Nine months, two homes
Before and After
On our last full day in Ghana, both kids attended their final day of school, and many goodbyes were said. Osman cleaned our flat for the last time. Tracy and I spent the entire day packing, forcing Osman to work around us.
Catherine received a nice present from friend Jesse, a new backpack. And, we took a family photo on the patio prior to dinner at Coco Lounge. Interesting to compare today’s photo to its complement.
At dinner, we talked about highs, lows, and things we would do differently knowing what we know now. Here are our lists:
• Highs:
Catherine: Biggest highlight was making new friends. Both (a) banku and light soup at Samuel’s house and (b) rice balls were memorable foods. All trips were additional highlights.
Mark: This was a new, fun experience, living in a new place, being in a new culture, and experiencing new foods. Paragliding, attending a movie with the Calvin students, and the farewell celebration were all highlights.
Tracy: the visit to Zogga village and the World Vision site during January was a big highlight. Close behind were the funeral in Akropong, seeing the students flourish throughout the semester, and weekly meals at our flat. Other highlights included paragliding, the vibrancy of Ghanaian streets, the Ghanian love of life, and hospitable, warm, gracious, and fun loving people everywhere.
Matt: the biggest highlights were paragliding, the Akropong funeral, and the Ghana-Mozambique football match.
• Lows:
Catherine: saying goodbye to new friends.
Mark: cops and traffic.
Tracy: dealing with thefts at International Student Hostel and too many clinic visits with students.
Matt: cops and corruption.
• What we would do differently knowing what we know now:
Catherine: go paragliding.
Mark: set up the school situation better.
Tracy: ask more questions about schools and establish a different medical protocol for the Calvin program with the goal of reducing the burden on the director.
Matt: meet more engineers.
On the way home from dinner, we had one (hopefully final) encounter with the Ghanaian police force. This time I was definitely at fault for making an illegal U-turn. Thankfully, my International Driving Permit was in the glove box. Tracy had removed it this morning, but I remembered to get it shortly after departing the flat. We chose to fetch it before heading off campus. Sooooo glad we did!
—Matt
Farewells
Farewells and goodbyes are coming fast and furious.
Yesterday evening, Catherine, Mark, and I said goodbye to most of the remaining students.
Today, we said goodbye to Solly who washed our car faithfully each Monday. Chief-to-be Michael stopped at the flat this morning for a nice conversation. Katie departed at 2 PM for a tour of Europe.
We invited all members of Catherine’s class to Pinocchio after school for a farewell celebration. All seven classmates enjoyed learning Uno. Paulina won both games. Catherine received a nice present from Charles and Kheziah. We took a nice photo of Jesse, Ethan, Catherine, and Paulina as we waited for parents to pick the kids. Catherine and Pauling played “I’m thinking of a number,” pronounced “I’m thinkeen of a numbah.” Both kids have their final day of school tomorrow.
Tracy left the party before all kids were picked to see the rest of the Calvin students at the airport before their departure. Although she took no photos, she teared a bit as they shuffled to security. They’ve been through a lot, learned a lot, and contributed a lot during this short semester. We’ll miss them all!
And, of course, we now have several piles of stuff for storage.
—Matt
Accra-Aflao Road
The Accra-Aflao road that takes one to Ada Foah runs through an agricultural area where the ripening crop is watermelon. Our best guess is that farmers and their family members sell the fruit directly from their farms which abut the road. Mile after mile of these roadside stands probably supply produce to Accra and other cities in the country. It costs about eight cedis to buy a watermelon at the Night Market on the University of Ghana campus. We bought one from the Accra-Aflao road, for one.
When we returned to our flat, we began packing. The kitchen is almost done, and several items are in storage. Lots more to be done in the next two days!
—Matt
Ada Foah
For our final weekend in Ghana, we decided to make an overnight journey to Ada Foah, near the Togo border. The Ada region is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ghana, and for good reason. We stayed at the Tsarley Korpey Beach Resort, which has a pool and pool. The hotel is on the Volta River delta where it empties to the Gulf of Guinea.
