Day 33

Probably my least Ghanaian picture in the lot but…

Valentine’s day! What else could we do but prepare a card for Hazel… with a little help from Dan!

We had a nice dinner with Hannah T the night before Rachael left.

Day 34

Some beautiful Bolga baskets, bought today in Bolga.

Rach and I went to see what was on offer at the market, and asked of some nice U shaped baskets.  After getting a reasonable quote of about Ghc25 we went on to another basket place, where I’ve previously bought baskets.  Rach pointed at one we liked, and were given the price of Ghc45…

Us: “They were half that price at the market though!” 

Seller: “That is the price!” 

Us: “Are you giving us a different price?” 

Seller: “Yes, you are white!” 

Us: “So we have to pay more?!” 

Seller: “Yes…!” 

Rachael and I stormed off, and went to buy the original baskets… Well, at least he was honest, though missed out on Gh25!

Day 35

Francis tastes haggis!!!

Francis missed my Burns party, so he was invited along to sample some haggis and red wine… looks like he enjoyed it!

Day 36

Having work to do in Sirigu, Rach joined me on the long trip (almost an hour) to Sirigu early this morning.  While she studied, I went out to various schools, one of which had only one teacher in attendance this morning at 9am.  Five work there, which highlights one of the biggest problems in schools in rural Ghana – teacher attendance is absolutely shocking!  Sometimes teacher do have good excuses – they are sick, their child is sick…they have to go and get their salary… they have to go to a week long funeral of a distant cousin… they have to go to the market… they were tired…  In some small rural schools, nothing is going to change until teachers understand how important their presence is – though the constantly drunk teacher at this school should be told to never come back!

After some school visits, I came back and I took Rach for a Ghanaian lunch of kenkey which she ate quite happily.  Then we did some Sirigu painting before sleeping under the stars under mozzy nets!

 Some painting in Sirigu

Sleeping under the stars under a mozzie net.

Day 37

Rachael, coping remarkably well with the hot February heat, was taken today to Vea Dam, a local dam which is nice and cool during the hotter times with a breeze coming across the water. 

I love having people to visit, and it is so nice to show Rachael all the nooks and crannies I’ve found since her last trip to the north, over 2 years ago.  This is probably the last picture taken when I am browner than Rachael...

Day 38

Rachael arrived today in Tamale!  We took a tro back to Bolga, then Rach had her first trip to a local spot.  Here, she met my friend John Adongo, a colleague at the Bolga Education Office and keen drinker at Adoctor.  

We had an interesting discussion about politics with him, and then he sketched an impressive map of Africa on the ground.  I hope you can see it here…

Day 39

Laylo left today L  I am getting a new flatmate soon, who is allergic to cats.  I am also allergic to cats, and though Laylo hasn’t reduced me to fits of sneezing all that often, I think I might appreciate the absence of cat hair!

My friend Mary took Laylo to Navrongo today L.  Initially unsure about how we would get him there, we tried various Laylo-holding devices unsuccessfully.  The cardboard box was just not strong enough to stop his head from peaking out, the big bag’s zip wasn’t strong enough and the bag and box together option didn’t work out either.  Then came my bin.  My kitchen bin, with tight fitting lid, was duly attacked with a knife (we took the cat out first) and then Laylo went, crying, off to Navrongo.  Bye bye Laylo, we’ll miss you!