Made it to Meet Me There

We got to our hotel got things in room and realized there were many problems the most important no lock on window facing road so..the manager apologized saying that room had just been remodeled.  If we would relax they would clean another room and we would be moved. soooo

Too early for spirits so had Alvardo and enjoyed the view!!!

 

We got up and explored our property a little.  We have crocs, snakes and more in cages then we came upon

 

Our own monkey to watch.  They can not afford a cage yet so he is tied and watched by a small boy.  They are into turtle protection when they come to lay their eggs.  They have leatherback turtles just like South Padre.

 

This is a picture of the Lodge from across the lagoon on the beach side.  Restaurant feed us very well except the afternoon we had prawns.  They were the size of popcorn shrimp or smaller but after our exploration of the beach we understood.  More on that next blog.

 

We had a very nice room, clean everything and really enjoyed our short stay will try again when we can stay longer.

Exploring the Beach

We got up early Sunday morning (always early in Ghana) and saw all these people up and down the beach.  It was like 6:30 am drinking tea and what are these people doing.  Got my camera and realized they were pulling rope.  So we ate breakfast, met the owner Hugh.  He was born in Africa, schooled in England and then came back to a less pressured life.  He was so burned from entertaining a family on the beach the day before from Holland.  They seemed to have had a good stay.

So we walk around the lagoon and to getto  the beach side.  There were large amount of people working the nets to drag in shrimp, fish, crabs, and lots of “rubbers” and trash.

If you look close the shrimp are so small, the white fish looks like something we would have in a fish tank at home-so flat- and then the trash.

 

They work so hard to get the nets in:

 

                                It Takes the whole family to go through the catch to see what they can take home.  This happens every morning.

Worried about how hard they were working and when I saw a small girl eat one of the flat fish I figured I should help.  So I threw down my stuff and got in line.  Not easy work but not as bad as I thought since there were so many people and….well the net was not full yet!!!

 

Had a safe trip back to Accra then another story unfolded.  I am always telling you how wonder the Ghanaian people are.  I was on a trois going to bus station to go home to Bolga.  Supposedly a 3 or 4 pm bus.  I was in very new territory of Accra and a young man on the trois said he was going to circle and he would walk with me.  He took my bags even though I protested and he got us another trois.  We went to circle and got off together.  We walked to station no bus.  I am going great now what.  He said STC station was a little further if I wanted to walk.  It was either that or find a hotel for the night so I walked with him and he got me a seat on the bus.  He waited for me to get on.  I turned to give him a little money for his trouble and he refused. He said you are here to help my country.  He did ask for my phone number.  I hate giving out my number because Ghanaians call all the time to greet, but he had been so nice I hated to say no.  He called me about half way through trip to check on me and then called the next morning to make sure I was okay.  Wow!!! The people are so kind.

In village again with a great package from home, washing done and hung up, taken pictures of ladies paying back their weekly amount for the loan they all took out and going to Bolga to meet another PCV coming to work in the Upper East.  Until next time.

My Trip Across the Volta

My friend and I took the weekend for a little R & R after meetings and Drs. appointments in Accra.  We took trois trois to a small town on the advice of the drivers.  We ended up in a very very small fishing village.  The people were very sweet and helpful.  Told us no we were not lost we could take a ferry across the Volta River to get to the Eco friendly hotel we were looking for.  Ferry in Ghana wow how far is this place.  No No very close small ride.  No worries ferry comes at 11 am and there were 5 other people waiting for ferry.  Mother’s with small children, older lady heading to a funeral, lady carrying supplies home so we waited.

Yep this is the Ferry but look how beautiful of a day it was.

 

Yes, we are still in Ghana.  Beautiful homes, wonderful boats on the Volta.  We were so surprised.  The only thing I could think of is the Volta Dam is an earthen dam.  What happens……. no don’t go there.

 

This little job certainly gave me a few minutes of worry but everything was done like it had been done a 1000 times, just get the water out and keep going.  Oh My!!!

Beautiful beach with wonderful trees.  This is area where Volta meets the ocean.  It was such a wonderful day you could see forever. 

 

Our dock is straight ahead.  Notice the anchor!  We got off the dock yes a wooden dock found a taxi waiting and he took us to Meet You There hotel for 2 Gh cedis. 

 

The weather, view, so relaxing (did not think about anything negative), great way to start our weekend.

Pictures from Basket Shipping

Look for the animal on the top of the "taxi"!

    

 This little girl found a plant on the ground and made herself a wig!!!  She was so proud.

 Future Basket weaver!!! Look at the bottom it is started.  She says she will teach me!!

 The mgr's son is helping us get the baskets ready for shipping RIGHT!!! he pulled and threw the baskets so we had to chase after him. 

 Look how many baskets he is carrying.  this is what the boys all do while helping us getting baskets ready to put in the container.

Here is my shipment- I am so excited the girls will have Christmas.

The baskets are on the ship coming and yes it will be 3 months!!!

More Pictures

Even the older people want their picture taken.  I felt bad I only got him but the sun was bright- He laughed and laughed when he saw the picture.  They all want hard copies but where......

Here is MuSa and one of the weavers getting her story for the Blessing Baskets.  The baby on the back is very interested in what I am doing, but not scared.  So nice when I don't make them cry!!!

Here is one of the leathermen''s keys.  He got it out to give to a family member.  Thought you would like that!!!

Here are the kids on a summer day working in the fields.  Everyday I see groups of kids with their hoes across their backs working together in different fields.

Hope you enjoyed our day in a village pictures.  Barbara

Pictures from the village

The animals are all being staked to keep them out of the fields where things are growing.  At the end of the day the kids and old people go and get them to tie them up for the night.  This little girl is having problems but she finally got him to go with her. 

These two little girls were showing me how to do a dance they I thought was like hotscotch but I was wrong.  I did it but they just laughed and tried to show me again.  It is so fun to listen to such innocent laughter.

Finally found flowers-in a pond the water lily's were going crazy!!  The small children were naked and going in to get the frogs but I could never get them in a picture.