This is a working delta, and many different types of craft ply these waters. There is a marine yard next to the hotel in which large ships are repaired. We rode in a skiff named 1 + 1 = 3 with Earnest as a pilot. He took us on a two-hour tour of the river, past fishing villages with brightly-painted boats. We passed several luxury resorts, too, like African Midas. For the locals, wood for cooking and water heating is important here as most places in Ghana.
Our destination was a peninsula at the estuary where we met (what else?) a vendor ready to sell eggs and a pair of dogs tormeting a sheep. A fisher was headed home.
After a walkabout, we went back upriver toward Crocodile Island. Earnest stopped along the way to tow a friend whose Sea-Doo battery was drained. As we traveled, a charcoal bag ensnared Earnest’s propeller, stopping the engine cold and causing quite a commotion between Earnest and his friend. Catherine and Mark enjoyed the excursion; so many things to see!
Before returning to Tsarley Korpey, we stopped at Crocodile Island where we saw crocs and ate fresh coconuts, picked and opened before our eyes. We zipped home in 10 minutes, early enough to swim in the pool before viewing a nice sunset.
After dinner at the restaurant on the dock, power went out in our room (only!). The rest of the hotel was fine. When electricity was restored, I watched the Champions League final in which Real Madrid defeated Atlético Madrid in a penalty shootout, 1-1 (5-3).
—Matt
Diane
Each residence hall on the University of Ghana campus has a seamstress or tailor with a shop on the premises. At Commonwealth Hall, Diane is the proprieter, and her establishment is an unmarked room immediately adjacent to our flat. We have purchased many garments from her over the course of the semester. From funeral finery to farewell fashion, she has consistently supplied high-quality garments for us all, including a recent skirt and a dress for Catherine. (The dress is made from scraps of other shirts, skirts, and dresses she made for us and the Calvin students.)
Thanks, Diane!
—Matt
Sky Bar 25
Our family and the remaining students went for dinner at Sky bar 25, the restaurant atop the tallest building in West Africa, Alto Tower in East Dzorwulu. This place is high-end luxury West-African-style: an apartment building with a rooftop pool for residents-only swimming and a members-only restaurant (unless you book in advance with a party, as we did).
Before dinner, Mark and Catherine found a large chair; I spotted the University of Ghana on the hill about two miles north; we looked down on several planes taking off from and descending into Kotoka airport; and we saw a nice sunset from the deck.
We were seated at a long table, and it took quite a while for our dinner to arrive. As the sun set, the lighting got progressively better, and I used my iPhone 6s to take photos of Tracy and students with Catherine. (I wish I had brought my Nikon D50!) As night fell, we finished dinner and headed home while the students lingered. It is a school night, after all!
This was a very pleasant way to spend one of our last evenings in Accra!
—Matt
Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut arrived in Ghana on 12 May. Today’s Africa Day national holiday provided an excuse to visit for lunch. The small store at the Accra Mall is, essentially, a take-out next to the outdoor food court.
Tracy stayed away from the pizza, preferring instead, chicken and rice. The kids were excited to eat our Pepperoni Lovers’ pie, but Mark complained later of an upset stomach due to the grease. You can’t win ’em all!
—Matt
Retreat Photos
While at Hephzibah, Tracy took a couple photos of the remaining students. (Seniors did not participate in the retreat as they were in Grand Rapids for commencement on Saturday.)
The health challenges in our wider group seem to be settling down. Student Brooke arrived in Michigan today in advance of medical testing tomorrow. Thankfully, at the time of this writing, we know of only one ailment among the students: a case of pink-eye that is being treated.
Tomorrow is a school holiday for the kids!
—Matt
Data and Goodbyes
This morning, I went to the ministries area of downtown Accra to visit the data office of the Ghana Statistical Service (GhanaStats). My goal was to gather information on population and employment for my sabbatical project. I was mostly successful, gathering census data from 1960, 1984, 2000, and 2010. (The 1970 census data was missing from the library. No one knows why.) My thanks to Godwin and Michael for their assistance!
