High life in the official town.

The area where the [my] office is called Adabraka and the sign also says - OFFICIAL TOWN, cause that is where many offices are and official representatives are based at. It is sort of like the City in London. And today I joined the forces in the official town and am enjoying the AC room and buzz that goes around the office.

Currently I am ready to scream out loud - MY LIFE IS WONDERFUL! :) Listen to this and say that you do not feel at least a little bit like that :  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__HQGvSqZ5I.

I moved to my new place today, cant wait to go and get some house essentials today, such as, mosquito net, new curtains, bed linen, washing liquid for my clothes... house shopping! YEIII YEII! :)

And I keep meeting new people - the British couple, Jhonatan and Louisa, very nice and fun to be around, seems like today will the 3rd night in row that we are attending the same event. About to go for lunch with an American-Ghaninian girl and just met a Costarican in the office.... lalalalala

Off to lunch. Will report shortly on the food! :)


PART 2 [latter on today] : after spending a day in the office with MANY locals, it is just amazing!  Of course things do not get done here, as there is such a buzz going on all the time. People coming and going, using the office as their wifi center, which is not bad... but when some people use skype here, some watch vidoes, sleep and eat in the same room, it becomes a little bit remote from the term 'office'.

I mean, I like the environment for me as a newcomer, very welcoming, yet I can see that it might be a bit less fruitful as it would be in any other setting. Nevertheless, I am new and my judgment might be/is very wrong, the time will say!

Off to Alliance Frances for a kick - ass concert tonight! Party-outfit shall be worn and whiskey - coke shall be consumed before going there! heheh

Cultural differences. Lesson 1.

As it turns out, when someone tells you that you have gained weight, it is actually a BIG compliment here in Ghana! Meaning that your obviously has gone up and you are living it good. A cultural difference that got me a bit shocked and I was glad that I was explained it letter on in the day by Akua. This came from a girl in the office that I dont really know that well, but still if I wasnt explained it, I am sure I would have had a bad second impression of her and would look at her as rude and possibly think that she has a problem with me, which I did after she made this comment just after a min of seeing me! heheh

Otherwise, today was interesting in the sense that I took tro tro totally on my own and to new places, that involved me getting a bit more lost, yet I must say that going back home ran as smooth as for locals! I just need to do the route once to know the way! I am a fast learner! :) 

Oh, and tonight I was at this totally outstanding Jazz Concert. It was AMAIZING, under stars, green grass under my feet, lovely people all around and a music that sounds like a fairy tale. Hard to discribe. It was African Music Project and they join together different music styles and instruments making up a magical sound. [see the link for my video - sorry, still learning! :) ]

Day 4 and I am at the Expat party.

How unusual for me, to find myself at an expat environment so soon after the arrival to a new country. Nevertheless, I must say, it is also understandable, meeting looking to meet new people despite of their origin, as there is no doubt I will ever be able to be Ghanaian. I tried to convince some people in Spain about the fact that I am Asturias, but for that matter I should really work on my accent a lot more.

The even was nice, met some cool people, exchanged some numbers and I am sure I will meet many more of them here. Like for example tonight, going to Allicance Francai for Jazz concert! :) 

Lambadi Beach

Apart from that, also saw a lot of Expats yesterday at the clean city beach, where you have to pay 1cd to enter. A nice beach with white sand, some white-red people and laods of pricey beach bars! When you know that you can get red-red for 1cd  there is no need to pay 8cd. Just be hungry a bit more, dive into the market and go to the local food place! And to those speaking and having been to Latvia, these local places are somewhere similar to LIDO - you see the food, you choose and they you pay and find a place to sit! Must say thou, the service at  the Odu Rice in the Circle yesterday was CRAP. But hunger played by its own rules and feeding my patience, I stood in the quee and patiently waited and they ate the food with my right hand very fast! hehe

Gosh, need to get going...almost noon already! Bucket shower - DONE! e-mails sent - DONE! breakfast snack - DONE! book read - DONE! 

