Two physicians, Mark and Karin, and an ICU nurse, Kathrin, all visiting Tamale Teaching Hospital from Germany, came to our home for dinner Wednesday evening. So, along with our house guest, Dr. Norman, Jim and myself, dinner for six. Made an eggplant parmesan casserole, a dish of mashed yam with a tomato/green pepper topping and a cucumber salad. Also picked up a tasty vegetable pizza at the nearby Tacorabama restaurant. Dessert consisted of my second attempt at oatmeal cookies in our ever-challenging oven along with some vanilla/chocolate ice cream. Entertainment was provided by successfully opening the South African wine brought by our guests. Our locally purchased cork screw immediately broke apart on contact with the bottle, but pliers and a screw driver retrieved from the garage managed to do the trick.
Friday, November 22, 2013
Monday, November 18, 2013
Back Home in Tamale
Getting reacquainted with the joyful singing and drums at Mass and learning more than ever to be on high alert navigating the chaos of taxis, bicycles and motor bikes, we are at home in Tamale. Boiling water for drinking, thoroughly washing all vegetables and fruits and once again sleeping under the protection of our mosquito net all become comfortable routine.
Renovation of the old Tamale Teaching Hospital and the construction of its new building are very impressive. If only the problematic lack of water could be resolved and the crucial importance of ongoing maintenance be recognized.
Dr. Andy Norman, a GYN from the US, is staying with us for a couple of weeks. His area of expertise includes performing the life-changing procedure of fistula repair which provides enormous relief from the damaging injuries resulting from prolonged and complicated childbirth.
Sunday lunch with some friends at the Gariba Lodge brought the exciting news of a brand new Lebanese coffee shop opening down the road. Since this new establishment appears to be the only one of its kind in town, it's definitely on everyone's "To Do" list.
Renovation of the old Tamale Teaching Hospital and the construction of its new building are very impressive. If only the problematic lack of water could be resolved and the crucial importance of ongoing maintenance be recognized.
Dr. Andy Norman, a GYN from the US, is staying with us for a couple of weeks. His area of expertise includes performing the life-changing procedure of fistula repair which provides enormous relief from the damaging injuries resulting from prolonged and complicated childbirth.
Sunday lunch with some friends at the Gariba Lodge brought the exciting news of a brand new Lebanese coffee shop opening down the road. Since this new establishment appears to be the only one of its kind in town, it's definitely on everyone's "To Do" list.
Rendez-Vous in Accra
Overdue for my return to Ghana, I arrived 2 Nov. 2013 with Jim meeting me in Accra. The capital city is becoming more familiar and as long as Jim has his trusty map, he is able to use the local Tro-Tro system to get us anywhere. Piled into the typical Tro-Tro, an often well-worn van carrying twenty-odd passengers scrunched together, public transportation is both inexpensive and efficient.
A room at the University For Development Studies Guest House provided a convenient and central location for getting around. An interesting tour of old Accra, given by a German Art History grad student, was a highlight of our stay. By climbing to the top of the old light house, we were treated to a panoramic view of the city and picturesque fishing harbor.
Then, as unlikely as it would be for Jim to take me dancing on a Saturday night in the US, he nevertheless learned of a live hit Ghanaian television show called "Music, Music" being taped at TV3's nearby studio. As we discreetly attempted to sit at the back of the audience, the director waved and ushered us up to the first row right in front of the cameras. I was the lone white lady dancing with a crowd of gyrating Ghanaians.
The next day, we took a Tro-Tro about 30 km outside of Accra to the peaceful Aburi Botanical Gardens and the pretty Akwapim Hills. On the way back to the city, we visited Ghana's only senior school for the deaf in Mampong.
Early Tuesday morning, 5 Nov., found us on Antrak's one-hour flight up north to Tamale.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Photos from 2011 Fall in Ghana
Jim's Induction at the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons
National Theater in Accra
Socializing with Friends
Saying goodbye outside of our home.
Colwood gals visit.
Colwood women using Skype for the first time.
Mother and Child
Doctors Patricia and Bill Turner
Backyard Laundry
Visiting Physicians
Jim studying his Dagbani language.
All-Purpose Store in Tamale
Tamale Market
Chapel on Hospital Grounds
Jim and Cyndy in Front Yard
Friday, December 9, 2011
Parting Thoughts
A few more observations before leaving Ghanaian soil once again -
Traditional Ghanaian attire easily mixes in with western fashion, but it is the fit of the Ghanaian woman's dress that stands out for me. She seems to be literally "poured" into her outfit, accentuating every curve. I also enjoy seeing a particular group of people wearing the exact same fabric in varied styles of design: long, short, scoop neck, v-neck, cap sleeves, puffed sleeves, tailored suit, floor-length dress.
While the official language of the country is English, the ability of many Ghanaians to fluently speak several foreign languages is truly impressive. Granted, the less educated speak mainly in their own tribal tongue although even they can understand and make themselves understood in a neighboring tribal language as well. The more educated Ghanaians, however, often travel and supplement their studies outside of the country. This is certainly true of many Ghanaian physicians, some of whom begin university and subsequent medical training abroad when they have just completed secondary school. Several years are spent in Russia, Germany, Cuba or China, first learning the foreign language in an intensified, immersion program. Others complete their basic and specialized studies at one of the four medical schools in Ghana, then often participate in a post-graduate curriculum elsewhere. One resulting frustration is after being exposed to state-of-the-art instruments and technology abroad, one returns to the medical facilities in Ghana where this sorely needed equipment is generally not available.