Late afternoon, I brought travel documents to student Tyler who is heading home a bit early to attend his sister’s high school graduation. And, in the last couple days, it was decided that student Brooke should return early for medical treatment. So, Catherine and I picked her from Hephzibah creating a few tears and a sad goodbye with friends. We drove directly to the airport where Catherine shared one final hug.
While at Hephzibah, Tracy led the students through several reflection and re-entry exercises. Separation from a place, putting a way of life behind you, and reverse culture shock are never easy. And, everyone deals with them differently. So, it is good that Tracy asked the students to prepare for their return. Let’s hope it pays off!
—Matt
Not Quite Strep
Tracy left early this morning for Hephzibah, location of a two-day retreat for the remaining students. She will return tomorrow late.
Mark overcame his sickness from early last week to attend school on Friday. But late last night he complained of a sore throat. Upon further investigation, we noticed white spots, so Tracy took him (and student Kallie who is also sick) to Nyaho Medical Centre.
Wanting a second opinion, it was my turn to visit HealthLink with Mark this morning. Good thing, too. He has the beginnings of a bacterial infection of the throat, the same ailment that sidelined Catherine about a month ago. It is not quite strep but has a similar presentation. Zithromax was prescribed and should provide relief in short order.
The doctor (Faisal) assured me that both Mark’s current and Catherine’s earlier sicknesses were caused by airborne bacteria, ones common in the tropics but not typically found in North America. Their illnesses are part of a natural process whereby immature immune systems become accustomed to new surroundings.
—Matt
Fun Saturday
Diane surprised Catherine by making two new dresses which were delivered today. One is shown below.
The blue stole I received at the Farewell Celebration was temporary; Wilson, the weaver, ran out of black cloth. This afternoon, we picked a black one and chatted with Wilson at his new loom.
Thereafter, we went to La-Palm Royal Beach Hotel for a swim. We took Daniel’s children Dorothea and Dromi. The pool area is gorgeous, and restaurant sits beneath the palms. The kids had a poolside snack. It was a fun time for all.
—Matt
Monkeys for Sale
We had several “only in Ghana” events and sightings today:
- Baby monkeys for sale in cages on the side of the road.
- Two guys playing fussball on a tilting table beside the road.
- A restaurant that opens only at 6:30 PM. (This could happen elsewhere, but it messed up our plans tonight.)
- A heavily loaded “Long Vehicle” snarling traffic because of its slow hill climb.
- Spending 3.5 hours to get dinner at a restaurant.
- A woman resting her (large) purse atop her head instead of holding it while waiting for a tro-tro.
While she was off school today, Catherine painted the picture below.
—Matt
Remote Lecture
I attended Catherine’s student-led conference this morning at 11:00. She and I spent twenty minutes reviewing her learnings from the first half of third term. Thereafter, I chatted with her teacher. By Noon, we were home. No school tomorrow for her.
Mark is on the mend, his stomach ailment seemingly over. He spent several hours on homework supplied by Roman Ridge School via email. He will attend classes tomorrow for the first time this week.
Tracy spent seven hours today at two different clinics for student Brooke’s medical situation. Good news: a diagnosis has been obtained and a treatment has been administered. Let’s hope that things go in the right direction!
I gave a remote lecture for the Renewable Energy Policy module at the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies in Stellenbosch this afternoon. I have done something similar for the last three years, sometimes in person, sometimes via Skype as it was today.
And the Vandals are charging tonight. Lots of noise and drumming. This is life at Commonwealth Hall.
—Matt
Illnesses
Student Brooke has a skin rash and a skin infection, neither of which has been definitively identified. The diagnoses are ongoing with heavy involvement from Tracy, including a planned dermatologist visit early tomorrow morning in Osu.
At the moment, Mark is ill with a stomach bug. Thankfully, his early-week fever has subsided. He is doing as much homework at, well, home as he recovers.
Catherine participated in swim lessons today at school, a highlight of the week for the students. I will attend a student-led conference tomorrow.
This evening, Catherine worked on a paint-by-number project.
—Matt
First Departures
The four senior students departed for the U.S. yesterday to attend Calvin’s graduation. Tracy took the photo below to commemorate the occasion; smiles from the seniors and sad faces from the others.
