Sunday, July 19, 2009

Island Schools Again





So that you don't think we just play all the time, here are some pics from the island schools we visited before. We went again to compare with the other schools we visited. These kids are waiting for a merry-go-round so they can play and have light. They say that the islands will be the last to get electricity in Ghana. It's probably true.

One happenin' Friday night





We had to gather the rubber bands about 5 times before we got them all down. There were some tough ones including a "communist" cowboy that wouldn't fall. He had about 9 rubber bands around him.

Uncle, Hello?

Any time Arabna sees a phone, she immediately picks it up, puts it to her ear, and says, "Hello?" (Pronounced, "Heyo?") She's definitely a girl 'cause she'll even hold the phone with her shoulder while she's doing something else and just keep talking. She's not even 2 yet.

A few weeks ago, Anowa and Arabna were on a bus on the way home. All of a sudden, Anowa heard Arabna say, "Uncle, heyo?" She bent down to check for her phone in her purse but it wasn't there. Then she looked at the man next to her and asked him for her phone back. He looked at her like she was crazy and said he didn't have it. Anowa explained to him that the baby said he had it, so he should give it back. He tried making fun of her for believing a little kid instead of him, but then someone offered to call her phone for her. It rang. In his pants. He had hidden it, not in his pocket, but in the cuff of his pant leg, so nobody would have found it if it didn't ring. He of course was forced to give it back. When he handed it to Anowa, Arabna put out her hand like she always does (like "talk to the hand") and said, "Uncle shame!" Everyone started laughing at him, telling him "shame!" and making fun of him for getting caught by a baby. Then the driver stopped and kicked him off the bus.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Same school, more photos





The sights of School Selection





We went to a school the other day, as we do most days. This school, however was pretty exceptional. The kids stayed after school to do their homework instead of going straight home. Too bad this school requires you to descend a pretty steep ravine, cross a river on a 2x4, then climb the other side up to the school. Not to mention following the same path coming home. We went to the school, talked to the headmaster/teachers/students, then came back and were about to leave when the supervisor showing us around told us about the waterfalls that were pretty close by. These pics are from our walk to the waterfalls, along with some other funny scenes.

The hungry, hungry caterpillar; a tree root growing on the side of a rock cliff; the preferred method of carrying anything...rocks, trees, merchandise, whatever; the goat in a gutter with a can stuck on his face.

The "infamous" Cape Coast





We went to Cape Coast as our last stop of the weekend. It also has a slave castle. They were all pretty excited for Obama to come there. I haven't heard if he actually did or not. This is the city that most people go to for tours and those kinds of activities. I was more impressed with Elmina, personally. Same stuff, better guide, bigger castle. We didn't get any pics of the actual castle, but I'm sure you could look it up on the inter-web if you want to. The crab statue is in the middle of town...maybe as their "cash crop"?

Taylor, Matt (just graduated BYU and is teaching Math, Victor (Ghanaian), Josephine (Ghanaian), and I all went to Elmina, Kaukum, then Cape Coast for the 4th of July weekend. It gave a new meaning to Independence Day when we toured the slave castles.
The stories we heard about the slave trade and what happened in the years prior to it/after it were pretty amazing. We were all in a pretty solemn mood after the tour. It was pretty sad to hear that, because of tribal disputes and wars, even Ghanaians were selling Africans (from other tribes) to be slaves. Book of Mormon?

The Alligator Restaurant





We stopped to see the alligators. They let us pet one (he had already eaten) and then they let us feed a baby one that she called over. It was raw chicken. One of the guys was not watching where he was putting the end of the stick and hit Taylor with the raw chicken...it was pretty sick. But it's real, in case you were wondering.

The Canopy Walk





We went on the Canopy Walk in Kaukum (north of Cape Coast). It was pretty fun. All the Ghanaians were screaming and freaking out while they were walking across it. I'm not sure what the difference was, but we were trying to make it more exciting by walking backwards or with no hands.

And yes, that is an Obama shirt. Probably the most frequent scene since I got here.

Elmina





We went to Elmina/Cape Coast last weekend. Elmina is a fishing town that's about 15 km from Cape Coast. It has the biggest castle and was where they kept the slaves during the slave trade. A very interesting, sad story. I love the last line of the plaque, "We, the living, vow to uphold this."

Life's Simple Beauties





Just a few sites we've seen in the past few weeks. We are loving it. Ask if you have any questions.

Father's Day





We resorted back to our childlike habits on Father's Day. We made Alex and Anowa an Italian dinner, complete with pasta and homemade pasta sauce, garlic bread, and pazookies. That was a little sweet for them, but it was really fun. Arabna was being a 2-year-old and getting in to everything, but it was nice for them to have a little break from cooking and try some other stuff.

All things African




Alex and Anowa making dinner

This is a little bit of what I see every day. Alex (birthday: 2 Feb) is a painter. He leaves early in the morning and comes home late at night. He wants to go to school to get his degree in interior design. Anowa (birthday: 5 September) is a saint with Arabna, who is turning 2 on 28 August. Sorry, the birthdays are more for me to remember them than for you to know. Anowa used to be a caterer (she makes great food). I told her she could come work for my dad in his international cafe if she ever comes to the U.S., hope that's okay, Dad. They are so amazing! I'm really going to miss them.

Okay, it's taking too long. I'll upload it when I get home.
In the video: Alex and Anowa pounding fufu.

My Ghanaian Family






Anowa (mom), Arabna (little girl), Alex (dad)

Anowa and Alex are pounding fufu. Fufu is cassava mixed with plantain. You can find it just about anywhere here. All you need is a big stick that's been pounded on one end so that the wood fibers are bent flat and a wooden bowl that's flat inside. You just hope that the one pounding doesn't hit the other person's fingers.