Tomorrow?

We finally have our shower fixed! For those of you wondering, I think tomorrow in Ghana talk=about 8 days! But hey, it works, can’t complain!

We apparently have breakfast included in our price of our stay, who knew? Advice: When travelling in Ghana obtain very specific information as to what is included, because it’s likely they might not tell you!

So far I like most things about Ghana. People are nice, life is relaxing and generally stress/rush free. But one thing I dislike is the burning of Garbage-or more specifically the smoke that comes wafting into the bedroom in the early hours of the morning. It makes you really appreciate the pick up at the door garbage/recycling service that we have in Calgary!




On Monday we went on yet another grocery shopping adventure. This time, both taxi and driver left much to be desired-including knowledge on how to get to where we were going! At one point he seemed angry with me for not knowing where to go, when clearly we are not from Accra! After threatening to get out of the car and find a different taxi, he succumbed to asking for directions. Lesson learned, it’s not just a North America thing that men don’t like asking for directions!

Now going in the right direction, we turned onto a very busy street that brings to mind the Accra I experienced before. We moved inch by inch, and sellers walked up and down selling the most random items imaginable, including etch- a-sketch’s and screw driver sets. I must admit that I was very tempted to buy an etch-a-sketch to stop Ama’s wonderful wailing (she was saying what we all felt), as well as the mini soccer balls that went past. I restrained myself, which was a good thing since we nearly ran out of cash at the grocery store. It's a strange thing not having your mastercard to save you at any given moment.

For anyone visiting Accra, the MaxMart was a significantly more enjoyable (and cheaper) experience in Western style shopping than the Koala market. I even found some not outrageously priced diapers-hopefully Ama actually comes home potty trained!
We decided that since we weren’t actually that far we should walk home and take in the sights along the way. Fortunately Mom was wise on insisting we take our wonderful backpack to haul Ama in, who slept the majority of the walk home.





We are quite a site to the Ghanians who carry their little ones on their back using a sheet like cloth. They stare and smile and say something that sounds like surprised "hey?"

The walk back was interesting and mostly uneventful, besides the one fairly crowded part where a persistent beggar lady wouldn’t stop grabbing my arm-she then sent her 5ish year old to follow us. Not very pleasant-but harmless

We passed by a tro-tro station on the way home, which to a non-Ghanaian looked like a chaotic mess-the rules and happenings of the tro-tro system are something I look forward to learning...(Kate, Rachel, Barb-I hope you are having fond memories!) To anyone who hasn’t been to Ghana, a tro-tro is local transportation in the form of a big van, where the goal is to cram as many people in as possible (think big). Car pooler’s in Canada have a lot to learn...




On Wednesday we explored Osu (the touristy part of town) with 2 fellow Canadians. We ended up at Ryan’s Irish Pub (very UN-Ghanaian) for refreshments. Luckily we were the only one’s there, and Ama was able to play with “bo” the yellow lab who belongs to the owners. We the made our way to Tribes for dinner ocean side. I would definitely recommend this place! We shared some palava sauce and rice, which is a local and very tasty dish made from spinach and other tasty things. They also serve many dishes not from Ghana which also looked yummy.










I went to a school today, and it was an awesome experience-I will write more about it in a different post as this one is getting long and I am getting tired. Bye for now!

Love hurts

The past few days have been pretty relaxed and enjoyable, apart from Ama having some sleep issues at night. She has not yet discovered the concept of body heat, and wants to sleep 100% on top of me despite the 30 degree temperature! That’s love I tell you!

We've explored the neighborhood a bit more and been for walks. Ama just LOVES all the goats and chickens running around. I wonder what she'll think of monkeys and elephants!

To cool off from the heat and relax a bit we decided to check out a nearby pool that George the driver had recommended. For some unknown reason George took us to a different pool, at The Labadi Beach Hotel, but assured us it would cost the same-roughly 8 Cedis/person. We were delighted, briefly, as this was a very nice place.



When we went to pay, we discovered the price was nearly double that, but we decided to suck it up and pay. We had an excellent time, despite the fairly elitist atmosphere of the hotel. Ama seemed very content to play with toys and sit in the water, and for the first time in a week we felt cool! Swimming will be a regular weekend event, especially on those weekends where we stay in the city, but we will have to find a cheaper location.