—Matt
Victor
On the way to purchasing a coconut after picking Catherine from school, a lorry carrying folding tables, chairs, and awnings was loading in a driveway between Gracie’s fabric store and the coconut stand. As it pulled slowly away, the gulley at the end of the driveway caused long, two-inch diameter steel poles (for the awnings but sticking dangerously out the back of the truck) to scrape the driveway, causing quite a racket and gouging the cement. Clear of the gulley and wanting to minimize traffic delay, the driver accelerated at the end of his left turn into Lagos Ave. Three tables, a dozen chairs, and half of the poles clattered loudly to the roadway. The two guys sitting atop the tables were thrown to the pavement, amidst all the traffic, pedestrians, and bystanders at one of the busiest intersections in East Legon. Fortunately, and by some miracle, no one was hurt!
Victor (the coconut vendor, below) is always accompanied by several friends beneath his shady tree, and everyone resting there was laughing and yelling in Twi to the driver and his sprawling mates. You would have thought this was the funniest thing to happen on the corner of Lagos and 1st Lagos Avenues (remember, street names mean little) in a very long time! Not so. Victor said he often sees entertaining happenings from his front-row seat to the madness that is East Legon.
After the hilarity and the coconut, Catherine snapped this photo of Victor and me.
—Matt
Farewell Celebration
This evening, Calvin College entertained over one hundered guests at a farewell celebration for the Ghana semester program. A lovely garden was the setting, home of Calvin alumnus Pearl’s parents.
The invitation stated 5–8 PM, but caterers came at 6 and guests arrived in earnest shortly thereafter. In the calm before the metaphorical storm, McKinley reviewed the formal program for which she served as M.C.
As the sun was setting, Tracy welcomed everyone, and Mark read an opening prayer. Thereafter, dinner was served while a slide show cycled.
The program called for dancing, and there was plenty! The Ghana Dance Ensemble performed twice to get things going; one with men leading and the other with women in front. You can’t have dancing without drumming. Later, three Calvin students performed a dance from their African studies class. Additional students and Catherine presented two dances, including Pimpa. Impromptu dancing to Ghanaian pop music (Shatta Wale, in particular) occurred when the formal program was complete.
Olivia, Krista, and Brooke shared touching and poignant remembrances. Many more students and Tracy expressed appreciation for hospitality of one form or another. Internship hosts were honored, too.
In accordance with longstanding tradition, semester-program students were presented with beautiful, custom-made, hand-woven Kente stoles to be worn at their Calvin graduation. Again, in accordance with tradition, the students selected two recipients of honorary stoles for significant contributions to the program: Auntie Jemima and me! This was a big surprise, and we were incredibly honored and humbled to be recognized in this way.
Final words and a gift for the hosts were followed by the singing of “Father, I Adore You” at the end of the program. Around 9 PM, the only thing left was photos with friends.
The formal program this evening provided students an opportunity to express their appreciation for the hospitality, guidance, laughter, teaching, and friendship of so many Ghanians. Too little time was set aside for others to express appreciation of the students. As a group, they are eager learners; willingly sacrificial for each other, unimabinably flexible when needed, and selflessly kind to Catherine, Mark, and me. It has been pure joy knowing them over the last five months.
Based on the comments and reflections this evening, it is clear that the semester created deep and lasting impacts for all. I’m proud that Tracy’s hard work, planning, and commitment to the students created the space for their experience. And, I am grateful that the students allowed our family to participate in the process. With deep appreciation to the Calvin students and their parents, I say “meda ase!”
A lovely group photo marked the end of the evening. It seems unlikely that all sixteen people will ever appear in a single photo again; four seniors depart tomorrow for the US and Calvin graduation on Saturday. From there, who knows.
Life is made of moments, and tonight’s celebration was a significant one. Go well, students. Go well!
—Matt
The Hut
A few odds and ends today.
Tracy picked up the student stoles yesterday. They will be awarded during the farewell celebration tomorrow evening.
Tracy had two clinic visits late last night (11 PM) and this morning. Brooke had an upper respiratory infection. As a result, Catherine and I walked to SDigital Printing to run off the program created by Bethany.
