pick up before we headed to the airport. ... Other things of note. People waiting for a bus stand randomly along the road. There are no bus stops (as far as I can tell). When a bus (van) approaches, they motion that they are waiting for a ride. The vans are usually filled to capacity and beyond. Everyone has a mobile phone. ... We have been to Accra Mall three times now. Store security wanted to take my bag. I wasn't comfortable with that, so I wait for my dad and our driver on a bench outside the store. My sister and her family arrived at 11:30. Thinking they would take awhile at the airport we came back to the house in East Legon to wait. When we arrived at the airport shortly after 12 they were already outside. The girls ran to me. It was nice to get hugs for Livia and Laurel. I went back to the house with Qwami (sp) the driver, my sister and the kids. My dad and Adam waited for my dads friend Francis to arrive with his truck. Francis had to go back to work, so he took Adam and my dad along with the luggage to the house in New Jerusalem. The rest of us waited at the house in East Legon. Traffic was heavier than before so it took awhile for the round trip. The kids played in the backyard and I finished my book. After about an hour of waiting my sister, the kids, and I went to the Golden Tulip for lunch. This time I had an appetite so was able to eat more food. We decided on the buffet. We finished lunch just as my dad and Adam arrived. They ate while we went to a park on the grounds. I hadn't noticed it before, but the kids sure did. My sister wasn't feeling well, so she went in to be out of the sun. She later got sick. By this time Moris arrived and we were off to the house in New Jerusalem. Qwami (the driver), my dad, Livia, Liam, and I went in one car. Moris, Adam, Ivy, and Laurel in the other. It was a long ride. Traffic was still heavy. I told Livia she would fall asleep. She didn't believe me. At one point I asked Liam if he was tired. He said no. 10 minutes later he was asleep. Livia also succumb to sleep, but not without a fight. She laid on my lap. Closed her eyes. Opened her eyes two minutes later, smiled, and sat up. A few minutes later she was back on my lap. We arrived at the house about 10 minutes later. A short time after we arrived my uncle Emmanuel (Kofi) and his wife Saviour (my moms side) stopped by the house. ... The buzzing is gone! Some men came today while we were gone and worked on the power. ... All are asleep save one. I am listening to Q: The Podcast. I brought Jian Ghomeshi with me. Day 8 4:30 wake up call from Laurel. She opened the door to my room (Livia and I are roommates tonight). I invited her in. She came and jumped into bed with us. I told her to go back to sleep. Laurel rolled around for a bit (I'm not sure how long). Livia had enough and went to Liam's room (Laurel and Liam were sharing a room). Laurel then got up and went to her parents room. I fell back asleep until 9 or so. But not without being woken up a few times by the kids making noise in the kitchen/living room. ... I went for a walk with Adam, Liv, and Laurel. We stopped and looked at a church. Then on our way back two woman were sitting by a stand selling food. One of them was very excited to see the girls and came and shook our hands. She asked where we were from, we said Canada. Then told her we were just on a walk. She asked who my father was. I said 'Christian Dz..' She got very excited and hugged me. I asked her name. Deborah (sp?). Then she proceeded to fill two bags full of potatoes, oranges, plantain, and a few other things, gave the bags to Adam and told me to tell my dad she would stop by later in the evening. "Is your dad going to be ok with this?", Adam whispered. We told her we did not have money, she told us not to worry about it. We went on our way. Not five minutes after we got back, Deborah and the other woman were at the gate. I guess she could not wait until evening. My dad met Deborah last year. She immediately knew the relation as she says we look a lot alike. My cousin Rita is here. My sister and her are cooking. ... I went for a nap at either 1:30 or 2:30 and woke up at 5:30. I am hungry. Rita is still in the kitchen cooking. The kids are outside. ... Two more guests came over. Colins and Bright (male). They are cousins as well. (They came over yesterday morning with my uncle Emmanuel. We were headed to Accra to pick up my sister. It happened so fast. I don't even remember the meeting). One is in electrician school, the other is in school for visual arts. Tomorrow my sister and her family are going to their house to visit. I might go a funeral with my dad. ... The kids are wiped. They have been going, going, going since 6 or 7 this morning. ... A house down the road is lit within and music flowing out.
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Please excuse grammar, spelling, etc.
