Ghana – Day 11
Today was a shorter day. Brandie woke up still not feeling well so we stayed in the hotel room all morning long letting her rest. We left the room just after noon and made our way to the home to see what was happening there. Of course, before we could make it there we had to stop at the corner market so Brandie could buy some of her sweet breads.
John had posted on Facebook they were having problems with their scanner. When I arrived I asked John if I could take a look at it and see if maybe in all of my ‘nerdiness’ I might be able to fix it. I spent about a half hour working on it and finally got the scanner and printer to work again. Before I could leave however, I needed to leave a reminder for John that I had helped him. When he left the room I quickly pressed my face against the glass of the scanner and scanned a crazy pose of my face. Quietly I saved the image to the wallpaper of John’s laptop. I’m sure it’s the best wallpaper he’s ever had!
As I was sitting in the office working on the computer I heard one of the men really getting after one of the children. I stood up to see John talking with one of the boys. I found out later it was little F. It is rare to hear John speak to one of the children in Ewe so I knew the little boy must be in a bit of hot water given the tone and look on John’s face. I’m not sure what was being said (it all sounds like the same booogidy, boo to me) but I was pretty confident it wasn’t good. Later that night I’d asked Job what had worked John up earlier in the day. He said it was because F had broken his flip-flops. Apparently, little F is VERY crafty and has figured out that when any visitors come to the home most of them will bring clothes and/or flip-flops. What kid doesn’t want some new shoes? F’s way of making sure he would get new shoes was to secretly go to a quite place of the home and break his shoes. Of course, he did not realizing the shoes cost somebody money or cost another child who really needed the shoes. This day, however, his secret hiding place for breaking shoes was not ‘secret’ enough and one of the other boys caught him breaking his slippers. John was going to make sure that did not happen again. I couldn’t help but giggle a little – even though I shouldn’t. Kids will be kids.
I really wanted to go back to the Nungua market so I could take some photos. Brandie wanted to see if she could find some cocoa butter for her OCD with having to have lotion on her hands at all times. The African market has to be one of the most fascinating things in the world. All of the different products that are grown, made, or harvested are brought daily to this great gathering place to be sold or bartered. One can buy almost anything you can think of at the bigger markets. It is an absolute dream for an avid ‘people watcher’ such as myself. The market can be a sensory overload with all of the different colors, smells, and items to see. There are rows and rows of beads, fabric of every color and patter from all around the world, coal for burning, wood for building, fish for frying, and pans for cooking…anything you can think of can be found in the market.
See here for the pictures (for some reason I can't get them uploaded to Blogspot). Here's the link to Facebook.
Today in the market we were looking for fabrics for a friend back in the states who was doing a Ghanaian festival. As we walked through the cramped corridors we may have stood out just a little…being the only light colored people there. It was funny to watch the reaction of the people. Some would softly come up and touch Brandie’s soft hair, others would come by and brush my arm (I’m guessing to see if the white would rub off), and others would just smile and say, “Obruni, you are welcome!!” It really was a highlight of the already wonderful trip. I was able to absorb so much culture and see all of the different products the people of Ghana use daily. There were some great pictures to be taken – whether or not I got any of them will still to be seen.
At the market we introduced A & M to their first lesson in money management. Every time we’d been to market before it was an endless array of “daddy, I want” or “mommy, can you buy me…”, which really becomes quite tiring. Today I decided to change things up just a little. In the taxi ride over to the market I gave both children 2 Cedi each. I very clearly explained that this was their money – they could do with it whatever they’d like. They could save it, spend only part of it, or spend all of it, but once it was gone there was no more. They could buy toffee, a biscuit, an apple, or anything else that 2 Cedi would buy them. Both of their faces lit up as their minds raced through all of the things this money would buy them. Once at the market, however it was a quite different reaction. M went on a ‘trying to spend’ binge. She saw some shoes first that caught her eye. She immediately went to the vender with Brandie and asked for those shoes. The lady explained they were 7 Cedi. M replied she only had 2 to which the lady simply shook her head. M, in disgust walked away shaking her head and said, “too much”. A, on the other hand, decided he was going to save the money for an apple. I was curious to see how long this lasted as we walked past rows of candy and treats I knew he liked. True to his decision, he held fast all the way through the entire market until we saw an apple vendor. He quickly took his money out of my cargo short’s side pocket and ran to the vender. With apple in hand and a huge smile on his face he handed me the change and his apple. I took out my pocketknife and cut it into eight slices and placed them back into the bag for him. He savored each bite and visually inspected every slice to make sure it met his satisfaction. Such a simple pleasure.