For dinner, our family and Amy went to Nicolino Restaurant at La Paillote (The Hut). We enjoyed the pizza and calzones.
Catherine has been invited to Abdul’s birthday party tomorrow afternoon. She was excited to receive the phone call this evening. Tomorrow will be a busy day.
—Matt
Sidewalks
The University of Ghana is installing labour-intensive sidewalks everywhere. As the photo below shows, the first step is emplacing a barrier of cement blocks by hand. Next, workers use pick-axes to remove the sod between the cement-block barrier and the open gutter. Thereafter, black plastic and gravel are layered. Bricks are laid, and sand is spread atop the strata.
The work has been ongoing throughout campus all semester. Someone got a nice contract to do all this work!
—Matt
Relief!
The air-conditioner in one bedroom failed late last week, so sleeping has been uncomfortable since the day before Brenu Two. The problem was diagnosed yesterday (out of “gas,” i.e. R-22) and solved today. After tightening a loose fitting to stop the leak, the aircon tech from Tema charged the system, restoring proper operation.
In recent days, several of our Ghanian friends and a few taxi drivers have wondered aloud “where are the rains?” We’re supposed to be in the rainy season, but we haven’t received significant precipitation in several weeks. As a result, each day has seemed as steamy and hot as the next.
To everyone’s relief, a massive thunderstorm rolled through Accra today. The heavens opened and the rain fell for nearly an hour around noon. (Fortunately, I completed a 6-mile run before the deluge.) Like previous downpours, dark skies and high winds accompanied the storm.
Relief twice over!
—Matt
Car Repairs
Danestrol Auto Centre to the rescue once again!
Emmanuel procured and installed a new radio antenna for the Calvin car today. This repair was necessitated by the destruction of a few weeks ago.
More importantly, Danestrol supplied reflective stickers. We are no longer violating Ghanaian vehicle regulations!
—Matt
Internship Visits
Amy is here to check out the Calvin Study in Ghana program and to prepare for directorship in 2017. Together, Tracy and Amy went to the Akrofi Christaller Institute in Akropong to lay the groundwork for 2017. They also visited students at Hopeline and Adenkrebi internship placements.
—Matt
Back to Normal
An interesting side-effect of residing temporarily in a city is that you want to do and experience as much as possible in the short time available. Giving in to that inclination (as we often do) leads to fewer “normal” days than, well, normal life at “home.”
Thus, after a couple weeks with school holidays, sicknesses, a vacation, and several group dinners, it was a relief that today was typical for the kids and me. For starters, everyone was healthy with Tracy nearly recovered from a cold. Catherine had dance and chess clubs after school. Mark was at school doing independent work in maths, ICT, and chemistry while his peers take IGCSE exams. And, homework was accomplished by both in the afternoon and evening. Tracy visited two internship sites and picked Amy, the upcoming director of Calvin’s program in 2017, from the airport. I had three teleconferences: one for the upcoming course I will teach in South Africa, one for a programming project, and one for a paper. In between, I did a little writing, a little calculating, and a little programming.
There is comfort in routine.
—Matt
Group Dinner
All Calvin students took an exam this afternoon, so we hosted them for dinner afterward. Most will return to their internships tomorrow. Mark and Catherine will return to school tomorrow, too.
Happy Mother’s Day to everyone!
—Matt
Brenu Two, Day Two
Mark went for an early walk along the beach and took a selfie. After breakfast, Catherine enjoyed the hammock, looked for sand crabs, and shared a moment with Joseph. The rainy season is coming, and the clouds are building offshore.
In mid-morning, Tracy and I took a walk to the nearby fishing village where we saw boats, kids playing football on the beach, and boogie-boarding. We chatted to Agnes again, too.
We had a wonderful stay at Brenu and headed home just after lunch.
