One of the guys.

Last night I went out for a BBQ at young couple's house, where the husband works for one of the European embassies! To be honest I had no idea what to expect, thou when I pulled into the yard and saw 10 nicely lined cars with CD plates, I looked at my jeans and decollete and got the msg, that I might be a bit out of the place. Bottomed up my jacket and marched into the garden.

And yeah, it was filled with kids, families, ambassador and the whole embassy staff. Luckily for me, it was super casual and people seemed very laid back. Got myself a drink, tried to mingle. Accidentally met the ambassador's wife, who turned out to be Colombian and spoke beautiful Spanish. Thou very soon my attention was dragged to the group of guys, where I knew at least two out of the 4 - my friend I cam with and the host. The other two turned out to be - househusband Argentinian gent, who recently moved here to follow his wife and a Irish - Serbian UN staff member, kind of drunk... like most Irish after 8pm on Friday!

Few hours latter, we were cracking jokes, talking economics and comparing the distances to our homes. Of course I meet some of these ppl for the 1st time, and they know each other. And just like all drinking - mates, they have inner jokes and code language. When they were about to reviel their codes, I sort of said - no need, for me to know it all! And the Serbian sort of looked at me with a smile and noted: "Oh, come on! You are one of the guys!!!"

And as welcoming and nice it might have sounded, he also did point out to the fact that I haven't joined or even met either of the housewives seated around the table, rather I am mingling with people by the bar, mainly working husbands and few working wives. And while it is cool and great, I just realized that I have set myself yet another challenge - to be the rare woman, feeling confident and comfortable among men. [And then there is that little silver line..between me being me and being seen as myself, and me being seen as single girl in the wrong crowd trying to flirt].

And weirdly enough, even in a European setting... there is the whole gender division and roles attached. Since I guess the expat community comes with expectations, that 80% of the cases its the woman that sits home, cause she is not allowed to work abroad and joins the table, where you talk about recipes and childcare! I can do it all, but I much rather talk about international aid, money devaluation, economical growth and travels.  Cause it feels that once you sit down by the table with the housewives... its hard to get back into the group by the bar!


...while being one of the guys is cool, its also a bit disturbing. Am I not loosing my femininity? Inst being one of the guys de-feminizing me? Am I still seen as a woman by the traditional sense? Or have I entered the place, where I thought I wanna be - among the guys/ the big players?

Ps. Thou.. they also say that males around you, bring out the femininity in a woman!

KFC in Accra

Ghana is a fast developing country, in fact some say that Nr 1 for right now in Africa. [Everyone has their own source of statistics - I can only speak from what I see, its growing in front of my eyes!] And while there are plenty of areas where people live in mud huts and have no electricity, or for that matter clean drinking water, there are skyscrapers being built, private jets and KFC!

Yeah, some people speak of development by the amount of American junk in the country [Latvia still has a long way to go, as to my knowledge we only have 5 McDonalds restaurants in the whole country as of today. The other franchise restaurants are European aka local.]. So Ghana finally has one and McD is on his way, some time next year! For my taste buts I would also love to have Taco Bell and Starbucks would be ok too - at least for their real wip cream! :) heheh

So anyhow, what is KFC ment to be [apart from overpriced junk food restaurant!?]? Its supposed to be FAST food restaurant, right!? Well in Ghana they have managed to kill that bit from the concept totally! :) Its FAST food restaurant by GH standards, which really is...slower  that when my granny makes 3 course meal!!!

Today, all I wanted was their cone ice cream! I got in a line with ONE person in front of me. And there are two people behind each cashier, which makes [I counted] 12 people in the area of about 4m2. I am guessing - about 2 or 3 of those people have an idea of what da fuck they are doing there and/or what it means to THINK and do! [Sorry, but poor client service really upsets me! Thx u, mom, by the way!]  So not only it took the guy 4 times to check and reorder the order that the guy in front of me asked for, but it also took him 3 questions to really make sure I want just an ice cream!!!

I guess....this will be one more place where I need to drink before I go there! LOL [another one is Immigration office] Or not eat the ice cream... OR send my driver to get me my ice cream! LOL

And yeah, I might be a spoiled brat and arrogant westerner, but when I am paying a price higher than in UK or USA, I do, at least, expect to get the product and service that should be included in the price! I wouldnt ever go at a street stand like this. Those ones...its either their way [gives enough timed to read like 4 pages in your book] or the high way [you go hungry]!  As simple as that! LOVE IT!

So yeah - let me take you out to KFC! :)

Marriage? No, thank you.

"People always fall in love with the most perfect aspects of each other’s personalities. Who wouldn’t? Anybody can love the most wonderful parts of another person. But that’s not the clever trick. The really clever trick is this: Can you accept the flaws? Can you look at your partner’s faults honestly and say, ‘I can work around that. I can make something out of it.’? Because the good stuff is always going to be there, and it’s always going to pretty and sparkly, but the crap underneath can ruin you." 

— Elizabeth Gilbert (Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage)

Everything happens for a reason in our lives. Everything happens exactly when it was meant to happen, down to the point, that you pick up the book you bought months ago, exactly when you were in the place, where the book was talking at you.  There are no 'accidents', at least that is what I believe in.

We end up studying what we end up, and even if we never ever worked a day in our chosen career, I bet you learnt something from those years at university. We move to places, where we are now and we are there, cause we were ought to be there. And we meet random people, cause every and each of them leave a mark in our lives.

So things happened and I met  Elizabeth Gilbert's book 'Committed', that I had been wanting to read for a year now [but I guess I wasn't in the emotional maturity and stability to do so].  It feel along with the time, when I have been hanging out with a group of married people. And just like 'healthy' organisms try to push out  or 'make healthy' the bacteria, my married friends in all their love and care for me, have been pointing out that I should get married, so that I can be much more included in their lives. [Like that is good enough, stand alone reason to commit for something for your entire life!]

Ever since I remember myself, I have wanted to be a mother. I have day dreamed, drawn pictures, dream maps... Me and many children around. Me and my child on a trip. Me and my child visiting my parents. Me sending my child to school... And nowhere in that picture I ever saw a man. He was in a very different picture. Me and my man. And I guess that just shows how rooted in my consistence is the fear of marriage, which is quite often associated with husband=father role. It's me looking for alternatives, trying to figure out how can it all work, so that I still stay me, but I have the two core characters in my life - my man and my child(ren).

