42 days left.

Just like once I started this blog with a countdown for moving to Africa, now I am doing a countdown for moving away from it...

I am left with 42 days in Ghana, at least for 2012, and slowly am trying to say goodbye to the magical morning moments, where I drive in the back seat of the taxi and watch Ghana happening on the road side... the colors, the children on their mothers' backs, the ladies that carry heavy loads on their heads, the palms...
I will always love waking up and seeing the green, lush palms against the blue sky. That is my all time favorite image of Ghana...

=2pi(x+y)^2

Life is like mathematical formula...

We kind have our formula, and then we just test with the value. The same as we have our lives, but we test with things what we can change in ourselves and in the world around us. By world around I literary mean the world around you. Dont try changing it as such [that would be like trying to argue, that symbol PI has different value than ~3.14...], but change your location in it. Instead of waking up and seeing concrete walls outside of your window, move to a place, where you will wake up with blue skies and the beach as your view every morning you wake up... Instead of seeing sad, grey people next to you, move to a place, where you can see people dancing on the street in colorful outfits with smiles on their face. Instead of being in an environment, where your body constantly is tense and stressed, find and move to an environment, where your body is relaxed, mind is at peace and you smile. On your face and with your gut!

I think I found my formula, when I finally stopped fitting into to the social frame, that I must be associated with one place and set locations brings happiness. It probably does for some people, but it does not for me... Location is my 'X' and 'Y' are the people around me, which really makes my life look like a mathematics problem.

So figuring out life, is a bit like solving math's problem... it is the challenges you face along the equation, all the formulas you try, till it comes to some logical result...but as you know, in some formulas we leave the unknown symbols 'x' and 'y' as such, without giving them value.  And that is the answer we had to find.. x and y, so we can multiply it by PI aka infinity. And the single result can still be different, it all depends on the value we put in as X n Y.

...just like with those views outside your window, it is you testing with the numbers in the equation, trying to find the value that best suits your test book!

Keep experimenting - you cant go wrong - if you have found your formula.

I think I have mine, the rest is just playing with numbers!

STOP - THINK - ACT

I found this poster in Zimbabwe in an office, and it made me smile and think of Soviet Union, where people often were facing various 

Things people need to warned about in Zim! :)

Visit Africa.

It is coming up to almost two years for me permanently living in Ghana. [See pictures by my friends Jonathan and Louisa in their HiddenPicturesProductions Home page  ] And when I say Ghana, I do also mean Africa. It is similar if I were to live in Latvia, it also means I live in Europe. For those living in Europe, we tend to expand our information bubble within the whole EU and know what is happening in neighboring countries more than in Asia or Africa. And similarly, my attention on the BBC web page is always drown to Africa, as it is my home now and it is important to know what is happening in the near by countries.

I admit that it is politically incorrect to say "In Africa this or that..." when I have only lived in Ghana, but I believe that my encounters with people from other African nations, local media and the fact that my every working day is lead by the time zone in East Africa, gives we some credibility to be able to say "..but in Africa!!!"

Currently I am in my hotel room in Malawi, drinking delicious Zimbabwean local grown coffee, packaged in simple plastic bags and hand written label. I am spoiling myself with chocolate made by a Belgian chocolate maker, who found his home in Zimbabwe more than a few decades back and using some local products is making chocolate that can easily compare with the Swiss brands. And am drinking it from a beautiful hand-painted cup by Rose Rigden bought at Doon Estate in Harare, Zimbabwe.


Just in 2000 (which to me, seems like just a few months ago) the world's media was obsess with showing only the negative image of Africa [or maybe that is all I noticed in the wide range of news coming my way]: the hunger, the dirt, the illnesses, the wars... It was portraited as "Hopeless Africa" by the Economist. And till today, I believe, one must look really hard to find the other side of the coin in media, when reading/hearing about African continent.

Me being me, I did not believe it is that bad. I dived. I came over and all I saw was - colors, happiness, people enjoying life. Dancing on streets, cooking together, sharing meals, rising children collectively... And yes, there are poor people. And verrrrrrry poor people. And many of  them are not blessed by with the place where they were born at - no clean water to drink, no water to water the plants and get something growing... and yes, there are diseases and wars. But there are also wonderfully creative and innovative solutions to all these problems. Have read in this Guardian article published this week :  http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/aug/26/africa-innovations-transform-continent  and visit the home page of the company I work at : http://www.esoko.com/ and you will see that, people do not just choose to die - they search for a way to make their lives better.

