We’re still figuring out how to get around Accra without a car. Taxis are the way to go, and I’m understanding how to bargain for fares. On the way to Mark’s school today, the driver and I agreed on 15 cedis, a much lower fare than any other driver has offered. When I saw his route, I immediately knew why. He took a “back way” that avoids the congestion of the main highway to Accra city centre. I had seen this route on the Maps app on my phone, but I have been unable to attempt it due to lack of wheels. And, no previous driver took it. The “back way” took only 15 minutes, with hardly any traffic.
After departing Roman Ridge, the same driver took us to International Community School on another efficient route, avoiding several busy traffic lights. When we get our car back next week, these new (to us) paths will reduce school commute times significantly.
At the end of the school day, I took a taxi to pick up a smiling Catherine. She had the first French lesson of her life today. I’m thankful that Mark’s friend Kwame took him home again today, thereby deleting two taxi rides from our budget. Although it is way too early to tell how things will end, Mark summarized his first partial week of school as “fine,” and Catherine declared it to be “good.”
Our flat lacks laundry facilities, so we must take our dirty clothes elsewhere. A close one is Star Wash, down the hill and across the street from CitiVeg. Catherine and I picked up a couple loads of laundry today after school and walked home.
On this Friday evening, everyone is rather tired on account of waking up early (6 AM for the kids, earlier for me) each day. We’ll all enjoy sleeping in tomorrow.
—Matt