And it's refreshing to read Gilbert's book and know that there are other people that feel like that too. It's refreshing to meet along  my travels people that feel that marriage is not the only alternative for happiness, and it's damn cool to meet people, who since centuries have been raised that it is the only way for happiness. They  make me challenge my choices, and by doing so, I become stronger in my arguments and more sure about my choice - marriage is not the ultimate goal for happiness!

Happy, healthy partnership, children, common dreams..all that is my happiness. I am happy and proud to be someones girl-friend, life partner, rather than a wife... Unfortunately, not only the role of stability and social status comes with it, but also sometimes the 'pity', that your life is all done and sorted. That you live by expectations and have a set role you have to fill... At least, that is how I sometimes feel about some women, when they state that they are so and so wives.

I once experienced, how personality, things that make me 'me', were taken away from me. How I lost my Ediitness. And I am not saying that it is what happens in marriages [but often it does, cause people expect to become one after the marriage. But they are not - they are still 2 separate people, with own pasts and futures, who have met in present and are sharing the road fwd], nor am I am pointing that it's what is going to happen in my marriage. I am simply saying that I have worked too hard to become Ediite, and have no intentions to become someone's wife.

And while the women of my family still often claim that they experienced their best years being married [even thou 90% of them are divorced now] and do once in a while ask me the magic question.. they also do not want me to make the same mistake and have a different life. No, not less happy, just less painful. Less delusional, a life where I also live for myself.

For God's sake - I still hope one day celebrate my love with that ONE MAN and promise to walk with him till the end of the world, carry his children and wake up next this one person every day for many, many years to come. It just doesn't mean he has to be my husband, I would much rather want him as my friend!

PS. And quite frankly speaking this my youth's idealism, might come running after me and bite me in the ass few years latter, as I walk down the aisle... but then again - NOTHING HAPPENS WITHOUT A REASON! :) 

Three Men in a Boat

Last Sunday, as unusual as it might sound, I found myself alone on an island with 2 men, I had gotten to know only few days ago. An Muslim IT engineer, who was fasting and Polish born German anthropologist, who researcher long distance commute in Africa.




There was this one episode, where I am lying in a hammock under a palm three in a deserted place, once a resort, another guy under a palm three few meters further and the third one swimming in  the river, under a hot Sunday sun! We called it the pleasure of 'nothingness'. For some two hours, we were listening to the ocean in distance [this is sort an island, between a river and an ocean on each side], swimming in the river and catching the rays of the sun [which turned out to be sticking to all of us more that we had anticipated - I turned in to RED RED by the close of the day, and two days latter am still heeling my skin!].




So the last weekend we headed off to Ada Foah for a weekend away from the city and into a local festival, whilst also enjoying some wild adventures - huts, sands, beach, boats and tro tros! Needless to say, that I no longer take tro tros, thou that does not mean that I cant take them anymore. Thou now I do see why my friends, how live here for some years, think that it is a bad idea. Tro tros can really kill you!

Rainbow religion aka my way of saying RELIGIOUS DIVERISTY

Yesterday I had to speak about the lessons I have learnt during my GAP year in Ghana [yeah, it looks like this is my Gap year, so far the best description for the time away in Ghana], and apart from the self discovery I have already described in some of my posts, I have also learnt a lot about the religious diversity we have in the world.

Back in university, when I was surrounded by people all around the world, I guess I was still a bit too young to dig the whole religion diversity card. I am not sure, I am ready to comprehend it all now, but I am certainty doing much better than 4 years ago.

For some of my world traveling friends, the religious diversity is as normal as for those living in UK, where you can see a mosque, temple and church on the same road. In Latvia, I am not sure we even have a temple and the only mosque we have, is well hidden in some 3 room flat, in Riga's suburb, as far as I know. Having been raised as atheist, where nobody ever talks about God, it is as interesting to discover everyone's diverse view on religion and how people speak to God, what God means to them.

I am not shy to say that I am new to this, I am still discovering my religion, and learning about other religions help, as it lets me to compare and use other religions as reference points. When I first moved to Ghana, I got to learn about the local people's relationship with God, their practices, when their masses are and what are the believes they share. How they morn and how they celebrate birth. Then there was a rapid insight into Muslim world, their believes, celebrations, foods... [One can argue that many of these things are more linked with culture than with religion, none of the less, culture is often very influenced by religion, especially that in the case of Arabs and Muslim religion]. Then  there is the Hinduism, which I never thought I would find here in Ghana, yet have been learning more about India now, that ever before [THX to my wonderful teachers]. And then there is also the tip of Jewish religion, that I am being introduced to...

And just like I was once pleasently surprised by the fact that you can get gluten free food in UK restaurants, I am plesantly surprised how religious diveristy is respected in Ghana. The knowledge who eats what, when and how, it's all being celebrated. At least in my diverse crowd of people, where we all join in for dinner after dark to share a meal and celebrate that day!

Life is too short to fight diversity, rather it shall be celebrated!

Today is day 2 in Ramadan, and I have a whole new respect for Muslims. I am proud I have learnt more about their religion and culture, to understand rather than judge. This year in Ghana has definitely thought me that!

Happy Ramadan, people all over the world!


To finish off, let me share an inspiring blog I found a few weeks ago:

Bon, I guess this post goes in line with the first tip I gave to a friend who's fasting in solidarity with her Saudi friends - which, I think it's really admirable and fosters mutual understanding across religions: Figure out what you're fasting for/towards. As with any productive venture, you need goals. What are yours? Hope you have a blessed Ramadan! Massalama my friends :) 

In a place I am not at.

You know how you can close your eyes and imagine a different place you are at. How the music, people, interior can easily transfer you to a different dimension. Lately my daily realization 'I LIVE IN AFRICA' has switched to 'THIS FEELS LIKE PARIS' or 'THIS MOMENT REMINDS ME OF USA'. Maybe it is a way my mind is trying to make Ghana to feel more like my home that it already is, by providing these 'pockets' and moments that remind of past.

...they say, that only when you come to your terms with the past, only then you can truly be in peace.


Three times a week, I teach this American lady Spanish. I go over to her house, and we sit by this big family dinning table, speak about life and also learn Spanish. She reminds me of my American hostmom, her home and life back in USA, as she describes it, makes me miss USA more and more each day. It has been 10 years now!

And there is something about the music. Just like smells, music reminds me of places... Bob Sinclair 'Love Generation' will always be my song for Australia, driving along the coast in a car with Maikle and his sons.

Alanis Morrison will always remind me of downtown Cleveland, the train rides between Shaker Heights and the city. Meeting Dominik and other exchange students in town for ice - cream...

Right now, Coldplay, inspired me for action to act upon the changes I want in my life! The kind of change, where I am here, but I am not!