Patience is a required virtue in this country; change and progress can take a long time. By the same token, Ghanaian attributes are in abundance. Her people are peace-loving, friendly and generous - always ready to say "Welcome!" "Akwaaba" here in Accra or as we say in the North, "Amaraba!"
Traditional Ghanaian attire easily mixes in with western fashion, but it is the fit of the Ghanaian woman's dress that stands out for me. She seems to be literally "poured" into her outfit, accentuating every curve. I also enjoy seeing a particular group of people wearing the exact same fabric in varied styles of design: long, short, scoop neck, v-neck, cap sleeves, puffed sleeves, tailored suit, floor-length dress.
While the official language of the country is English, the ability of many Ghanaians to fluently speak several foreign languages is truly impressive. Granted, the less educated speak mainly in their own tribal tongue although even they can understand and make themselves understood in a neighboring tribal language as well. The more educated Ghanaians, however, often travel and supplement their studies outside of the country. This is certainly true of many Ghanaian physicians, some of whom begin university and subsequent medical training abroad when they have just completed secondary school. Several years are spent in Russia, Germany, Cuba or China, first learning the foreign language in an intensified, immersion program. Others complete their basic and specialized studies at one of the four medical schools in Ghana, then often participate in a post-graduate curriculum elsewhere. One resulting frustration is after being exposed to state-of-the-art instruments and technology abroad, one returns to the medical facilities in Ghana where this sorely needed equipment is generally not available.
Patience is a required virtue in this country; change and progress can take a long time. By the same token, Ghanaian attributes are in abundance. Her people are peace-loving, friendly and generous - always ready to say "Welcome!" "Akwaaba" here in Accra or as we say in the North, "Amaraba!"
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Activity in Accra
Jim teaches at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale, so we decided to reserve a room at the new UDS Guest House in Accra for the week. We are here for the annual meeting of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons into which Jim is to be formally inducted (complete with distinguished cap & gown!) as a Fellow at tomorrow's ceremony. While he attends the conference lectures during the day, I enjoy a bit of relaxation at the guest house or peruse the various shops and restaurants on Oxford St. in the Osu section of the city.
This past Sunday afternoon, we were very fortunate to find a performance scheduled at the National Theater, an impressive building constructed by the Republic of China. It was a play called "The Day Dad Came" and was truly a special experience. Basically, the play was a comedy interspersed with occasional songs, that explored the issue of abusive love relationships in a modern setting. It was long (seven or eight acts)! It was sometimes corny. It had one scene in which an old woman turned into an angel surrounded by a cloud of mist. It had religious references, sexual references, and it was most definitely "Ghanaian" in its cultural context. The audience loved it, cheering loudly and laughing throughout the close to three-hour show. Popcorn and free drinks were distributed as we entered. The theater was packed - babies and all - and the periodic crying out of the little ones was nonchalantly tolerated by both actors and spectators. The taking of bows was an absolute delight with each actor performing his or her own style of dance gyration to the music being played along with the shouts and waving of arms in the audience. Finally, the theater manager invited everyone to proceed to the lobby in order to chat with the cast members and have photos taken with them. Unbelievably, the show we saw began at 4 PM with another performance scheduled for 8!
This past Sunday afternoon, we were very fortunate to find a performance scheduled at the National Theater, an impressive building constructed by the Republic of China. It was a play called "The Day Dad Came" and was truly a special experience. Basically, the play was a comedy interspersed with occasional songs, that explored the issue of abusive love relationships in a modern setting. It was long (seven or eight acts)! It was sometimes corny. It had one scene in which an old woman turned into an angel surrounded by a cloud of mist. It had religious references, sexual references, and it was most definitely "Ghanaian" in its cultural context. The audience loved it, cheering loudly and laughing throughout the close to three-hour show. Popcorn and free drinks were distributed as we entered. The theater was packed - babies and all - and the periodic crying out of the little ones was nonchalantly tolerated by both actors and spectators. The taking of bows was an absolute delight with each actor performing his or her own style of dance gyration to the music being played along with the shouts and waving of arms in the audience. Finally, the theater manager invited everyone to proceed to the lobby in order to chat with the cast members and have photos taken with them. Unbelievably, the show we saw began at 4 PM with another performance scheduled for 8!
Monday, December 5, 2011
Leaving Tamale, Flying South to Accra
Every stay in Tamale brings unique experiences and this time was no exception. Met interesting, new friends and discovered a couple of tasty restaurants. Of course, there is always something to learn - such as ordering one's food well in advance to cut down the fairly standard two to three hour wait at places like "Mariam," "Samnandzo," or "Luxury." And after less than impressive desserts created by yours truly in the microwave, success was finally achieved by making a delicious pineapple upside-down cake in a covered skillet on the stove!
As we leave the Northern Region via Antrak Airline to spend a week in Accra, I will not miss walking through the dusty fog of the Harmattan wind (and trying to wipe it clean from our furniture and floors), or squeezing into a crowded taxi to town weaving in and out of near-misses with other vehicles, bike riders and pedestrians. Certain images, however, cause me to smile - seeing Jim carefully carrying a black plastic bag containing thirty loose eggs which he picked up in the market after work, and a young girl balancing an actual pyramid of loose eggs perched on a large, round tray atop her head.
As we leave the Northern Region via Antrak Airline to spend a week in Accra, I will not miss walking through the dusty fog of the Harmattan wind (and trying to wipe it clean from our furniture and floors), or squeezing into a crowded taxi to town weaving in and out of near-misses with other vehicles, bike riders and pedestrians. Certain images, however, cause me to smile - seeing Jim carefully carrying a black plastic bag containing thirty loose eggs which he picked up in the market after work, and a young girl balancing an actual pyramid of loose eggs perched on a large, round tray atop her head.
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