This week I have started to familiarize myself with the Amend program, and met Kingsley, who delivers the program to the schools. He seems to be very nice and helpful, and went out of his way to buy me a cell phone (email if you would like the number) as it would cost more if I went to get it (figure that!). He also has a friend who might be able to watch Ama, which is great news!
This week should pick up for the work side of things, as Jeffrey the director arrives and school holidays end. I’m looking forward to getting started!

Two is trouble....
From Lorrie: managing a two year old is quite a challenge. She is fast, knows her own mind and is not open to reasoning but luckily she is mostly happy and well behaved as long as we feed her on time and she gets some rest. The harness is being used regularly and next time we venture to town centre, we plan to use the backpack so she is safer and up higher to see the many sights. Just like east Africa, Ghana shops are really shop fronts, outside on the sidewalk – even things like lingerie are hanging there and ready to be bargained for.

We said goodbye to the Ghanaian/Dutch family we met and spent some time with. They are doing work in Northern Ghana . It started out for them as mission work but ended up more providing services. So far they have started a nutrition centre and a school. Feel free to check out their website – Project Share. They have 2 adorable girls who came to play with Ama and her toys over the past 3 days. We learned lots about the town they live in and their way of life – kids tell you everything. They had the most interesting accents – mixed African, Dutch and British. While they were visiting Accra, they bought some furniture and other supplies not available outside a city and piled it all but the couch frame in their VW SUV . All the couch cushions and the lazyboy chair, luggage, kids, groceries, and who knows what else were jammed in our on top of their car, it was quite the mission to get packed up! Good thing they won’t be travelling at high speed.


Today we met a young couple from Canada who are here teaching fire fighting. She has malaria and is quite sick. We are taking them supper as since it is Sunday, not much is open around here, and they seem very greatful!

Looking forward to an interesting week-will fill you in later! Hoping to get more pictures of what Accra actually looks like-been too busy to take pictures!

Getting Settled

We have had a great couple of days here even though Miss Ama’s clock is still on Canadian time. We finally got our baggage on round 3 at the airport, and have settled in nicely at our apartment. It’s starting to feel semi home-like, and Ama now cries out “Ama house” when we arrive.






We had a very successful outing yesterday to change money and go shopping. George the driver was extremely friendly and helpful, although he did take us to the very expensive Koala market where we probably won’t shop much. I checked out the prices of such luxury items as diapers and cereal, 2 items we won’t be buying (small box of cheerio’s runs at 15 cedis=about 10 dollars).

Ama was a trooper yesterday and even made friends with two hilarious little Ghanaian-Dutch girls. She tuckered out while shopping and became quite the spectacle for fellow shoppers. We probably should not have let her nap, since she refused to sleep most of the night. She slept half the day away today, and will hopefully be on almost Ghanaian time by tonight.

Today was pretty relaxing. We ventured out for a walk around the neighbourhood, which is a different side of Accra than I had seen before. The streets were quiet, and are lined with huge luxury gated homes and the occasional embassy. We did see some international schools and a Montessori school that we may check out as possible child care options, and we have also gotten a few leads from the people here for childcare.

We went for lunch at Home Touch, which was a nice restaurant serving African food. We shared some Jollof rice and Kelewele (delicious fried plantains). Ama ate at least a third of the rice, which is an enormous portion of food! The price of the food was refreshingly low, and Ama was able to run around and play with the beaded curtains that surround the restaurant.






On the way home we bought a beautiful had made basket to store Ama’s toys, and Mom tried (unsuccessfully) to carry it on her head like a local woman. The ladies at the guest house at a very good laugh about this! The woman at the basket stand told us to watch out for men on motorcycles who occasionally rob people, which was well intended yet frightening advise that we will take note of.

