The first month of 2013 finds us in Kumasi, Ghana. We were joined by Amy this month, requiring a short, memorable stay at Osda House in Accra with a side trip to nearby Tema where Bob went to school forty years ago. Also this month: garden harvests, the dusts of Harmattan, a new Spot picture, shopping, farm animals, dining with friends, rice fields and a dead cobra.
CASA KUMASI
Amy harvests beets. Bob shows off some of his bean harvest. For a little tour of our downstairs flat and more garden, goat and chicken pictures, please click on Casa Kumasi
OSDA HOUSE EXTENDS A WARM WELCOME TO AMY
Bob picked right when he reserved us four nights in a two bedroom flat at Osda House in Accra. We felt pampered and spoiled by the rich landscaping and happy hospitality shown us by Yaa Dorothy and Seth. It was the perfect way to welcome Amy to Africa! More photos from our home-away-from-home at Osda House
THE BIG PINEAPPLE
We made the most of our time in Accra a.k.a. The Big Pineapple. Indeed, the streets seemed so orderly and clean in comparision with Kumasi we felt as if we were in New York City! The highlight of our short stay were a delicious lunch at Auntie Rachel’s home with her brother Bill and his wife Patricia, friend Ruth and daughter Brenda. We enjoyed dinner out with Tim and Carol and on another evening, with the rest of the Waste Enterprisers’ gang shown here. We went on a hunt for Bob’s childhood home and found his old neighborhood. We shopped for crafts and even wandered into the Accra Mall. For more please go to The Big Pineapple
CHILDHOOD MEMORIES
As far as Camille was concerned, the whole reason for moving to Ghana was to connect with Bob’s childhood. Although Bob’s family lived in Accra, he went to school in nearby Tema and played in the neighborhoods where all his classmates lived. We took advantage of our trip to Accra to explore Tema. Bob stands in front of Dee’s childhood home and plays on the terrazzo giraffe which he last climbed forty years ago. Please check out the rest of these photos on Memory Lane, Tema
FS2BD JANUARY 2013
Not too much happening on the work front because of the holidays. Bob put up a hammock and joined a tour of the abattoir and charcoal plant hosted by friend Andreas and (not shown) had some tables made to use as desks at the plant. More on FS2BD January 2013
AMY’S FIRST VISIT TO THE LARGEST MARKET IN WESTERN AFRICA
We found ourselves deep into the crowded aisles of the 10,000 vendor Central Market once again. Eric shepherded us up to the overlook and textile section to purchase fabric to use for curtains.
ON THE TRACKS
For the first time we walked down the defunct railroad line where we purchased a big bag of hibiscus (sobolo) for only five cedis. This we use to make a gingered drink called Zinger. We saw lots of juju, including mumified chameleon carcasses, bones, feathers and herbs.
HOUSEWARMING
We three Trouts spent a nice evening helping Kat and Agye’s break in their new flat. The aforementioned Zinger goes nicely with gin, tonic and lime. And good friends go nicely with everything!
FINE FURNITURE
Our neighbors continue to make fine use of their collection of wooden benches and rescued chairs.
RECHARGING
We have a few more comforts thanks to Amy, Jeremy and Justin who all recently flew in from the great beyond. Amy brought hammocks, the hands-down best way to recharge personal energy levels. Jeremy brought home a backpack equipped with removable solar array and Justin brought a delicious box of Mochi.
SUNDAY MORNING WALK
Another fine day Jan 27 Walking Through the Rice Fields
HARMATTAN
Before Justin’s return, the winds shifted and the word on the street was that Harmattan was over. Justin expressed his regrets at having missed this phenomenon and within a couple of days Harmattan returned with a vengeance. For most of the day, January 28th the wind blew dust and soot into the house with unprecedented force. Read more at Grit Storm.
TWO SPOTS
With the new year and a new set of housemates, we decided it was time to take a new Spot picture with Justin, Camille, Amy, Jeremy and Bob. If you look close you will see Spot under the giraffe in front of Jeremy. When walking to Atinga junction we pass another spotted zebra on the pink wall of a neighborhood elementary school.
RADVILLE ON THE LAST DAY OF THE MONTH
Nadville is a great little store within walking distance. Read Camille’s account of how she discovered Nadville in her post, Radville and enjoy photos Bob took of our commute there and back at Shopping at Nadville
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THIS MONTH’S QUOTES:
“That’s why we feel so disoriented irritated even,when these touchstones from our past are altered. We don’t like it when our hometown changes, even in small ways. It’s unsettling. The playground! it used to be right here, I swear. Mess with our hometown, and you’re messing with our past, with who we are. Nobody likes that.” – Eric Weiner from his book, The Geography of Bliss”
(describing a happy person) “Such a man feels himself a citizen of the universe, enjoying freely the spectacle that it offers and the joy that it affords, untroubled by the thoughts of death because he feels himself not really separated from those who will come after him. It is in such a profound instinctive union with the stream of life that the greatest joy is to be found.” – Bertrand Russell
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Farm Animals.
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