Day 5 A lizard was sitting outside my dad's bedroom yesterday morning. I remained calm. Got my camera. Took a picture. And left the scene immediately. I have yet to see him again. ... Nothing exciting to write about today. Woke up around 9:30. Read outside for most of the morning into the afternoon. I downloaded The Great Gatsby a couple of weeks ago. I started reading it on this trip. I'm loving it so far. I have two versions (both free). I'm not sure if there is much difference between the two or if I'll read the second version. Later in the afternoon my dad and I walked to the 'station'. It was a 10 minute or so walk in the hot sun. Much hotter than yesterday. The station is a street with stores set up on both sides. As we entered the area a herd of cows was migrating along the street. Taxis and other passers by had little patience. Honking for the cattle to move, weaving in and out until they were no longer in the way. The first store we went to did not have what my dad was looking for. We headed further down the street. The house is set up with North American outlets and he was looking for a power bar. He decided to buy a power bar with standard prongs. He then cut off the end and re-wired it once we got home. Guests were waiting for us when we got back. My cousin Rita and her kids. We sat outside for a bit. She asked a few questions, but mostly talked with my dad. Her kids were pretty shy. All but the little one. He is 6 and behaved like most kids his age. The constant buzz has returned. The power was off for much of the day. I'm not sure how I sleep with the constant beeping, some how it lulls me to sleep. After awhile it fades into the background. Day 6 We passed through Afienya on our journeys today. This is the nearest town to us. New Jerusalem, where we are, is a sub-division of Afieyna. Along the way we passed a monkey sanctuary and saw a few along the road. We might go back when my sister arrives. Our first stop was my uncle George's house in Akuse. There I met two of my cousins, Precious and Joshua. We only stayed a few minutes as Joshua has the chickenpox. We are unsure if I have the chickenpox and did not want to risk an infection. We then travelled to where uncle George's wife works. I sat outside while my dad went to the bank. Mabel sells fabric. A few stores over is a woman who sews clothes. She came over to buy some fabric. They discussed a recent lease increase. One which no one can afford, but will be forced to pay. Apparently if you own a shop across the street, you pay much less. Next stop - Volta River Authority, Kpong Generating Station. This is where my uncle works. We were given a tour, then went on our way to lunch. Lunch was at the Maritime Club. From our seats we watched as two European women went sea-dooing and men worked at a fish farm. After lunch we headed to the water treatment plant were I met my cousin, Thomas. He knew me as a baby and remembered me right away. He could not believe I am 33. Neither can I. Next stop - another Volta River Authority plant in Akosombo. This one was much bigger than the first. Water from this plant is fed to the small one in Kpong. We didn't have much time, so we forwent an official tour and walked around outside. After the plant we headed home, but not before we stopped at a shop so my dad could inquire about a satellite dish. I fell asleep much of the way home. Please excuse grammar, spelling, etc.
Day 3: Woke up around 10. I am still quite tired from the trip. But that doesn't say much as I am always tired. I tried to read for a bit, but fell asleep on the couch. At noon I ate yam and stew. Nothing new, although this is not the yam you are likely thinking of. Sweet potato and yam are often mistaken for each other. The stew was full of pepper and meat. I avoided the pepper. It is a nice day. Breezy. I have been sitting outside and reading for most of the day. Mosquitoes are scarce. The malaria carrying females come out at night. I think my stomach has finally settled. I haven't been doing well on the anti-malaria medication. Today is a good day. ... My uncle George stopped by. I slept for most of the afternoon while my dad and uncle George tidied up the house. He will stop by another day. I plan to be more alert. I went outside this evening. It is cold (by North American standards). The little girl who greeted me last night, was quite shy all day. This evening she let me sit by her. ... Tomorrow we will do some 'site seeing'. Day 4: We headed out at 10am. The drive into the city is an hour or so. As we were leaving the area, to my delight there were some cows near by. I was able to get a couple pictures before we headed off. At this time we also saw Doris, the woman who is living on the property. She was on her way to work - selling her goods (foodstuffs). A couple things I noticed on the way: most if not all billboards are in English, vendors are everywhere (along the highway, in between cars, you name it), helmets and seat beats seem to be an option. Our first stop was a museum, named after Dr Kwame Nkrumah. He was sworn in as the first president of the Republic of Ghana in Accra July 1, 1960. Next we headed to a market. I had my first taste of fresh coconut juice - more bitter than sweet. Walking around we were constantly being asked to 'come look', in hopes we would buy something. One fellow took us all around. I'm sure he thought I was an easy sell. Before getting out of the car my dad told me if I like something to wait and get a local to buy it. Otherwise they will overcharge. A few things peaked my interest and maybe we will go back. We drove by the catholic cathedral, the national stadium, kids playing football (soccer) in a field. A homeless man sleeping on the road in front of a beach front hotel 'La Palm Beach Hotel' (4 star hotel), military academy, and more. We stopped for lunch at La Beach (the nearby town is called La). While we waited for lunch, we were approached many times to buy jewellery, clothing, etc. Many items are the same or similar to items I already have at home (souvenirs from family). You can also take a horseback ride along the beach. I opted out. And took a picture instead. Lunch eventually came. Jolloff (rice) and chicken - I have had this many times at home. After the beach we headed to my dad's friends house. Francis was not home. But I met his wife. She smiled a lot and said 'you are welcome'. Before returning home we stopped at the mall so my dad could pick up a few things. I think I fell asleep for a few minutes in traffic. We arrived home at 5:30pm. The gate was opened for us upon our arrival. I came around the house to see Kersia (the little girl) squatting to have a pee in the dirt. ... The water (hot) was turned off today, so tonight I boil water to have a shower. |
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