Patience and CS meeting in Ghana

Over the many years I have been a CSer and have organised CS meetings around the world, depending on where I land am, it was one of the most challenging ones to organize.

Normally to organize a CS meeting, similarly like you would do it with FB events, you just set the place, date and send out the invitations to people. So it does not take a genius to make a meeting, but I guess it takes some guts, experience and basic knowledge of what is CS and why does it exist.

So about 2 days ago I posted a CS meeting for the day after, included the info, the idea of the meeting [aka simple drinks after work, where we rewind from the day and meet other ppl], time, place and directions... and my phone nr, in case people cant find us at the spot!!!

Mistake Nr 1: assumption that people actually read the invitation! Starting from 30min after it was sent, till about an h after the meeting [in total about 37hours], I got like 50 phone calls, mainly asking WHERE IS THE PLACE! And it is ok to ask, it is great they call.. etc. but when the 30est person calls with the same question, my answer turned simply into  CLICK ON THE LINK!!! They just scan the invite, find a nr and call!!! The use of phones v common sense! lol

Mistake Nr 2: The concept of the meeting. We had set aside an area of the bar for u, where to gather, with basic idea being- see you around after work for few drinks, meet and chat! One gentleman asked for a floor at one point and asked who is the chairman of the meeting and what is the reachable outcome of this meeting! I love the sudden efficiency among Ghanaians, but not at 8pm, with beers in our hands, when everyone is already having a great time. Bottom line - I had to give a speech! :)

Mistake Nr 3: By signing my name, people felt obligated to report to me, their ability to attend or when they come, with whom they would come, and even, when they wanna leave... I had like 3 ppl walking up to me after a few hours saying in clear English 'Mamm, I need [or want to] go home, may I!?' I felt like being a teacher again!!! heheh


RESULT: we had like 40 people in the span of 3h to pass by the meeting place, those who were in true CS spirit, met each other easily, exchanged experiences and chatted the eve away! The turn up was amazing, people chatted, saw happy faces, made 2 new friends... And am happy to do it again! [this time different thou]

Boy friends

There are all types of friendships in this world, but deep down I still believe that those shared by gentlemen are the most true ones. They always have each other's back, no matter what. They will give up their lives for each and kill for each other. For a brother. I have been lucky to witness such friendships and I have never gotten jealous, I am happy for those lucky guys that have them.

In Latvian we say 'Virs un vards', which means 'Man's promise' in other words, an unbreakable promise. And this is what I also often receive from my male friends -  much more respect and guys much more often keep their promises, than girls. Do not get me wrong, I have amazing girl friends all over the world, in every walk of my life... but another woman might not always put her friends first, she might have a husband, home, family to take care off... but man's promise is REAL.

Here in Ghana too, I have got amazing male friends. Yes, sometimes it is too much guys' talk, once I spend too much time with them, but there at least I know they will have my back no matter what! When we make plans, they will actually happen, unless I pull out. :) And it is often so much more easier with guys, much more simple. They need less for happiness. Simplicity = beer+mates  hehehe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61Vc46RbVOs

This entry goes to my Indian tribe, my Lebanese team and Egyptian back up here in Ghana! Thank you, guys!

Much love,
 your mate

Dzive Gana pec 10 menesiem seit!

[Jau ieprieks atvainojos par rakstibas stilu, bet garumzimes seit nav pieejamas]. 

Sobrid Gana ir lietus sezona, kas vienkarsi nozime to, ka laika apstakli ir lidzigi ka Latvija Junija. Ir dienas, kad list ka pa Janiem, tacu citreiz vienkarsi mazliet pasmidzina. Lielako laika dala vienkarsi ir apmacies un lidz ar to gaisa t ir noslidejusi lidz +26, kas cilvekiem, kas pieradusi dzivot konstanta +33 temperatura, sad un tad skiet auksti. Ari man ir mazliet vesi un biezak nesaju dzinsus un vakaros pat pakeru lidzi jacinu... Un vel lietus sezona izcelas ar savu skanu - daba ir tads klusums pirms vetras, tad ir vetra un tad atkal klusums... zeme ir padzerusies un var reproducet auglus. Un vardes, vardes, vardes! Vardem ir rieta laiks un ja sanak dzivot pirmaja stava, tiesam ir sajuta, ka tev pie gultas visu laiku kads skali kveeksht! Nereti ir naktis gruti aizmigt, klausoties ka vardes sasaucas pirms seksa! :) 

Gana nu jau esmu 10 menesus un pec savas pirmas vizites, kad pirmajas dienas pilnigi necietu so vietu un lidz asaram meginaju saprast, kas un kaa notiek, tacu pedeja nedela iemilejos saja valsti un pec 5 menesiem parvacos dzivot seit. Ar vienu somu, mazliet iekrajumiem un aptuvenu ideju, ka paliksu te vismaz uz 18 menesiem. Teoretiski tas ir pietiekami ilgs laiks, lai kaut ko jedzigu te izdaritu un ari pieklajigs laiks spridis, lai varetu atsaukties uz so pieredzi ari CV. 

Sobrid jau ir mazliet grutak rakstit par Ganu, jo viss nupat ir tik pierasts, kaut jateic, ka atgriezoties Eiropa kaut uz paris nedelam, kontrasts ir milzigs un atgriezoties Gana pec 2 nedelam Eiropa, si vieta joprojam spej mani parsteigt! Regulari, vismaz reizi diena, ir REALITY CHECK, kas apjedzu, ka es dzivoju Afrika!!! Lietas, kas mums skiet saprotamas, vietejiem skiet nelogiskas. Ganiesi nedrikst teikt 'NE' vai Tev sliktas zinas teikt, tadel, piemeram, kad darbinieki ir slimi un nevar ierasties darba, LOTI RETI KAD, darba devejs sanems zvanu no rita. Vini vienkarsi neatnak uz darbu un pec paris dienam atkal paradas. Te ta isti nevar ne uz ko palauties... 