Note to myself: call Big Millys abd the weekend! 

Keneshi Police station - my new landmark!

I am moving to the next level of adapting to the local culture quite fast. Today I learned two new signs/hang gestures that symbolizes the direction of where to the tro tro or shared taxi is going to. Also connected dots and realized that to get between Henry's and Akua's house is easier, I would just have to walk up a dark/safe street for about 5 minutes! Right from the Keneshi Police station to the North Keneshi round about! ;) And I also discovered a nice bar next to my new home, which, funny enough is called the BIG BOSS! A lovely place and my plan is to make friends with the waiters so that I get double shot for the price of one! heheh 

It is so great, when things start to make sense. When prices are local rather than a price, which makes no sense to you! As part of my education today, I went to a local market with another CSer and this place was local, I mean it [Nima Market]. Definitely no obrunis [white people] and the dirt mixed with food, chaos and crowd... GOSH, what an experience! After walking behind and betweens some stools, we came to a dead end kiosk area, where the meat was sold. I was aware of the fact that I shouldn't perhaps enter it, but I thought it might put me off from eating meat for a while... well, I do looked at my piece of chicken for dinner and wonder if it also came from the same place! 

Do you about the health inspection and sanitary rules when it comes to food!? Well, my mom sort of teaches that and sets up these rules in Latvia... so I grew up in a very sterile household [I know, my former flat doesnt prove that thou heheh]. So here it was.. the raw meat just like that lying on a table that has been used as a chop board for decades and sure hasnt seen any water. So day to day the wooden table is being filled up with meat juices and blood, adding some heat and mosquitoes... WHAT A SCENE! 

Tomorrow is beach time for sure! :) 

Note to myself : palavi souce - me like it, red red = beans with rice, banana price - 3-4 per 50ps, papaya 1cs. 

Life works it mysterious ways.

Episode 1: Just when I was wondering what am I really doing here in Ghana, pastor Mensa Otabil wrote on his Monday FB update:

'' YOU’RE A CHILD OF DESTINY. You’re not here by accident; you’re here by ASSIGNMENT. Your conception, birth and life are part of a DIVINE NARRATIVE. You’re NECESSARY. You’re NEEDED. The world needs YOUR DREAMS…YOUR WISDOM…YOUR GIFTS. Don’t bury your talent. Don’t allow critics to shut you down. Stir yourself up. IT’S YOUR TIME. It’s your DESTINY. Divine grace and favour be on you. TOUCH THE WORLD WITH YOUR BRILLIANCE! ''

As I said, God works in his mysterious ways! :) I am child of Destiny. 


Episode 2: someone kept screaming 'Hello?! Hello?!' and I was wondering who and why is doing it. Till I come to realize that it is a lady selling fruits passing the house and getting people's attention! Just like the ice-cream machine in USA with its horn/jingles! :)




Episode 3:  being the girly girl I am at times, it is a challenge to live without a mirror and trying to rinse my curly hair in a bucket! Don't get me wrong - there is water and there are two hands, so there is a way - just a new challenge that I am yet to overcome and learn to use TV screen as a mirror substitute and just plunge my head in a bucket to rise my hair! [ create that image in your mind :) ]




Episode 4: tell me it is not Business Class couchsurfing experience, having to wake up and see a constant smile on the host's face, getting freshly made coffee in a French press!!!!! [ a rare thing here in Ghana, so you should consider yourself EXTREMELY happy to come across one here! ], being spoiled by being given the entire double bed and fan going on most of the day! What else could I wish for?! Thank you, Henry! [ ps. I know you will be reading this at some point! hehehe ]




Note to my-self: DO check the shower, it actually works! :) 

My first tro tro ride.

