by phil | Aug 10, 2010 | Camels, Ghana, Stories, W. Africa
There is a lot to love about the Yas Guesthouse. First, the guests themselves. The flourescent light importers, the Saudi Arabian rice traders, the Malian couple that fight endlessly, the family of seven that stay in one room and use my doorstep as a playground. Then...
by phil | Aug 7, 2010 | Ghana, W. Africa
Tro-tros are privately run minibuses. They are crowded, uncomfortable and they break-down frequently. They are also incredibly cheap. Within a city, fares are a matter of cents. Every tro-tro has three components: a barely functioning vehicle, a driver, and a mate....
by phil | Aug 5, 2010 | Ghana, Stories, W. Africa
For the first time on this trip, I have experienced catastrophic, explosive diarrhea. This was inevitable. My eating habits have been reckless and I often purchase sachet water that tastes like dirt. Travelers diarrhea has various incarnations. Before today’s...
by phil | Aug 1, 2010 | Ghana, Music, Stories, W. Africa
As I mentioned in the last post, I was invited to a graduation. It was a private school, well-funded for Ghana, and they put on a ceremony that was essentially western, but with much more music and dance. Several hours of music and dance in fact. Most entertaining was...
by phil | Jul 29, 2010 | Ghana, Stories, W. Africa
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...
by phil | Jul 26, 2010 | Ghana, Music, W. Africa
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...
