The Fusspot Chronicles

You’re experiences of Ghana are keeping me very entertained.   I’m loving this blog.  Keep it up.  Glad you’re back online.  

I think that the beauty of the Akuapem mountains became a little too much for my little dongle and my Blackberry - they both decided to pack up last week and only revive themselves once I arrived in Accra last night - hence the lack of blogs and other forms of technical communication.  I’ve realised just how much I use FB, Twitter, BBM and WhatsApp - the first day without them was like the coldest turkey ever.  Awful!  Apologies.

Exciting news is that I’m in Accra!!!  Unexciting news is that unbearably hot - I’ve definitely melted several times today.

My first week has been eventful to say the least, I’ll expand at a later date.

I seem to be the only person that is being terrorised by the heat of the Sun. There are construction workers toiling in the hot Sun on my Uncle’s project – they aren’t sweating, the chap riding his bicycle up and down the high road selling Fan Ice – he seems quite dry, the lady carrying her shopping with her baby sleeping on her back – doesn’t seem at all bothered by the heat.

I’m sitting in the back office of my Uncle’s shop, creating a basic Excel spreadsheet with the fan on full blast – why on Earth am I pouring with sweat? I could literally put out a small house-fire. Most unlady-like.

I’m welcoming this opportunity to explore Ghana and build relationships with relatives on my own timescale.  This is the first time that I’ve been to Ghana on my own and for an extended period; not rushing for a funeral or other family matter, I am really looking forward to it. 

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Our third “Lights Off” today imposed a stop on my Excel spreadsheet for my Uncle’s store and so I decided to take a walk to explore my surrounds.  I grabbed a bottle of Voltic (yes Voltic, not Volvic.  Sourced from the Volta River), my camera, my phone, put on my outdoor chalewote (ref glossary), and excitedly set off down the road. 

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There are things that I love about Ghana that I only seem to remember when the plane touches down and the plane door is opened:

• The warm roasted almond smell of the earth

• The fresh organic fruit and vegetables – they seem to have an extra layer of taste

• Being able to say that I’ll go to visit my Nana over the weekend

• The morning greetings “Fine morning Auntie/Sister”.  Everyone greets each other as they pass by.

• Being able to wear chalewote (ref glossary) into official buildings

• The general and wide-ranging sense of entrepreneurship at every level

• Hearing music playing on every street corner
• The relaxed and overwhelmingly happy atmosphere

For these reasons I must be on my best behaviour whilst here: no receiving things with my left hand – a taboo in most African countries, certainly no swearing (in public), and no rolling of the eyes when I think someone is wasting my time, no overdramatic screaming or squeamish behaviour when I see a giant creepy crawly.

Following the edict from Mum & Dad, and going through many stages of trying to understand I literally had two weeks to get going: informing friends, family and colleagues, buying a ticket, getting a visa, jabs, packing etc.

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…..by safely cruising through my teenage years without getting into serious enough trouble to warrant “being sent to Ghana” by my parents.  I know that some of you reading this will be well able to empathise.  

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