The absoulte benifit of staying with CSers aka the locals, is that you get to experience more local life in one day than 2 weeks being in country with an organisation, work on as a tourist! At 9am, in order to change money on a  Sunday morning, we hit down to the Circle [a big roundabout that has grown into a city's central landmark, since all the public transport meet there]. And me knowing that Henry wouldnt mind, instead of taxi we took tro tro! Gosh, I was surprised that thing actually could move, let alone get us to the destination. The entire wall I sat by, felt like might fall off any moment! Thou the ride is about 35 usa cents and magically gets peoples to places! So if locals can do it every day, so can I! :)

The same day, I also learned how to use shared taxi and that it is as cheap as tro tro in some cases, and one must wait when all 4 seats are taken before the driver takes off! :)

After exchanging some money, I went to meet my new-best-friend Akua, who is just a sunshine! I was so excited to meet here, felt like before a blind date with a hot guy! hehe :P She sure will be twisting my stay in Ghana quite a lot and you will be hearing about here soon!

Oh, and FOOOOOOOOOOOD: I got the ground nut [peanuts] soup with rice balls, ate with my right hand only and coped with the spices in the food like a pro! My first meal was at a nice side street off from Oxford st., in a placed called Duncan's bar. And the price  - once again - pleasantly surprising, only 2cs = 1,5$. Not bad, ah!?

Note to myself : try the Palm Vine! Mango season is starting in November. You are staying at Shara Rd 1st stop.... :P Akua lives near by Coco Clinic, North Kaneshi. Lambadi beach costs 1CS on weekdays and 5SC on weekends. Kakrobite is only 45mins from Kaneshi with a bus!

Do it the in the Business class! aka arrival in Ghana

It's technically already day two, since its past midnight and I just had my first bucket shower, and now sitting in a room with a fan in my PJ anticipating for morning to come and actually be in Ghana! :) I am back to bucket showers, water from plastic bags, fans and ACs, roads that do not look like roads most of the time and always having two things with me - misquote repellent and sun screen!

This is what I wanted, waited for last 6 months and planned the past two. I am in GHANA, can you believe it!? Still do not really know what I will be doing here, what will come out of it and where will it all take me! However, the arrival day sure has already been fun! :)

In London, on the way to the airport, with way too many bags to carry [ two backpack + huge purse with PC in it] on my shoulders, I lost my tube ticket and was worried that I might have to pay something to actually get out of the tube. Thou it once again proved that God is on my side and by simply explaining the situation to the youngest, cutest guards at the airport tube station, I got through! Luck on my side. Next I was upset that I had spent all my coins and have nothing for the push-cart, and would have to carry the bags all the way to the drop - off area. And it turns out that in the Terminal 5 - trolleys are for free! Good luck again.

The biggest joy was anticipating me in the flight! Having got a seat right in between two nice guys, I didnt even  mind being seated in the middle [ those who have flown with me, would know my obsession for ALWAYS picking front and aisle]. Nevertheless, our TVs didnt work. For none of us. The black guy on side sort of imposed that something is being done about it and so we were boosted up to the Business class! YUPII!!! It is not every day that you get to fly in Business class between continents. And I must say - it felt niiiiice! :)

LonDON, baby!

I am spending my last night in Europe, more precise - London! Gosh, what a week! If every week will be like that, I am sure I will need another holiday after these 6 months! heheh London is amazing. The OPTIONS, the change and adventure you can have!

Ok, appart from all the positive things, it is also very packed, rushed and crowded. A place that makes me tired too fast, yet I could see myself living in a smaller UK town not thus far from London, doing a work that doesnt require getting on to the tube and walking in the crowd.

Apart from me absolutely enjoying LND and time here, there is a stupidity I would like to report. A. Abusing the Free Bar at the company's party on Wednesday lead to some BAD hang over and some bad decisions, never the less also brought some new phone nr to my phone [ wink, wink].
B. Me almost missing the flight to Ghana, since I was convinced that I am leaving from Gatwick, but only today,when I briefly looked at my flight info and saw a thing like - Terminal 5- and locked it in my mind, latter on however thinking that Gatwick doesnt have so many terminals and after checking it out, I am due to leave from Heathrow! Gosh, what an idiot! heheh

Off to Ghana in almost just 12 h!!! Excited, high on life and meeting up with Annie [ my ex-housemate from Hull times] and vine!!! Last night in Europe - shall I sleep at all!?