On the drive from Brenu to Accra, we encountered a police barricade. This is not unusual; on several occasions during yesterday’s journey from Accra to Brenu, police officers checked our boot, peered into the cabin, and waved us onward without so much as a second look. On this instance, however, the officer noticed a violation. Ghana requires, and our car lacks, two white and two red reflective stickers on the front and rear bumpers, respectively. It lacks because they were not re-applied after its finish was repaired only a few days ago. (This was probably because of the rush to finish the job, and we didn’t know better.) The officer asked for, and I handed over, my licence and international drivers permit (IDP). He gave us a hard time about our transgression and strode to his desk to write an arrest warrant for me. (Near as I can figure “arrest” is hyperbolic. It is, rather, a citation that compels an appearance in court a few days hence.) The officer told me to step back in the car, but Tracy went to plead our case. After informing that one of her students was in hospital (true) and likely has malaria (or so we and the doctor thought at that time) and promising to get the required stickers in the next day or so, the officer relented and returned my license and IDP. Twenty minutes after pulling over, we were homeward. Whew!
Within a minute, Tracy received a phone call informing us that Bethany has severe food poisioning, not malaria. Whew again!
Except that we encountered a second police barricade shortly thereafter. Or rather speed trap. After motioning us to the shoulder, the officer showed his gun: 56 kph in a 50 kph zone. (If you’re keeping score at home, 6 kph is 3.7 mph.) The officer condescendingly informed me that Ghana uses kilometers instead of miles and that I must obey the signs in kph, not mph. With Tracy in the back seat under her breath saying “Don’t hand over your license,” I SHOWED the officer my licence and IDP. When asked why I didn’t want to surrender them, I said (too honestly, perhaps) that bad things happen when I do. He took offense (“Are you trying to sort me, the police?”) and demanded my credentials. After some time, he returned my U.S. license but kept my IDP, handed me a citation (which noted my IDP had been confiscated), and walked back to his truck. We sat in our car, stunned.
When we next looked up, the other half-dozen speed trap officers joined my ticketing officer in the truck and prepared to drive away. Tracy and I rushed over to plead our case, pointing out that I need my IDP to drive legally. The driver of the police truck told us that in combination my U.S. license and the citation are sufficient to drive in Ghana. When I asked, incredulously, “really?” the officer said he’s the police and therefore the one who knows the law. We walked to our car, and the officers drove away.
We decided that Tracy should drive to Accra, despite the officer’s insistence that I was OK. As I sat in the back seat with Catherine, the realization that I must travel three hours to Cape Coast on Tuesday sank in. There is no way that I’ll be able to squeeze the trip between dropping and picking the kids at schools. Therefore, Tracy’s day will be destroyed, just as she’s attending to millions of end-of-semester details. And that’s the least of our worries. What are the chances I traverse the legal system without a scrape? NONE of this is good!
Thinking back to today’s first encounter with the law, it is small miracle that none of the spped trap officers also noticed our missing stickers! To minimize that risk, Tracy thought to purchase and apply the required stickers as soon as possible. Today, in fact. So, we stopped at the first service station we saw. No luck on the stickers, but we grabbed a few snacks and went on our way.
For five minutes. Until we encountered another speed trap!
While we looked for stickers, the same squad of officers re-established their speed trap a few miles east. This time it was Tracy’s turn to be hassled. “We got your husband and now we get you.” “65 in a 50 kph zone.” “Kilometers, not miles.” “Need to appear in court on Tuesday.”
Before the officer demanded Tracy’s license, Tracy admitted she has a lead foot, said she needs to get back to Accra for her student (she’s sick, in the hospital, and I have the text messages to prove it!), asked the severity of the fine, and asked if we could pay the fines (plural!) on the spot. At this, the officer laughed, repeated the bit about kilometers not miles, and asked for the paper (i.e., my citation). I produced my paper which the officer took to the truck. In a few moments, he returned my IDP, reminded us yet again about kilometers not miles, and wished us a safe journey. And, he gave us a tip: oncoming drivers will often warn of police presence by flashing brights.
The cop told us how to avoid the cops.
Oh, Ghana!
—Matt
Brenu Two
We decided to start our weekend early with a second trip to Brenu Beach, both (a) to compensate Tracy for the previous trip (during which she was sick and never left her room) and (b) to celebrate Mother’s Day. We departed Accra at 8:45 for the 3.5-hour coastal drive from which Elmina Castle can be seen. (The castle is barely visible on the point.)
