July 2010

Why It’s Worth It To Stay A While – A Tribute To Newtown Part I

by phil July 29, 2010 Ghana

When I tell Ghanaians I am staying in the Newtown neighborhood of Accra, I receive one of two reactions: elation, because they live in Newtown themselves, or shock, because Newtown and nearby Nima are known for thuggery. It turns out that some years ago, Newtown was a rough area. It was a place where “people [...]

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Games of Ghana and Some Hiplife for Your Listening Pleasure

by phil July 26, 2010 Ghana

The Newtown neighborhood of Accra is loud. Almost all the time. “Allahhhh Huuuu Akbarrrrrrrr” is every morning from 4-530AM (some mosques start late I guess). This is my alarm clock or my second lullaby, depending on when I plan on getting up. My first lullaby, which takes place around 1030PM, sounds like this: tro-tros calling [...]

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Leg Infection Part II (?) and Nana Boroo’s birthday

by phil July 22, 2010 Ghana

Five years ago, outside of a game reserve in northern Benin, I got a cut on my shin that became badly infected. From knee to foot, my leg was like a piece of rotting fruit. I became immobile, bearded, and completely pathetic. After a regimen of IVs, oral antibiotics, injections in my ass twice a [...]

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Music in Accra: Listening and Creating

by phil July 20, 2010 Ghana

Yas1 by lionsinthetiles Yas2 by lionsinthetiles 2 versions of original work made in Accra. Had to compress a lot because internet in Ghana is not cooperating. Go figure. Peace fm by lionsinthetiles To get a sense for what’s playing on the radio in Accra, this is a combination of two recordings from Peace FM. The [...]

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Bits and Pieces: Drawing Camels in Accra

by phil July 16, 2010 Camel Drawing

Spend some time around me and you will probably see me draw a camel. Spend some more time with me and you will probably see me try to get other people to draw camels. You also might have heard me mention my website idea: kidsdrawcamels.com. I regularly coerced my students (aged 11-roughly 17) into drawing [...]

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Visiting Ms. Piggy in Accra

by phil July 12, 2010 Ghana

After spending an hour and a half in two different cramped and dilapidated minibuses, I am looking for a shared taxi to my final destination: Beach Road. My first couchsurfing experience has led me to the western-most neighborhoods of Accra, Ghana. Dansuman, Shiabu, Beach Road. All three suffering from low-lying geography, recent rain, and a [...]

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