Un tomer - cilveki ir super draudzigi, atliek vien iziet no majas un paiet 100m, lidz busi sanemis 4 LABRIITUS un Ka tev iet, 5 komplimentus, 2 piedavajums aizvest tevi lidz krustojumam un nereti ari vienu vai divus precibu piedavajumus [ja esi balta sieviete]! Tas ta liek pasmaidit, ka atlikusi dienas deva, kad stundu vai divas sedi sastreguma, jo atkal kads super parladets busins ir nospradzis pilsetas galvenaja krustojuma un klatesosas 10 masinas ir apstajusas, un soferi izkapusi pablaustities un saprast, kas par problemu... Vai kad darba ierodoties, saproti, ka visi interneta vadi ir parsprausti...jo apkopeja netisam tirot izrava visus stepselu, lai varetu kartigak iztirit. Un rezultata visi vadi ir salikti...ka nu pagadas, kas rezultejas ar to, ka ir jasauc tehnikis un jamaksaa atkal. Tacu ta jau vairs nav apkopejas problema - vina gribeeja ka labak! :) 

Ir daudz un dikti sadi mirkli, kad gribas kliegt un bregt no izmisuma, jo nekas neiet attieci ka esam pieradusi Rietumos... un taja pasa laika, pec darba iedzert alinu vieteja krodzina, kur kads ir izvilcis savu mobilo un visi viri pie blakus galda, kabatas lakatinus virs galvas vicinot, dejo. Vai piektdienas vakara, aiziet uz restoranu ar grillu un dzivo muziku, un kartigi izdejoties ar vietejiem, saviem draugiem un jauniem draugiem. Un dejo visi - sievas un viri, veci un jauni. Un dejo aktivi, dejo no sirds. Un tad pec dejas, aizelsusies uz mirkli apsedies, lai, lidzigi ka musu zalumballes, jau kavalieris atkal rautu uz deju. 

Un daba... ZALA, lekna daba. Koki, kalni, plavas, mezi, upes un udens kritumi, okeans... ik reizi, kad sadusojos izbraukt no pilsetas, aizsitas elpa no sejienes dabas skaistuma! 

Ir tomer verts sad un tad izkapt no savas komforta zonas un padzivot savadak. Izbaudit saules starus un tumsu ap 6 vakara katru dienu, 365 dienas gada... klausities varzu kori no sava dzivokla balkona un est gardas tilapias zivis, kas tikko no okeana izzvejotas! Un lauties but... jo seit laika izjuta pazud. Te nekad neko nevar nokavet! [ja nu vienigi lidmasinu uz Eiropu, kas nesaprot Afrikas laiku! :)]

Back to Accra Village

After some time in Europe [even thou that mainly consisted of lying on the beach or terrace at the beach house in Latvia], it is nice to be back in Accra and experience this cool weather. I had never experienced +24 in Ghana, a weather where I even feel ok wearing a cardigan. It's such a relief and different Ghana, all fresh, also a bit more quite and it feels that just like the earth is drinking the rain water, so are the people rebooting for new harvest season and yet another 10 months of endless sun.

Tawala by day

I got in Ghana right on my Name Day and following my own traditions, that July 5 ought to be something special, I put on my new, long, flowery dress and head out to have couple of drinks with my friends at the beach bar Tawala. Just some closer friends, plenty of MADINGO [local Campari] shots with orange juice and some juicy chicken, ocean breeze and chill! Its not quite like eating mom's made strawberry cake, but its the best you can get here!

Mural at the Tawala Beach Bar

Getting back to work has been a bit...slow. Since my car is still in garage and I am dependent on taxis, which I am not very happy about. On top of that, having been in Latvia for 2 weeks, despite the fact that had 2 power cuts there too, it is really annoying when the local electricity company ppl, who are working right in front of my office cant tell that they are about to cut of our wire for the rest of the day... so annoying! So pretty much most of my working time, I have been spending battling with internet people and switching all my electrical devices in the office from one phase to another, that runs on generator! Messy! Oh, and client service! Still, even those two weeks I was in Europe, Ghana has not improved! LOL 

But overall, it is great to be back and receiving endless welcome back msg and calls from people and I didnt even know I was gone! Off to my 1st night out since I am back, thou might change that into a BBQ party with my friends at home! :) And sleeping in tomorrow... 

ps. I brought radio from Latvia, and having music in my bedroom makes SUCH a BIG difference! 

Visiting homeland.

We all grow up and there is no pill against that. After years of coming back to Latvia just for holidays, I have started to see many peolpe episodiacly. Meaning - I see them every few months or years and have the general update on their lives, ofcourse things change. Many have gotten married or are engaged, some give birth to their first born, some are already sending them to school... and it is like I have been informed about all that, but cause I only see these things happening occasionally, it does feel like there is paralel life happening and time has different meaning.


And yet there is nothing as powerful, than sitting with my 3 child hood friends in a vine bar in the capital, all dressed up [some after work, some on holidays in Latvia] and chating about old times and current situation. All so grown up and beautiful, but most importantly HAPPY WITH THEIR LIVES. I am so proud with us! We all have gone and reach things we had not dreamt of 5 years ago. Five years is a a long period, as it turns out! :)

Few more days before I head back to Accra, where I have my life now, and I do wish I could stay here a bit longer and enjoy the birds singing in our beach house, reading Latvian books and having occassional visitors at the beach house. But I am me - I need more meaningful life, I need bigger space and area to go wild in and new things to discover. I still feel that there is much for me to do and learn in Ghana, before I head to the next destination. Therefore I am happy and sad at the same time, that my summer holidays are over. Next holidays to come is in December.

...but there is no other place on the Earth than Mom's home, where one can get freshly baked pie and a kiss on the cheeck - just because, for no reason. I will miss that in Accra.

What's next?

It has been a year since people around me started to learn about my desire to move to the unknown continent, a year since I decided to make a turn in my life. A twist.

Today, on my visit back in Latvia, a newly met person, asked me - what is my plan for the next two years, what is my plan after Ghana. And it is interesting, how everyone feels that it is yet another stop over and there shall be life after Ghana too. And fair enough - they ask it, cause I have the history of moving around, doing twists and turns, but I also find it a bit discriminating. Nobody asks my friends, who live in Latvia, are married and work, what is their plan after the next two years. Everyone assumes that it is - this is their life. Thou I dont think that it should be IT, there is a whole life ahead of us to live. And how on Earth can we plan it!?

So what is next? There is no NEXT... this is it - THIS IS MY LIFE I have chosen and created, there is no plan for NEXT, there is life filled with many, many NEXT that need no plan!

Ps. It is beautiful to return to past, to re-read my childhood books, to be restlest at parents' homes, to spend time with childhood friends and walk the old paths, but that is all just to have yet another kick-off before the next NEXT.

Inter-national dating etiquette

One bit of becoming an expat, is the fact that you also need to learn not only to adopt to the country you live in, but also be adaptive and aware of cultural differences you will encounter abroad, as expat community is like a miniature world, stuck in one city. So small, that despite the fact that you all live in a capital of 4+ million people, you still feel like it is a village.