The surf is always pounding at Brenu; anything more than ankle wading is too dangerous and should not be attempted. But, you can still play in the sand and enjoy the water. Mark chose to luxuriate in one of the many hammocks beneath the palms. Tracy and I took an afternoon walk eastward on the beach, and evening clouds provided texture and colour to the Brenu sunset.
We’re the only guests at the moment which makes this location along the Gulf of Guinea seem even more secluded and more serene than usual. After dinner, Agnes, the Brenu proprietor, visited our room for a chat. We learned the history of the resort, which includes a modest beginning (one hut fashioned between coconut trees) and an eight-year romance and eventual marriage to a German.
It is absolutely lovely staying here; a delightful break from Accra. Thank you, Agnes!
—Matt
University Struggles
Tracy continues to struggle to understand the ways of the University of Ghana. For example, she organized all student internships and transportation for same based on the recently-posted exam schedule. What she failed to understand (and nobody bothered to say) is that the posted exam schedule was only the FIRST DRAFT! Times and dates changed when the final schedule was released, thereby throwing internship plans into disarray. With students already working at their placements, it is impossible for Tracy to re-organize everything. She had to back away, telling the students to figure it out themselves.
Another area of constant concern is the accounting system. Tracy has been trying to pay for office and classroom rental, but it is unclear (a) where the university should be paid and (b) whether anyone actually wants to accept a check. Work continues!
Health-wise, the family is mostly back to normal. Catherine went to school today. Mark is ready to do the same. However, tomorrow we’re planning to travel to Brenu Beach again, so both kids will miss.
—Matt
Twenty-Fun
We celebrated birthdays of Julia and McKinley at our flat with ice cream and cake. They are both 21, or “twenty-fun,” as McKinley said. The photo below shows Krista (in her as-of-yesterday braids) braiding Catherine’s hair.
Unfortunately, Tracy couldn’t join the fun; she took Brooke to HealthLink to follow up on infections on her lower leg. The doctor said everything is fine.
The kids both stayed home from school again today. Thankfully, everyone is feeling much better this evening. We’re nearly over our sicknesses.
—Matt
3 Sicks, 1 Well
At the moment, we have three sicks in our flat: Catherine has a slight fever (max 100 °F) and cough, and Mark and I have really upset stomachs (food poisoning?). Tracy is the only healthy person! Both kids stayed home from school, and I spent nearly an hour in bed. (Those who know me will also know how unprecedented that is.)
While on travel to Koforidua on Sunday, Tracy took a few photos. The first is a fruit stand, and the second is some general scenery with a cocoa plantation in the background. Ghanaian cocoa is a famous export crop.
—Matt
May Day Holiday
Today is the official May Day holiday in Ghana. Although it is a school and work holiday, Tracy interviewed a former director of the Christian Council of Ghana at his house at 9 AM. The rest of us came along thinking that we could occupy ourselves while Tracy was in conversation. Near the house, we saw a hotel that promised “Internet Café.” Bingo! We pulled up and asked the security guard how we might make use of the internet café. His response: “Oh, that machine is not working. It is finished.” Consult Google Maps. I found another nearby internet café to which we drove. But, either the sign was missing or it is now closed. After turning around in a dicey part of Accra, we drove back to the house and simply waited outside. Mark read a book, Catherine wrote a book, and I checked email.
Thereafter, we celebrated May Day by mini golfing at Marvels, which was much closer to the interview location than to our flat. It was sunny and hot, very hot! We took a break after the front nine to take lunch. Catherine and I got holes-in-one on the same hole! Photos of everyone below.
—Matt
Same Thing Every Day
I took a screen shot of my weather app today. Accra gets nearly the same temperatures every day. Oh wow. Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday next week will be 1 °C cooler at midday. Thanks.
Tracy took two students to internship placements in Koforidua this afternoon. While she was away, Catherine’s school friend Abdul and brother Ismael joined us at the flat. In addition to playing lots of tag, they made a fort in which a snack (pickles, grated cheddar cheese, and fruit loops) was eaten.
—Matt