In the end, M bought a small biscuit, a meat pie, and saved the other 1 Cedi, 20 pesewas for a later day. A spent 1 Cedi and 10 pesewas and saved the remaining for tomorrow. I was quite happy with the way they both managed their money and desires. I can’t imagine how difficult it would be to not want to spend all of the money for items we’d never had.
We arrived back at the house just before the children were served their meal of rice and shito. The adults decided it was time for a little American time so we planned on taking Job and going back to the Next Door restaurant. Next Door is a beautiful setting right on the beach. As you eat the soothing sounds of crashing waves create a background of calming serenity. It’s almost just like taking a little vacation from the rest of the world. The five of us walked to the corner of First Junction to find a driver. As we arrived at the corner a taxi arrived and after some smooth negotiating by Job a price was set and we all loaded into the car. Job sat in the navigator’s chair in the front while Kitt, Monica, Brandie and I piled into the back seat. Brandie sat on my lap to give the other two ladies enough room. We had not gone more than 300 meters when the driver and Job started chattering loudly. I asked Job what was going on and he told me we were getting pulled over by the police for being ‘over loaded’. Quite rude I thought!
We pulled over to the side of the main road and the driver immediately came over to my door, opened the door, and asked Brandie and I to get out. Job got out of the car and approached the police truck with the driver, while Kitt and Monica stayed in the car. We were all a little nervous and confused as to what would happen next. The three men at the truck anxiously talked and we could hear their voices raise into rapid succession and then lower into a quite lull. After a time Job returned to us and said, “It will be fine.” The policeman and driver continued their discussion for some time while the rest of us stood by the car. After a bit the driver returned to the car and angrily said, “You must get another car.” He opened the other passenger door and asked Monica and Kitt to get out. Job asked the driver what was happening to which the driver replied, “He is going to take me to the station.” I couldn’t believe this man was going to be taken to the station for being overloaded. It was clear the driver had the same thoughts. As I thought about it, I became convinced the driver wasn’t being taken to the station for having too many passengers – but for another, possibly a financial reason – although this was never said.
In the end, we all slowly walked off as the police officer and the driver continued to argue. I felt bad for the driver…after all, he was just trying to make a living for his family and buy Ghanaian standards had done nothing out of the ordinary. I hope it all worked out for the man.
We decided it would be best if we got two taxis for the ride out since the police were patrolling. We arrived safely at the Next Door and found a table directly next to the balcony overlooking the beach. Such a calming affect. The food is good (not great) but the company and time to visit was great. We escaped the craziness of West African life for just a moment. After we were finished eating I walked down to the beach behind where we were eating. It was peaceful to listen and smell the ocean. After some time I decided to walk back up to the table. As I approached the table I noticed the girls (Monica and Kitt) didn’t notice I was coming back up. I quietly snuck my hand through the rungs of the handrail and reached for Monica’s back. As I pinched her back I let out a high squawk. I thought Monica and Kitt were going to fall out of their chairs. We all laughed and had a good time. I’m sure Monica will get me back at some time.
After our meal we paid our bill and headed for the main road to find a ride home. We’d promised the children we’d be back in time to tuck them into bed – and we were late! These kids hold on to promises we make with them.
As we arrived back at the house it was scary quite! In the nearly two weeks we’ve been here we’ve never heard the house this quite. Not even the older boys were stirring. We figured it was because the kids would be starting school tomorrow and so they must have went to bed sooner than normal. In any regard, we were nervous the kids would think we’d broken our promise. Brandie quickly jotted down a couple of little notes and slipped them into bed with the kids. We wanted to let them know we hadn’t forgotten them.
Back at the hotel we checked in with the kids back at home. It was so fun talking with them and catching up with what they’ve been doing. We’re missing them terribly and can’t wait to be with them soon. I talked with Mr. J again today to see if we’d be going to court tomorrow. He said it wouldn’t be until Wednesday or Thursday at this point. As we get closer to the end of the week it’s looking more and more like I’m going to have to leave Brandie here for another week. Something neither of us wants to do. She’ll be fine here by herself – Job and the other boys at the house will not allow her to go anywhere alone, they’re very protective of her – but we’d love to have her come home. We’ll wait to see what happens.
Until tomorrow!!
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