LOVE LIFE!!! :)

Visa issue.

Woke up early from a random call from a stranger at 6:30am this morning and my every attempt to fall asleep was ruined by the animals in the garden. London can be green and Swiss Cottage/Belsize Park area sure has some green back yards, one of which was right behind my window.

Gluten-free porage [ note to myself : get some from LND to take with you to ACC, will remind you of home] and a cold orange - perfect breakfast with my ozzie friend Dean! And then... Ghana High Comission in London, which is located in a very nice are of the city. Green, quite and residential. Walking around there, could imagine myself living in thie hestic, crazy city.

Yet, spending 7h on the feet now and last 5h spent in the city centre, gosh - i need to escape London!!! :)

Anyways, back to the visa issue: THE EMBASSY WAS CLOSED and the fun part is that NONE of my GH friends had mentioned that today is a national holiday, their 1st president's Kwame Nkrumah's birthday. I am sure that some people would panic, think that its the end of the life. Instead, I smiled at the sun, and a man next to me smiled at me. I will just go back tomorrow and try to get the visa tomorrow, there isnt much I can do about a closed embassy! :)

And the man walked with me, we spoke and went out for a morning coffee at McDonalds. And it is not every day you meet a Ghaninian who has studied in Moscow and speaks Russian. And his kindness, smile and emotional inteligence reminded me of the many reasons why I have chosen to move to Ghana!

Off I go in 4 day! yeiiiiiiiiiiii

i think i'm in love.

You know that weird feeling when you have met someone you click after the first line and you just know that it will work out great. The so called '90sec rule'. Well, I think I met one of those today! : D

She send me msg over CS and just after glancing at her style of writing and then also reading her profile, I knew - thats my girl! She is like Ghanaian version of me, at least so sounds her profile and msg! I am IN LOVE with her, and can already imagine myself partying with her and having late Sunday breakfast, where we cover the previous day's happenings and encounters. Ma gal! heheh

I am so happy, that I am feeling like flying off to Ghana now, just to meet her in person and start doing all the fun things that two girls would do on a Saturday night!

African culture!?

Today, once researching on the Ubuntu idiology and academical research carried out in African continent I had stumbled upon terms like 'African identity' and 'African culture', which to me seem as broad as the Pacific Ocean. I mean, is there even such thing as 'African culture'?! Can a Kenyan link himself with a Moroccan?! Do they have a lot in common?!

The issue of common 'African identity' was linked with the post-colonial issue of self, but if such is the case, then similar identity could also be applied to the Caribbeans and Indians!?! Dont social sciences need any borders at all?! Can everything really be so broad?!

Two weeks to go. [This goes to all my friends-House Godesses]

Today is September 11 and nine years ago I was in USA, just grasping enough English not to understand what has happened until latter in the afternoon, when I was back home after school and my host mom explicitly explained what has happened. The magic words were 'The country is closed!'

Nine years latter, I am sitting in one of the most harmonious places I can think of - my Mom's beach house's kitchen, just lit a fire in the own, since it is quite chilly already. Another autumn has come unexpectedly fast and all I want to do is to bake muffins and make stews from the Julia Child's cook book. Autumn leaves have started to fill our yard and life today seems so far away from life in Ghana.

I will, once again, have to put aside my love for perfectionism and home sensation in the terms of having a lovely homemade meal, proper vine glasses and room that resembles holly home-feeling. And this is ok, cause traveling and moving to a new and exciting place is done for the sake of not getting bored of the home feeling and regular life, it is to feed my inner nomad and learn new recipes, new cultures, new believes and brake my own perceptions of how does a house look like.

I just realized that Julia Child did have the life I might be longing for - a diplomat's wife with the freedom to discover the local culture and have a purpose for her life. And yet, doubt that I would ever be the perfect stay-at-home-by-the-stow wife, mainly cause there is so much more to see and do outside the home! You need to leave to want to come back. I am leaving in exactly 9 days.