Overall we are getting much more comfortable with being here. I am finally able to relax and enjoy our lovely deck and garden. I think Mom is even beginning to relax a bit, although it takes her longer! Our shower is still not fixed, which means that we have to have bucket showers. They said that it would be fixed tomorrow yesterday, but I suspect we will here tomorrow for several days or weeks. We still need to figure out basic things like laundry, cleaning, and what the giant blue bucket by the kitchen table with water in the bottom is for, but overall we are beginning to settle into our Ghana shoes quite nicely.









The above pictures are of our apartment and yard.

We made it!

It took 3 of us to get Ama and all the luggage to the airport check-in – many thanks to Marilyn for the ride and the assistance. The first leg of the trip to Amsterdam was tough – crowded plane, tight seating and increasingly tired travellers. That being said, the journey went far better than we anticipated. We were late arriving in Amsterdam so we had only time for a pit stop and the trek to our gate.

Amsterdam to Accra was significantly better – more room and Ama slept a good portion of the 6 hour journey. Interesting ride – lots of Africans visiting, standing around – a festive atmosphere and loud! When we got off the plane we were met with a wall of heat, at least 30C and unbelievably humid. I can’t believe I complained of the cold as the heat is at least as oppressive at first, but I’m sure we will get used to it soon enough!

Customs was total chaos, and poor Ama was not impressed about waiting the hour or so we stood in line. Big surprise-only half our luggage arrived. That was probably a blessing in disguise since the vehicle our hosts brought to take us to our apartment would never have held it all! So tonight Karen will return to the airport to collect the rest, while Ama and I avoid the chaos of the airport in the comfort of our balcony. Our apartment is fine – relatively clean and has the basics. By Canadian standards I am not sure it would rate any stars but it is secure (guard at the gate) and friendly. The best part is the large balcony off our apartment and the large yard that Ama can run around in.

There is also internet and AC in our apartment (for a daily/hourly charge) that we will have to restrain ourselves from using excessively!

Ama was up a great deal of the night since her body thought it was daytime and she was sweating like a beast, but we managed to get some sleep despite the crowing of roosters and the early morning sounds of Accra life. There is a dining room to buy meals if you don’t feel like cooking or if you have not changed your money yet and you cannot buy at a restaurant till you do! This afternoon we will get the driver to take us grocery shopping and to the FOREX so we can change money, and maybe the bank. Fun times!

Pictures to come, the cords for our cameras are still in Amsterdam!

See you later Canada!

In just under a week Ama and I will be temporarily saying goodbye to the freezer we call Alberta to spend 4 months in Ghana, West Africa. My wonderfully supportive mom will also be joining us for the first 5 weeks-Thanks Mom!




When I gave my daughter a Ghanaian name 2 short years ago, I did not think that we would be visiting the country any time soon! But here we are, almost ready to go, and the giant pile of stuff to pack that is taking over my apartment is making it feel very real.

Why am I going to Ghana? There are many very good reasons to visit Ghana, but I am going as part of the "teaching across boarders" option available to teaching students at the University of Calgary. This allows students to complete their last semester abroad, volunteering at a school or education-related institution while completing course work online.

I had mentioned this opportunity to my mom last year, and she gave me the necessary push to look into it further (trust me, I don't need much)! While in Accra during my last visit to Ghana, I met Jeffrey Witte, who is the director of the organization Amend. He has since been nice enough to take me on as a volunteer, and I am very excited to start!

www.amend.org

Amend works to prevent traffic related childhood injury in Ghana. Part of what they do is go out to schools and teach children about traffic safety, and I will be working with this program for the duration of my stay. I will expand on what that will actually look like at a later date, as I am not entirely sure yet (as with everything else)!

I think that this will be a fantastic opportunity on so many levels, and I am confident that we will fully enjoy ourselves and learn so much more than if I had decided to stay here in Calgary (no offense Calgary). Not all people fully understand this though, and I have received a wide variety of responses when telling people I plan to take my 2 year old to Africa.

Unfortunately, many people are completely horrified by the idea (thank you to those who think its great, or at least pretend), which is part of my motivation behind creating this blog. All you nervous folks can keep tabs on us, and know that we are just fine, and hopefully better! Perhaps I can even make you a little bit jealous along the way.

Don't worry everyone, I fully intend on bringing that little maniac home in one piece!