Not My Best Week

This is the particularly hot season when no rain is in sight; the temperatures are  easily in the mid to high 90s (F) during the day, often rising above 100. Not an ideal time for our refrigerator (brought over in a container from the U.S. eight years ago) to bite the dust - with the help of my carelessness.

Even a basic understanding of physics has never been my strong suit and while attempting to make use of an extension cord, I inserted a 110 volt U.S. plug into a 220 volt Ghanaian outlet without remembering to use a converter. Alas, all the fresh produce purchased yesterday in the market (including two dozen eggs) now rests in a warm frig, begging to be cooked and eaten.

No sympathy from Jim, who always has much more important things on his mind - two young boys who can barely breathe and a young woman with problematic bleeding.

Lunch with Philomena

Typical shopping display - much longer than I could capture with my camera!

Seeing Friends

The friendly woman with the small convenience stand across the road was so happy to receive some photo prints of her which I had made in the U.S., as was Grace at the COLWOD batik shop and Veronica, who continues to work hard at helping to keep the Harmattan dust under control in the house.

When stopping to greet Rahi at Melcom's general store where she works, she presented me with three beautiful Ghanaian dresses that she had specially made for our granddaughter, Scarlett. What a nice surprise!

We went to the festive wedding of one of Jim's nurses, Faustina, on Saturday and I joined Barbara, Jane, Annelyse & Ziblim for our always enjoyable weekly lunch on Sunday. We tried a new place, Don's - a bit off the main Bolga road. A number of items on the menu not available (common occurrence in Tamale!), but the veggie pizza was good.

Accra to Tamale by Bus

After a beautiful Christmas holiday in the U.S. with family and friends, then a wonderful six-days in Germany visiting the charming town of Tuttlingen, home to several medical instrument companies, Jim & I arrived in Accra. We had hoped to fly directly north, but the dusty Harmattan wind is again in full force with all flights to Tamale cancelled. Finally resorted to taking the twelve-hour bus ride, pulling safely into Tamale around 8 PM.

Departure for Christmas in the U.S.

One doesn't see many outward trappings of the approaching Christmas holidays in Tamale such as twinkling lights on homes and streets or decorative trees filled with colorful ornaments. However, I am sure the choirs in all the various churches will be joyfully leading everyone in song both on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Friends here are carefully planning a special celebration dinner which is to be held on the grounds of the African Dream Hotel, Melcom's general store in town is offering a display of artificial trees and Wooden's Coffee Shop has placed what looks like a large evergreen in front of their terrace.

I did a little gift shopping at COLWOD  and at the cultural crafts market. Grace tailored a bright green Ghanaian dress with matching hair ribbon for Scarlett while I chose an African cloth wall hanging for Beth.

Stopped by the small food stand across the road from our house to see Madame (busy making the traditional "banku") to wish her and her family a Merry Christmas and happy holiday.

And now we wait and hope for the Harmattan dust to subside so that we can avoid a twelve-hour bus ride and travel instead via African World Airlines to connect with our Delta flight in Accra.

Joyeux Noël! 🎄

Sunday Mass & Lunch

Since Jim did not need to make rounds yesterday morning, we went to Mass at Holy Cross instead of at Blessed Sacrament Chapel on the hospital grounds. As usual, the large church was fully packed.

Our weekly lunch outing was held at the African Dream Hotel, owned by Analise and Ziblim - a very relaxing way to spend a peaceful Sunday afternoon.

Harmattan Has Arrived

The annual dry, dusty Harmattan desert wind has been blowing over northern Ghana from the Sahara in full force. Visibility is so poor that several flights have been canceled. We hope the situation improves for our scheduled departure next week.

The dust, however, did not stop Barbara and me from enjoying a pizza and beer at Chuck's restaurant the other night. Somehow, amid the towering trees and outdoor lights, the setting provided a perfect little oasis under the cloudy, murky sky.

Veronica heading out in the morning dust.

Tamale Thanksgiving

Thursday, 26 November 2015 was a regular work day in Tamale without the succulent smell of turkey roasting in the oven, Macy's spectacular parade on TV and friends & family gathering for Thanksgiving dinner. Two days later, however, we took part in a special post-holiday feast hosted by Barbara and Sam. Annalise and Ziblim supplied us with their farm raised turkey, Barb prepared a delicious  green bean casserole, rice with mixed veggies, brown gravy, home-baked bread and apple pie, while I contributed mashed potatoes and a bowl of fresh pineapple, pau pau and banana. Great time had by all!