Many people will disagree with me, but dating in expat community is close to impossible. 50% of people are here with their spouses, 10% have them home and they do not hide it, 30% have their spouse at home countries and they do not ever mention them, 5% are into local opposite sex and this leaves us with 5% single population in this small, small, small expat village.

Here in Accra, that 5% of population seems to have slept with each other on their 1st year here. Latter on, it is re-runs or a new country! ;)

Since the options here are low to nothing [we have Arab population, which we all know - will lead nowhere, then we have various Asian communities, which hardly ever speak English or come in as one person at the time, and then we have Commonwealth drunken bachelors, busy watching football and playing litre-ball.], I decided to challenge myself and go for the one continent I have not yet visited - hence Latin America!

Few Spanish speaking events latter over the last few months, spot on - I find one out of possibly other 50 members of his country here in Ghana! ;) We danced, met friends, had couple of drinks, changed bars, watched the sun come up... It all went well till the day after, when we were due to have lunch together, which never happened. Three days down the line, still nothing, which means - he is out!

The question thou remains - did I do something wrong? Does it require to sleep with a guy on the 1st night to actually get a date!?

Single, working girls do not live in OSU

At a recent dinner party, hosted at my home in Dzorwolu, we had a discussion with few more young expatriates, about where is best to live in Osu. And a guy, who has only been here few months, argued that Osu is THE PLACE to be, which also reflects on the rent prices in this part of the town (they are high). As someone working in the real estate in Accra, I could easily argue that it's not the case, since other areas such as Labone, Cantoments and Airport Residential beat Osu in rent prices, as majority of people choose to live outside of t he busy, central slum of Accra.

So who lives in Osu, once it's so hard to find an empty apartment and any sort of accommodation in a decent price? And what drags Expats to live in Osu, if you end up living next to a farm and are woken up by roosters [from personal experience - a friend of mine is renting a nice flat right in the heart of Osu, and no need for alarms - roosters are up and and about as early as 4am!!!] and never ending traffic on Oxford street!?

Well, I tell you, it's the single [as without their wives/gf in the country], working guys, who come here for contract up to one year or so! For anyone living in Accra beyond one year - they normally either get sick of Osu, traffic or rent prices, just cause u can get something so much better for the same price. Ofcourse it's convinietnt, as Osu is the one place in Accra that combines it all - shopping, dinning and clubbing in walking distance. And the traffic on Oxford st. is mainly caused by these lazy, single, working guys, who cant make the distance to Koala [a supermarket at the start of the Oxford St] from their serviced appartments, and have to drive there to get their can of beer of load of bread!


So where do all the single, working girls live?! Well...we have each found ourselves a value for the price in various areas of Accra, mainly 5 cedis taxi drive away from Osu. In a quite neighborhood, where we can go for a coffee with our gfs on Sunday mornings and buy own fruits on the way home, without getting out of taxi or car! :) We live in Dzorwolu, Airports, Achimota, Labone, East Legon - cause somehow we are better at planning, less lazy and...well u name it, that is who we are!

The bottom line is thou - SINGLE, WORKING girls do not live in OSU! [ps. some of them work there and party there...but that is it! ]

I am not marriage material for an Arab!

Yesterday, I found myself super tired after a semi-bust working day and mostly, lacking the AC at work, so loads of sun and too much heat! And yet, after my Twi class, I had agreed to meet my friend in a pub for a drink - just to catch up! [we hadn't met for 2 days at that stage! :) ] And its just nice to be a in English pub, run by Indians, with local staff and clients, after work, finishing the day with a beer and then off to bed! A thing I have always missed from UK, but being in an ex-British colony, have managed to reestablish in my daily schedule. This is not to say that I am off to pub every day, but I guess at least 3 times a week I am in my regular spot, drinking my regular drink, with my regular waiter and my regular friends.

'REGULAR' is a new words in my life, but much needed after a lot of changes and uncertainties. Home, traditions, REGULAR are all very welcome in my life at this stage!

Anyhow, so yesterday I was sitting in the pub with one of my Arab friends, happily married for almost 10 years, with kids etc. Talking about life and everything, and somehow touched upon the issue of marriage. In his opinion, one can only, truly be happy with someone from their own country - culture. To which I was opposing, since the image of me with a typical Latvian from Latvia - freaks me out! [Sorry, guys! :-)] [Thou having read the book 'Latvians are everywhere'/ 'Latviesi ir visur', I hope to ran into some proper expat Latvian here in Ghana that is looking for a wife! :) ] The bottom line was - he said that I would never be happy with an Arab guy, just like an Arab guy would never be happy with me as a wife. I am not marriage material for an Arab! :) hehehe

And I see the point and quite agree with that, and not opposing this one, just wanted to share this with you, since this comment really showed me his honesty and how he knows the strength of our friendship to say that and know that I will accept it rather than being upset.

This got me thinking yesterday and this morning, would I really be happy as a housewife?! I mean, I love the idea etc., but in practice - how long could I possibly stay at home and now network and not meet new people!? I am outgoing, social, bubble person, that will walk to a person and introduce herself, if I want to! And I know that in some cultures that is acceptable, the wife or gf can do that and there are no agendas or worries to such encounters. They are loved for who they are and nobody has to change for the other person.

Keeping oneself as he or she is and finding the other match that will MATCH.


Bottom line - if Arabs are not quite the marriage material for me either, they are definitely amongst some of the most honest, helpful and trustworthy friends.

European in Ghana aka Ediite is back from holidays

When there is the quite hour at work [which is pretty much any time between 9am and 5pm] and I have time to just stare out of the window into the Ghanaian life [my office has a huge window as the front wall, and it's on the 2nd floor], I am hyper - happy about my recent past and return back to Ghana. And I see couple of mistakes that Europeans do upon arrival in Ghana, which does not exclude me. I am surprised about that, as I consider myself knowing the local norms and customs, but 17 days in Europe can wipe them all out and the excitement of being able to wear only one layer of clothes, takes over.

I am lucky with the fact that I live with another European, who hasn't been in EU for a while, which makes her much more reasonable and logical than me and basically I have my own ethical and dress code radar, which I love to bits! :) Yesterday she saved me from going to work in see through top with just bra under it. Of course when you unpack your new set of clothes and are actually able to wear them, you just want to do it... forgetting what is the purpose for you dressing up this mornings [in yesterday's case it was - work]. Today I almost made the mistake of putting on my mini-skirt, which is very smart idea if you are ready to face extra attention, but not quite the most practical thing to wear in tro tro and on the way to work...

