hot and sticky...

Internet is not consistent so posting will take a little bit of work.  We arrived late Saturday night.  We exited the plane and the heat and wall of humid air stopped me in my tracks as I hit the exit.

The flight itself was very interesting.  After a little lunch in Amsterdam I made my way to the Accra gate.  I had separated myself from the others (a Little me time) and so arrived at the gate alone.  When I arrived at the gate, it was clear that I was in the right place.  I was the first white passenger to sit in the sea of people waiting to board.  I plunked myself down in the middle of the waiting area.  People of all shapes and sizes.  Some in traditional dress but most not.

Once on the plane I was taken by the social nature of the flight, groupings of people gathered by bathrooms and moving about talking with others.  Joined in mid wa7 trough the flight.  Ben, a Ghanaian living in Amsterdam caught my attention and we chatted for quite a awhile.

Anyway….after arriving and getting over the first wave of heat and smells, we entered the airport (got off the plane on the tarmac and took a bus to the airport).

We were greeted by Rotary Ralph, an wonderful man who pulled us through the diplomat line and led us through customs.  We did not have to explain anything…just  breezed through…Ralph had taken care of everything.

We were, and will continue to be a spectacle.  We had 17 bags between the 4 of us, loaded with items to leave behind.

A small group of men, including the incoming President of the Accra Rotary club met us at the airport,   At one point he said “You didn’t bring any men with you!?”  I smiled and said no, not men. It is a man’s world and being without one feels really good (sorry guys).

SUNDAY:

Sunday morning I woke up to the knock on the door from housekeeping. (9 am).  I slept very well.  The day was spent at the pool (a Godsend with the heat), eating (ate my first African meal – jolla rice and spicy chicken) and getting to know each other more.

We took a side trip to the mall down the street.  Many of the conveniences of home there.  Although expensive for some basic items.  Undies in the Walmart like store were  $10 for a pair or two.  Am glad that we brought our items!

In the late afternoon we had a visit from John and Emma.  They are a couple who Kathy and Kay know from previous trips.  What beautiful people.  John is a Rotarian and was helpful with some information about meeting with the club on Monday.  Emma was helpful with information about the girls I will be working with as well as some cultural tips (will write more on this later).

Our evening meal was pizzzzzaaaahhhh (that was how it was spelled on the menu).  We sat our on the open air patio and ate, talked about what was to come, and listened to a trio singing cheesy American love songs.

The recruitment for Rotary has also begun,  I expect that this trip will end with my commitment to be one. 

It is 6:30 and time to get out of this bed and hit great the morning.. I will post again later today If I can.  The camera will come out of the bag today!

kir