Village of Bogu

The community of Bogu is comprised of a couple of small villages, located approximately 30 Km northwest of Tamale. The people are mainly farmers. My friend Barbara's husband, Sam, happens to be Chief and visiting him there in his chieftan role made for a most interesting day. Sam is a Dagomba who studied and worked as a teacher in the U.S. for several years before returning to the Northern Region to re-work his father's land. While he is busy farming and overseeing the inhabitants of Bogu, Barbara is an impressive director of a local private primary school. Both have my admiration for straddling two very different cultures between Ghana and the U.S. All told, I admit that I enjoyed the drum roll announcing our arrival into the village and the offering of the traditional koala nut as the Chief sat with the elders.

"Search And he Shall Find"

Having forgotten to pack a bathing suit for this trip to Ghana, I wondered where I could possibly find one in Tamale - a rare commodity here, to be sure. Nonetheless, between the Central Market in Ouagadougou and a street-side heap of recycled clothes sitting on the road in town, my search was rewarded - a shocking neon pink number found at the French locale and a black & white choice just waiting to be plucked from the top of the pile in Tamale. Best bargains in the world!

Aeroclub at Ouaga

The Aeroclub at Ouaga's international airport, home to aviation enthusiasts, was a definite priority in our visit to Burkina Faso. Jim was determined to get "checked off" to fly the Cessna 172 aircraft there and first needed a few practice runs accompanied by a certified pilot. The Harmattan dust, however, was so dense that visibility was a no-go for a couple of days. Thus began our extended stay in Ouaga. Jim's instructor, Rashid, a dashing corporate pilot for a local mining company, not only enabled Jim to achieve his goal with the Cessna, but was a most hospitable host in taking us around the city. 

Dining in Ouaga

Ouagadougou

Ouagadougou - or simply "Ouaga" as it is affectionately called, is the capital city of Burkina Faso, the French-speaking country located directly north of Ghana. It is landlocked, hot, dusty and one of the poorest countries in the world, but oh!  the French colonial influence is definitely there - most apparent in "la bonne cuisine." Sprinkled among the everyday food stands similar to those in Ghana, one can easily balance the inconveniences of the Harmattan wind, the stifling 106 degree temperatures and the frequent loss of electrical power by dining in little jewels of restaurants unlike any found in Tamale. Three at the top of my list are le St. Matthieu with its touch of elegance and gourmet menu, le Verdoyant with its inviting family atmosphere and noted pizza ovens, and l'Eau Vive with its delicious crêpes and peaceful atmosphere. Even at Les Lauriers, our Guest House, and other nearby spots, I threw caution to the wind as I devoured salads, spring rolls, French baguettes, yam croquettes and pistachio ice cream.

Mangoes Galore

Both in the market and from our own trees, we have plenty of mangoes. Come visit and enjoy!

Mohammed is very adept at climbing and retrieving.

Photos from School for the Deaf in Savelugu