I constantly see happiness, joy and celebration in this continent (perhaps too much, as, I believe, Ghana has a public holiday almost for every month of the year). The amazing growth and creativity of African people - from Azonto Dance in Ghana, that was recently introduced to the world through a BBC report, to the very skilled African designers and African Fashion Week in SAfrica... To the same The Economist writing about the HOPEFUL African Economics a decade latter.

And yes there are a few idiots lets on this continent, skillfully using their people as marrionets and milking aid money into their big pockets... but, I believe, it also was the case of Europe a few centuries back, when people were less educated and had less rights...

Give Africa a chance and come and see the beauty of Zimbabwe's wildlife, visit Victoria Falls and stay at the a beautiful lodge... Taste Ethiopian honey, that the SLOW FOOD association has announced as one of the biodiversity sources and  honey collection trade in Ethiopia, as something than needs to be well treasured. Get Kente tailor made dress for you in Ghana... Try the benefits of Baobab seeds for your health or Shea butter products... Read the book of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and many other wonderful African Authors listed in the following link : http://blogs.african-writing.com/ivor/2011/03/29/a-must-read-african-authors-books-list/

Africa has so much to offer, that it should not be excluded out of your travel list, just because you heard that there is cholera outbreak in Sierra Leon right now or just because Kony in Uganda is EVIL, who does not see the bad behind his actions...

Africa has so much more to offer and there is also a lot you can give to it, if you once decide to take the leap of faith and en-devour on an adventure in Africa.

I would like to finish my blog with a quote from Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie who once said: "If I had not grown up in Nigeria, if all I knew about Africa were from popular images, I, too, would think Africa was a place of beautiful landscape, beautiful animals and incomprehensible people fighting senseless wars, dying of poverty and Aids, unable to speak for themselves and waiting to be saved by a kind white foreigner."

Single Sunday bliss.

 Dear friens in various corners of the world,

I hope that each and every one of you is doing well and restfully enjoys this beautiful Sunday. Turn on some lovely music, make yourself a coffee and shed a smile towards my way!

As much as I love people and find them fasciniting, wonderful and believe that each and every interraction has a purpose, there is nothing better right now than 24h on your own. With books, movies, phone off and : My world, my rules! :) Sometimes so needed, simple treatment, that doesnt cost you a fortune, like some massages or theraphy. The answers and strenght seems to be hidden inside us. 

Once again I have found myself in a situation, that challanges me EVERY DAY. And while I like it, it also sucks out a lot of enegry and joy for life. I start relaying on other people to make me happy. [And I have learnt it the hard way - it shouldnt be like that!]  This year is all about making myself happy, proud and balanced. To do it on my own and not replay on anyone. Become emotionally independent, if that makes sense at all.


I love my job, it pushing my boundries, makes me be creative in ways I didnt realise I can be and while every day seems like a battle, I know it is all for a reason - a lesson to learn! This is my chance to excel, to rise, to grow. And I welcome the challange with hands wide open! :0

Being Ediite

This week I hooked up on the TV series 'Being Erica', where a young woman gets the chance to go back in time and change her regrets, certain things she did, which then influenced her life in the present. Thou the moral always is that, reliving the moment, we would still be making a mistake - maybe not that particular, but something along the lines - cause human essence is inborn. So she keeps popping back and forth between her past and present, and really the only thing is that she learns through reliving her moments in past, is how to not repeat the same mistakes in present.

No wonder many people believe that we need to be knowledgeable about  history in order to not repeat the same mistakes. But really... look around, how many of us do it!? Don't we all make the same mistakes over and over and over again, till we learn the scenario by heart and start changing it little by little?

For a long time I believed that once the change happens, it all has to be GRAND - brand new! New place, new people and new me. I guess, I didn't accept myself the way I am and didn't see too well the person I can be. Despite all my self-confidence from the out, I was lacking it from the inside. And it is not easy to admit failures [oh, and believe I do have them ] or if I did - cause I did it, I felt proud about it and I guess I never really analysed them much. I just rushed over them and tried to put them behind, without learning from them...
[ Psychologists say that is something people, who experience their parents divorcing at an early age, goes through latter on in their lives.] And while there are thousand ugly things in my past, there are also million beautiful things there, which all together have me the person I am now.

And my journey is not over at all - I still do not know who I am or who I will become one day. But I am much more confident - in and out -, happy and 'together' person. I try to learn from my mistakes, but yeah... there are still times, when I..slip. :)

We are never too old to learn. To change.

This time - I am not running, I am sticking with the same country and making it work with the same people. It is not always easy and all clear, but who said life is easy! :) Just like families change shape over the years, so does life -it constantly changes, and only by loving these changes and keeping up with them, accepting them - we live!

Today I will change. I will walk to lunch! :)

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! ]