From the Hans Botel...
It's 9:30 on Sunday night, and we've just finished our supper in the Hans Botel. We revised our schedule slightly, and came straight from Dagbamete to Elmina today, without stopping for a market visit in Accra. The trip took longer than anticipated, due to traffic and road construction. We also had our first Ghanaian van breakdown on the road. However, it was all repaired within about half an hour, and we continued our trip uneventfully - thanks to the mechanical wizardry of Master Dan & Kobla.
The Botel is currently under renovation and the restaurant over the water (brown, swampy) is not currently open. After a day of snacking Ghanaian-style foods en-route, we all enjoyed a good dinner tonight.
Following our last update, we attended a funeral in a neighbouring village. There were over 300 people at the funeral, all drumming, dancing, and singing - in a true celebration of life. Arial's dancing was much appreciated, as she was adorned by shawls (a sign of appreciation of someone's skill). Ben was also presented with a tuque, which according to tradition, you return to the giver before you leave the event. There will be another funeral later this week, for someone in our village who recently passed away. It is a three day celebration carrying on through the night.
We are looking forward to a volleyball tournament with a neighbouring village (Dzogadze?) - where our local instructor, Ledzi comes from. Not only is Ledzi an awesmone drummer, dancer, and teacher, but he can also open coconuts with a machete, while holding the nut in his hand.
Tomorrow morning we're taking a canopy walk in the Kakum rainforest, and the performance in the afternoon. We're switching the Slave Castle tour to Tuesday morning (this is all typical Ghanaian flex-time). Hopefully, we'll be able to provide another update tomorrow evening, after the show in Elmina.
An update from Yanek...
"The life here is amazing in so many ways. The differences and similarities all stick out and make the experience more unique. The food for example is not...perfect for someone who doesn't enjoy an all-fish diet for dinner. The new pieces we're learning are awesome, but the atmosphere around the drumming is even more impressive! We practise in the dirt with cute kids all around and spectators to the left and right whatching our progress. I'm never quite sure if thery're laughing or smiling at us. I am using one of the few computers that work in this cafe, so i will say goodbye now"
The Botel is currently under renovation and the restaurant over the water (brown, swampy) is not currently open. After a day of snacking Ghanaian-style foods en-route, we all enjoyed a good dinner tonight.
Following our last update, we attended a funeral in a neighbouring village. There were over 300 people at the funeral, all drumming, dancing, and singing - in a true celebration of life. Arial's dancing was much appreciated, as she was adorned by shawls (a sign of appreciation of someone's skill). Ben was also presented with a tuque, which according to tradition, you return to the giver before you leave the event. There will be another funeral later this week, for someone in our village who recently passed away. It is a three day celebration carrying on through the night.We are looking forward to a volleyball tournament with a neighbouring village (Dzogadze?) - where our local instructor, Ledzi comes from. Not only is Ledzi an awesmone drummer, dancer, and teacher, but he can also open coconuts with a machete, while holding the nut in his hand.
Tomorrow morning we're taking a canopy walk in the Kakum rainforest, and the performance in the afternoon. We're switching the Slave Castle tour to Tuesday morning (this is all typical Ghanaian flex-time). Hopefully, we'll be able to provide another update tomorrow evening, after the show in Elmina.
An update from Yanek...
"The life here is amazing in so many ways. The differences and similarities all stick out and make the experience more unique. The food for example is not...perfect for someone who doesn't enjoy an all-fish diet for dinner. The new pieces we're learning are awesome, but the atmosphere around the drumming is even more impressive! We practise in the dirt with cute kids all around and spectators to the left and right whatching our progress. I'm never quite sure if thery're laughing or smiling at us. I am using one of the few computers that work in this cafe, so i will say goodbye now"
posted by Ian at 5:27 pm
1 Comments:
yeah - football scores are important but, weather here is as hot and muggy as I've ever known it....how about you guys? are you very effected by the weather? hope you get in the ocean as scheduled. keep the news coming - we love it!
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