Other mistake I just did this morning - turned on my AC in the office, which is something I do rarely. This morning thou, my mind sort of thought - I have it, lets use it! My mistake, now I am cold and sneezing. Stupid European, me! :) 

My mind really needs to practice life in Ghana a bit more. 17 days in Europe has harmed it! :)

Live with no regrets and love with no excuses.

Over a week back in Europe and I sometimes catch myself looking at the world around me and thinking 'I am really here'. It's our last night in the surreal Alpine holidays, up at the 2km height in the holiday apartment. Bags half packed, kids sleeping and U2 singing 'I still cant find what I am looking for...', peace and harmony. Getting ready for the 2000km ride accross half Europe. A normal thing, some people do on a weekend! :)

One more week to go. I miss Ghana already, especially now, once I know that it's Friday in town and girls are all out and about! :) It is so nice to get calls and mails from Ghana, feels like real home! :)

hugs & thx

ps. If U2 still hasnt found what they are looking for, I think I have... :)

Paradigma of House Goddess anger

I bet that most House Goddesses do not get angry too often. Instead they enjoy their life as much as I enjoyed my day
today, being back in the role of House Goddess in the Alpine village. It is my perfect holidays and meditation, that allows me to read a book, whilst watching the mountains, cooking food for many people and taking care of a child aka hear him playing with his ego in the corner of the room and occasionally getting in my lap for a hug!

I notice a little bit of frustration only at the end of the day, when I had cooked soup and casserole, and salad...being angry at my family for a.going to do food shopping without me and b. being late [thou they never said when will they be back, I just made an assumption]. So analyzing these emotions, I noticed that anger [mine and not only mine] might be coming from A. self madde assumptions and B. not for them being late, but for the food going cold!!!

Either of the reasons are stupid and anger should not exist!

Recepie for traveling with Latvians

To have a wonderful Latvian holidays in Austrian Alps, one should rent a min-van and set off 48h before the begining of the holidays, cross at least 3 countries and spend a lot of time listening to the same CD. Make sure that the van is loaded with : people [ preferably family members, but can also be friends, work colleagues etc.], skis and many, many, many bags. THE MOST ESSENTIAL thing is FOOD [cause you never know if there will be any in the Alps after the 48h drive and cold winter]. Pack at least a box of granny's made jams, pickles and mushrooms, 10kg of potatos, box of beer, 5kg of smoked meat, onions, garlic, sugar, rice, semolina...basically go in a shop and get one of everything. Make a lot of sadwiches and make sure your wife also cooks some meat balls for the road, peals and cuts fresh vegetables, and packs all the cutlery, glasses and plates!!!

And once you finally reach Austria, which is the destination country [despite the fact that you still have to drive for about 600km], visit local supermarket and get vine and more beer...and start drinking and make sure that even the driver gets some drinks!!! Be merry and keep a positive mind, even when you realised that your booked holiday appartment is far up above the city, on a tinny mountain side road, with 3 bedrooms and one bathroom for 8 people.


I had forgotten for a while, what it means to travel with my family on a skiing holidays! Every meal is like Christmas dinner and the general idea is to be keep the alcohol level in the blood even at all times! :) Start a day with a glass of champagne and you will have a sparkling day! I might miss breakfast tomorrow! :)

Drag queens and orgasmic Vienna.

We (friends and family living in Accra) always say : "Only in Ghana will you...", when we experience yet another unussual situation. Well, on I can say the same about Europe.

As I was shopping for my shoes in London, an elderly in a suit man walked in, holding La Senza shopping bag and looked around for the shoes. He looked around, picked up a few shoes and really was taking his time. I was wondering, what would he do on his own her in female shoe section, my naive ideas included he is shopping for his wife, who maybe is unable to come to the shop (and yet able to wear 4inch shoes heels???!!!!) or something like that. Then he asks the sales person to bring size 10 and he will try them on..once again, I thought, of so kind, they have the same size with his wife. hehe He puts on both shoes, pulls up his trousers so that I can see his perfectly shaved legs and walks arouns, and asks me for an advice as to how these shoes look on him?! And then he adds "I have a receptoion tonight. I want to look nice!!!" To which I can only answer "Oh, (sistaaa :) ) I get you, me too - have to go to concert tomorrow, need some nice shoes! These ones look good on you, just be careful - they are super slippery!" The gentelman buys the shoes and on the way out wishes me a good concer and a trip.

Only in London will you shop together with 60&co old drag queen!!!

A day latter I stepped out of undergroud station in Vienna,  despite the fact that it was raining cats and dogs and I obviously only have what I could find in my closet in Accra on me (that includes the tights experience. Tights and jeans!!!Jaiksss.), I smiled and wanted to jump around. I probablly looked like an idiot in the middle of the square, admiring the buildings, streets and people. I did feel like if I was from Africa. The simple things of a clean, paved street or proper windows and more than 3 stories buildings. Museums hand reach away and line of shops with seriously ORGASMIC shoe and dress choices!!! Spent WAY TOO much money on some super cool outfits and cant wait to go to Polo Games, Citizen Kofi, house parties, beach... to wear them all! LOL

But for right now- I will go back to my royal breakfast, prepared by my loving friend Martin and his gf, will endulge in some cheese and ham, coffee and jams... Life is wonderful and amaizing, when you are Ediite Millere.


:)

~What it means to be loved in Ghana~

Kobby (Ghana) - also known as my Safety Blanket/Home and Contact Person

 There are different forms of love I have experienced in Ghana. All of then include a lot of caring. I was being cared for, when I first got here and was lost with what is what. I was cared for, when I was ill, I was cared for, when I was homesick, I was cared for when I got high on weed for the 1st time! This love also includes a lot of companionship - all the parties, weekends away, dinners, walks, teas... Just like I can talk for hours about my friends in Latvia here, I am sure my friends in Latvia will be hearing a lot about the friends in Ghana! :)

Meet Louisa and Jonathan (United Kingdom)- otherwise known as My Family

Meet Victoria (USA/Nigeria)

And half a year down the line, I once again realize, that I have managed to pull around me a bunch of WONDERFUL people that make my every day here in Ghana - so much more worthy! Meet some of them. (In order of appearance in my life! :) )

Susan (The Netherlands)  - also known as my 

Meet Alaa (Egypt) - also known as Best Friend

Meet Beija (France/Morocco) - also known as my Sistaaa

Meet Pamela (Argentina/Australia) and Tony (Lebanon/Universal)

Just cause I look soo bloody good in this picture, meet Pamela once again :)

Today I am going off to holidays in Europe for 17 days, and the past 3 days I have been drinking teas and having lunches with different people, like if I am leaving for months! :) It is soooooo super sweet, when you get a desperate call at 8am and a friend is insisting that we shall meet before I leave or that they will take me to airport, which is like 10min away from home! :)

And then there is also the other side of the world - with friends preparing for my short visits in London, Vienna, Riga and Amsterdam, arranging logistics and asking what would I like to have for my single meal in the country?!

