The mango is a tropical fruit, and Ghana is a tropical country. Ghanaian mangoes are extraordinarily juicy and sweet. We have been enjoying them almost daily since our arrival. Tonight’s mango was especially good, and I took the opportunity to compose a still life photo in the late afternoon sunlight of our kitchen.
Of course, this makes me think of Mango Groove, my favorite South African band. During my previous sabbatical (2009), Mango Groove released their previous album (Bang the Drum). As it happens, they’re releasing another new album soon (Sing The Beloved Country), and I’m beyond excited! For the second album in a row, I’ll be in country around the time of release. Perhaps I’ll be able to check an item off my bucket list: attend a Mango Groove concert. Bonus points if the venue is Kirstenbosch Gardens.
The name of the upcoming album is a play on the title of, arguably, the most famous South African novel, Alan Paton’s Cry the Beloved Country. I’m eager to hear how they connect the album to the novel, if at all. I allowed myself to listen to the 90-second iTunes preview of the new single “Faces to the Sun.” Once. It sounded great, but I won’t listen again until I can hear the album in its entirety.
After school today, Catherine worked on homework. She wrote her own ending to The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, involving the characters Lucy (as herself) and Tumnus (as a biker named Dude).
Mark played badminton during after-school activities.
Tracy’s students began the process of registering for classes at the University of Ghana. They learned that classes meet only two hours per week and not during the first scheduled week of the term (essentially). One can’t assume that anything in Ghana conforms to North American expectations!
—Matt
