Note: The photos from this post can be found on Chad’s Photostream
This website title is no joke. Ghana makes ya sweat! As in sweat running down your back, your chest, your neck, your brow. Everybody sweats. Have I mentioned it’s HOT in Ghana? Last night we gave up on mosquito netting – it is stifling. I busted out the insect spray and hoped for the best. (fyi – we all take antibiotics to prevent malaria).
This has been such a culturally rich experience. Traipsing around after Chad is entertainment in and of itself. Since he is learning to speak Ewe he is a double-whammy-novelty here. The Lumana group are the only white folks around for several villages. Then here comes Chad conversing in their language. Whenever he stops to talk (which is often) and starts to speak Ewe, a crowd gathers. Everyone smiles and nods and laughs. They are all so delighted. Plus he is carrying around his amazing camera (I call it “the baby”). Almost everyone wants a picture taken. The little kids strike these funny poses for the camera. Then everyone has to see their picture in the screen. I am going to get his photos on a thumbdrive and have a bunch developed and send them back with Sammie in March. An actual photo would really be treasured here.
Friday we went up to the road to Dzita (pronounced Geeta) where it has been washed away. We would say it’s where the road ends. The Ghanaians say it’s were the sand begins. We came to a village of huts with grass roofs and could hear some drums. Chad peeked his head around the opening and we were invited in. The Ghanaians are very hospitable and they brought out a short wooden bench for us to sit on. There were 2-3 different drums, some wooden blocks, a piece of metal with a screw driver clankin’. Women were singing and dancing and we were surrounded by all ages. My mouth hurt from grinning after awhile. A couple of the women got Chad to dance then I gave it a try too. Papa Skeers declined gracefully. Before we left the oldest matriarch got Chad up again and really busted out some moves. Chad kept up like a native. It was so much fun. We took one picture – it is considered impolite to take photos without asking first or being invited, so a bunch of group shots would have been rude.
Other random observations: the egg yolks here are almost white. Probably because the chickens just scratch around on dirt and bugs. Not a lot for those free-range chickens here! Some people dye their chicks to identify them. It’s hilarious! Chad chased blue chicks around the other day to get a good picture. Fat is associated with wealth here. Dad and I were walking down the street and he was wearing an unbuttoned shirt (have I mentioned it’s HOT here?) and one of the men said “I like your stomach” to Dad! He is considered a “Big Man” in more ways than one. If you are carrying around anything (groceries, shoes, whatever) it needs to be covered. Everything you buy is placed in a black plastic sack. I guess it is considered a privacy thing so you don’t walk around showing your goods.
Today we go to Ho with Bridgette to see her sister Felicia. Another day – another adventure – another sweat-fest. Have I mentioned it’s HOT here????