It is mind blowing, once again, to realize how WONDERFUL IT IS TO BE ME!

I love the world, life and people around me!


THANK YOU ALL for coloring my life! :)

Ces Petits Riens

I was in Togo some while ago. Escaped the rush of Accra and entered the absolute peacefulness of holidays with a friend in a foreign country. Enjoyed a lot of jazz, a lot of vine & cheese, a lot of sun and fun. Lome is something else  - smaller than Accra, more cultured and French speaking.

Those were happy days. And this song is a reminder of the peaceful, happy Sunday morning on the beach, watching the life happening in front of our eyes and being in peace, being happy for just being. Trips like this one, remind me - that '[Paradise] is not some place you can look for, cause it's not where you go, it's how you feel for a moment in your life. And if you find that moment, it lasts for ever.'

Thank you.

Picture perfect.

There is no such thing as PICTURE PERFECT. I wish I could say 'but', but there is no 'picture perfect' in this world.

A dear friend of mine, enviromentalist, life loving, healthy guy was always looking for the THE ONE, adored children and could not wait to have a family of his own at the age of 34. He met a girl, fell in love, followed here to different continent, found out she is pregnant, got married, had everything set out for a PICTURE PERFECT life and then the baby daughter died few days after she was born.


I once met Prince Charming, fell in love and had two amaizing years with him in my life... moved together and it all fell apart.

Bought a beautiful dress, but on the 1st day wearing it, realised that they had left the security tag on it - so had to tore it off and the saw the dress. It was no longer the perfect dress.

I had this Picture Perfect moment on a beach recently, when the one person I felt most safe with, as holding me as he read his book out loud to me, and the sun was playing with my skin... Far away from the world, just us. Picture Perfect...but I was lying there and thinking - what da fuck, I am seriously fucked up.

 Now I am sitting on the bench and thinking about my lesson learnt:

When ever it gets too perfect - enjoy it, cause it will not last! 

TGF - cosmoclock in Ghana!

Connecting dots.

I guess we are live in our Bubbles, until we someone bursts it, we are forced to step out of it or simply - life happens! Adding me living in a Bubble and meeting a soul mate that tore me apart, hurt me and made me get better...

I am like newborn in this wonderful country of Ghana! I had lost my positive touch, and so Ghana had turned mean to me. As soon as I put my smile on, I glow and all the taxi drivers are nice to me. I get everything I need and keep gloving! I cant believe, that I had been denied this feeling for a while and it took only few months for me to loose it and few painful, depressive weeks to put it all back together!

So new improved Ediite 2011 - is happy inside and out. Has a glow and smile. A nice job, she likes more and more, lovely, new apartment and fully equipped life in Ghana! I feel best then million things are going, when my web broser has more than 5 pages open and when I have at least 3 phones in front of me... I like to keep a calendar, be busy with things and people that make me happy. And yet also have a space for surprises.

Like last night - met my dear friend's husband, who is visiting Ghana for work and realised that Ghana has a different side, that I had been ignoring and denying wanting to know! I want to know it all! Met some cool people and connected dots as to what is what and who is who is Ghana! Really helped! :)

I am  now officially on sparkling FANTA COCKTAIL diet, working on my tan and abusing the fact that the company I work for, also has a SPA in my office building! :)


LALALALALALAL Ediite is happy!

Bubble.

I live in a BUBBLE. And I know why - it is safer there! Just like it was safer, less complicated in mom's womb.



Today, when it felt that the sky is falling, I came to the only place available for me in Ghana, where I felt like in a safety BUBBLE. And after few hours of tear wracking conversation with family only, seated in the Bubble...I am feeling much better now. The BUBBLE gets quieter and quieter as the down comes closer, and still - it is the only place I felt safe at.


Thank you is not the word in this situation...

'Safety blanket'

I keep telling myself to suck it in. Quietly to sit on my bed set and wait till its over. I tried. I even pretended for few days. I really tried. This morning I bombarded, exploded - I do not like GHANA anymore. It is too unsatisfactorial. Everything and everyone drives me crazy. I do not have any comfort of the familiar anymore.

Have got one person here that I know for almost a year now, currently sitting by his side and typing this...feeling like at least here, in the AFS office, the world is safe and Ghana is not mean to me. 

I am lacking familiar things. Things and people around me, change to soon. I do not have the chance to attach myself or maybe I do not do it on purpose. Not sure. Either way, I am missing my 'safety blanket', not even sure what or who it is. Lacking to be understood and supported. [don't get me wrong, I have amazing friends and I have not yet spent a day on my own, but it is different.] For now, my safety blanket is my friends hoody. Something familiar and comforting...


but what happens if I have to take it off at the end of the day?

It sucks.

It all went so well today - everything was working out and I felt like a superwoman again. Landing jobs, signing up for classes...and on my way home, I felt a bit wobbly, dizzy and my body was in a lot of pain. Got home, collapsed on the sofa and watched how my fever rose. Got taked to clinic, which was closed, got fed and tried to sleep... 5 hours latter, I am still sweating and feeling ill, hopping that it is just some 24h flu, rather than the evil malaria. It would suck.

I mean it sucks alredy  - to be ill, sweaty and weak. Feeling new pain in different muscles every few minutes. Lets hope that the sleep will heel me.

In Latvia, we believe, that when you get ill, your body says to slow down... I m just not quite sure what should I take a brake from at the moment? Emotional brake down? I would love to be able to take a brake from that.

Wish me luck and off I go to bed.

Another wish came true. I am going to be a student again!

My friends know, that for years I have been applying and getting into the Amsterdam University, but every time I chose a different option. I had Amsterdam on my dream map last year, in the center, thinking that in August 2010 I would move there and dive into the academic life along with other MA students from around the world. Instead I ended up in Ghana.

Last week I got an e-mail from Brussels, promoting Human Rights education online course and call for participants to apply for scholarships. I pondered on the idea, read about the course and applied. I was aware that it is lead in cooperation with multiple institutions, but did not know that lead professors and couches would come from AU.

