The kids just finished revision week, meaning there was even less order in the JSS than usual, and are taking their English exam on Monday. Maybe. There's still rampant copying, football during breaks, a lady in a leopard print skirt selling peanuts (groundnuts) on the steps outside. Cameras at both the JSS and especially for the younger kids who hang around outside PUSU are a big hit.
Last weekend we went to visit the other United Planet volunteer site in the eastern Volta Region; highlight was an overnight in a mona monkey sanctuary. Next week is more adventuring to the north, hopefully toward the elephants and largest outdoor market in west africa.
Probably no internet until the big return to the big US, but I'm sure make-up posts will follow. 2 weeks left in Ghana. See you soon!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Saturday, July 5, 2008
National Holidays: yours, mine, and ours
I'm not sure what Republic Day is; neither, apparently, are any of my aquaintances in Putubiw. Regardless, July 1 was a national holiday, a day off from school, and cause for a long weekend. We spent another cloudy weekend at the beach: gray sky, slate ocean, white waves. Green Turtle lodge was all open with sand replacing flooring, had round outdoor showers, self-composting toilets, musty tents, great food, and a quiet location on a gorgeous beach. Lots of walking and reading in the dry corners of the central lounge.
A short week of teaching was as eventful as the others. On Thursday and Friday, Rebecca and I were the sole teachers at the JSS until the religion guy rode up on his bike well after the first lesson was finished. After friday classes, we went into Cape Coast to take a van to Accra for the weekend. We met up with a dozen other United Planet volunteers in honor of the 4th of July. Our Nepalese country director took us to an Irish Pub in the Ghanaian capital for American Independence Day. I guess that works. It was certianly fun. and the kareoke at the sports bar that followed was equally unexpected. Maybe next time we'll try to introduce Putubiw to fireworks and s'mores.
Some days Putubiw smells like roasting marshmallows, followed by burnt popcorn. These are the days they burn the piles of crushed sugarcane stalks. In the hours preceeding the aromas, the puttering of the old motors that press sugarcane reverberates off of the clinic and houses at the bottom of Putubiw hill. That's how we left on Friday, and what we will be greeted with on the walk to school Monday morning.
Off to another day exploring Accra. Happy 4th of July!!
A short week of teaching was as eventful as the others. On Thursday and Friday, Rebecca and I were the sole teachers at the JSS until the religion guy rode up on his bike well after the first lesson was finished. After friday classes, we went into Cape Coast to take a van to Accra for the weekend. We met up with a dozen other United Planet volunteers in honor of the 4th of July. Our Nepalese country director took us to an Irish Pub in the Ghanaian capital for American Independence Day. I guess that works. It was certianly fun. and the kareoke at the sports bar that followed was equally unexpected. Maybe next time we'll try to introduce Putubiw to fireworks and s'mores.
Some days Putubiw smells like roasting marshmallows, followed by burnt popcorn. These are the days they burn the piles of crushed sugarcane stalks. In the hours preceeding the aromas, the puttering of the old motors that press sugarcane reverberates off of the clinic and houses at the bottom of Putubiw hill. That's how we left on Friday, and what we will be greeted with on the walk to school Monday morning.
Off to another day exploring Accra. Happy 4th of July!!
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