I got it. I got accepted last night and in the welcome letter I recognized the AU logo! ;) So after almost 3 years of thinking about AU, I accidentally am studying in it! hehehe Not for long, but long enough for me to power up my brain with some 'brain food', challenge myself and people around me and dive into something new. It is an intense 5 weeks course online on Global Education with focus on how to teach Human Rights. Despite all my twists and turns, I believe I will always stick with Intercultural and Global education, one day being the power woman of a big international NGO! :) (keep sending me the job offers, if you see any! )

Life is full with mysteries and surprises, when you least expect something, this is when it hits you! I love it!

Keep dreaming and wishing, and one day all of it will become a reality! :)

Natural disasters

I sit here in Ghana and every week, mostly via my friends' updates in FB, find out about new natural disasters, that strike the world. Every week a new region is hit with something and people are killed. Where there are no natural disasters (Australia, New Zealand ), there are protests. Where there are no protests, and idiot decided to kill someone for chewing the gum too loud (in France) or eating popcorn too loud during a movie (in Latvia). Lives are taken away and people are left in sadness, sorrow and pain.

I am very lucky in that matter, I come from a country that has a pray incorporated in it's anthem and many people believe that it protects our small country from natural disasters, that we are safe (unfortunately nothing will ever protect us from idiots leading the country). And here in Ghana, which is considered to be one of the safest and friendliest countries in Africa, I feel safe and blessed. Even when at night a taxi driver is taking me home in his hardly-moving, self made car. Cause he droves me up to gate and makes sure I get in the yard, only then one would pull away. (Of course there are occasional idiots, that complain that my street is too wobbly to even enter it, but in that case I enjoy the night walk pass the lit gates and palms on our street, wondering if the stars and moon look the same in Latvia. It is all good.)

And yet, what is happening around me in the world leaves me wondering what is going on in the world. It is not like I just started to think about it now, simply have been a bit busy and lost in the admiration of Ghana. But what is going on? Is there more we can do?

I am worried, mainly because I am very aware of the fact that I do not live in a small community, but the world is my home and a lot of these things are personal to me, since many of my friends come from the countries mentioned above. I sat through the revolution in Egypt, I prayed during the tsunami in Thailand in 2005, I read updates on Australia every day... it is no longer a far far place for me, it is something that means. It is personal. And yeah, sometimes I wish it wasn't, and I could just not care... but I do.

Awsome foursome

Last Friday I went out with my girl-friends in Accra. It was such a great night - to eb surrounded by inspiring, independent and confident women.

We met at 9pm, some dressed in black, small dresses, some in other small dress - ready to experience a night out in Accra, without our boys and much clue as to where the night will take us. I am happy I manage to surround such people and experience new adventures with them.

Louisa is young professional from Britain, with backgroud in Sustainable Banking and future in documental film making in Africa. She was my 1st girl friend here in Accra and my closest person, through a lot of happy and rough times.

Victoria is dynamical, with an aim and clear action plan on how o sucseed. She is urban developer from USA, with roots in Nigeria. She is up to date with 'brina food' events in Ghana and always feeds my mind with some interesting topics.

Beija is my newest gem, French - Morroccan woman, currently looking for a job in banking in Accra. I found her on my sofa one evening, since she was my new housemate. And now, I can not imagine how it would be to live without her. She is a bunddle of fun, confidence and 'witch-bitch' advices, when it comes to 'how to kik a boy's ass!'.

Love them all, every and each of them brings a lovely touch to the crowd and if I could have my 25th borthday once again, I would love to have celebrated it with them last Friday!

Maybe I should consider to celebrate my 25th n two months b-day, this Thursday?! :P heheh


Life has a whole different meaning, when you have inspiring people around you!

Thank you girls, for bringing the good memories of girlfriend hood back to me!

Be thankful, but do not expect

I am still amaized every day, when people are kind to me. There are mean people and generally every one has their own problems and worries. And no matter where on earth are you, it is all the same - we all look out for oneself. And then there are few acts of kindness and pure love.

Recently more and more people step into my life with kind hart, will and power to help me. And I am still amaized by the fact, I am honored and touched that there are so many of them that want to help and do not ask anything in return. I had forgoten how nice people can be after when person had hurt me. It shouldnt be that way, one person should not poison the beauty of human race! :)

Today a friend of mine, sorted out my PC - called his mate, arranged it to be fixed. Another friend in the office gave me a hug out of nowhere. My best friend - once again, managed to make me smile, helped me to realised that I am an idiot when it comes to relationships and left me feeling, that I will learn from my mistakes one day and it  all willbe true.

I am blessed with people around me, thank you, God.

Reminder to myself in the pursuite of happiness

The five simple rules to be happy:
 

1. Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.

2. Free your mind from worries - Most never happens.
3. Live simply and appreciate what you have.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less from people but more from God.

When there is no electricity in the capital city.

When the whole capital has no electricity, cause the main power station is doing some servicing, people live on generators, do not go to work and/or do not feel that it is a big problem. I mean for once - it is not their fault, they cant do much and for the second - if it is hot and there is no electricity, it is perfect excuse no to work! :)


Luckaly for you (cause you are getting this blog entry), my office has generator and I can even power a BIG fan, that is blowing my hair, curtains and everything else that does not have a phone or a stone on it! Lovely.

I am just a bit concern - in Europe if such thing would to happen, A. it would be done at night, B. IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN! C. If it happens by accident, due to storm or something like that - well, then we all lit candles and buy batteries. hahah But Ghana is Ghana. It is unique in all possible ways. At least now I have one more topic to talk about with the lady selling me lunch! :)

Friday is here, which means - Ediite is about to relive the moment of Sex n The Town with 4 girls, hopping 5 bars tonight!  Excited!!!

Various celebrations in Ghana - life is all about parties. It is!!!

Latvian Independence day on Nov 18th!

25th b-day! An adventure on its own!

Kate visited me for a few days and we celebrated X-mass together!

New Year in style with new friends!!!

1St weekend of 2011 spent in a 4star BB - I deserve good things!

Harmattan* or how not to dry out in Ghana.

I personally kept mixing up the two words - Harmattan and Ramadan, sounds similar, ah?! Well, it is Harmattan time in Ghana and every one and everything is drying out and trying not to die from the dust in the air! Literary, if you leave your book on the table in your living room overnight and then pick it up the next morning, you will be able to see where your book was! This is how bad it gets! Min 3 showers a day, if you can afford it, constant feeling that your eyes are drying out and your throat is itchy. Not a nice one, I tell you!

In past, when people would tell me about the dry season, I imagined that it is something like - very hot weather and just no rain. But no - dry really means dry! Your lips are dry most of the time every day, laundry dries in no time and dust is everywhere! I think I might need to vacuum clean my PC.