WEDNESDAY

Bright and early nick and I took a walk through town. Rebecca had told us a good place to get breakfast, bean balls and ginger stew. We got a few bean balls to go, I had a nibble of mine and it tasted like a cardboard box. We walked down the street for a little bit but the area didn’t have much to offer so after we found some Nescafe’s we headed back to the house. One good thing that their village had was an amazing view in the distance; the village is surrounded by rolling mountains.
Back at the volunteer house Katie and I made coffee and tried to jazz the bean balls up with a bit of mayo and powdered Parmesan cheese we snaked from their kitchen. It wasn’t that bad but I think it’s because the toppings masked the cardboard flavor just enough



At 9am we had all taken a quick shower and headed out the door to meet our friend who was giving us a glass bead workshop. The workshop was brilliant, he showed us each step then let us have a go. First we we’re shown how the glass is pounded and siffed into a powder. The next step was to prepare the molds for the beads.



We all were given two molds, cassava sticks and exacto knifes. The cassava sticks are held in the middle of each mold and then cut off so its level with the plate. Once the molding is filled the cassava sticks create a hole in the middle of the bead so they can be strung. Before filling the molds we paired into groups and picked a color to share; I chose red. You then mix the color with the glass fill the molds and place them carefully into the clay oven to cook for 5 minutes. After they have been fired they are taken out and have to cool for quite some time.



While we were waiting I checked out his workspace and took some pictures. I asked him what he does with the molds that have broken, he replied and said he usually throws them away so I asked if I could take some with me and he said of course. I tried to find a broken piece for each size of bead; I’m hoping that I might be able to give bead making a go and if that doesn’t work it’s a sweet keepsake.
Once the beads had cooled off we laid them out on the table, separated the colors and then fed them onto string to make bracelets. The extra beads we didn’t use we divided up and took with us. Finished with the workshop we hailed a tro tro, said our thank you’s and goodbyes and headed to the bead market where even more fun was awaiting us… shopping!!

To get to the bead market we had to first walk through the everyday market which is always hectic and overwhelming. Once we had made our way through we arrived at the beads. Everything there was a bit more laid out, open and organized. We went from stand to stand and admired all of the beads, all so pretty. The price range was anywhere from 20 pesewa to 200 cedi. The older a bead is the more expensive it will cost. Cost also depends on what type of material it is made from. My biggest purchase was a single bead made from coral. I also got two strands of bauxite which can be pricy but I worked a deal with the madam to get the price lowered small small.

I think we all could have spent all day at the market but at one point we all felt we had to leave or else we would find we wouldn’t have any money to return home with. So we headed back out the market and tried to find a tro tro that would take us all the way back to Accra. This took a little bit longer than usual but we found our tro and headed on our way. On this ride there was a baby sitting next to me which kept kicking my legs and at one point had kicked off its shoes and started pinching my legs with its big and second toe; surprisingly it hurt quite a lot. I don’t think she liked me all that much but as time carried on she warmed up and we became friends.

We took that tro tro as far as we could in Accra; we then (with some help of course) found our way to another tro that would take us to Cape Coast. Along our way Katie and I both had to use the wash room so we made friends with a vendor, bought some drinks and then asked her if she could take us to the toilets. She did willingly and for the toilets, there are no words. It’s nothing at all that bothers me but I laugh when I think about what other people would say or complain about. If markets weren’t so intense I would love to be able to take pictures for everyone.

We had to walk far to get to the Cape Coast tro tros but after going through several different markets and tro stations we finally found a ride. Unfortunately we had to wait quite a while for this one to fill up. When there were only two seats left the tro driver tricked us all and opened up the back row which meant we would have to wait for an even longer amount of time. This really upset some of the Ghanaians and there was a verbal fight that us ‘bruni were literally sat in the middle of. For lunch I found my new favorite vendor food which is a hardboiled egg sliced in half and filled with a spicy sauce and onions. It doesn’t give you the nicest smelling breath but the taste is well good. After three hours of watching vendors we were filled up and ready to get on our way.

This last tro tro was the worst. For some reason it lasted forever and every thirty seconds we hit speed bumps with never the right amount of speed. It was like that the whole journey which gave us all headaches. Fortunately though we found out that our tro was going to Tackradi which meant we didn’t have to get out in Cape Coast and hail a cab back to Elmina and that we would be able to get dropped right at the Elmina Beach Resort junction. This little surprise saved us both money and time, something at this point we could all appreciate.

Walking back to the house we noticed everyone was still sitting at Eli’s so we stopped to say hello and let them know we were back in town. Once we had settled in and had a few bites to eat, Nick Katie an I walked over to Sea Top to relax and have a drink. We met Tom there who invited us to come over and watch a movie and babysit Aubrey’s children tomorrow night. We agreed and thought it would be nice to bring Sarah along since Thursday is her birthday and she loves kids; also I think we’re going to do pizza and popcorn which everyone loves.

After all this traveling today it was so lovely to crawl onto my Fancy latex foam mattress and fall asleep, it didn’t even bother me tonight that I don’t have a top sheet.

TUESDAY

I had terrible sleep last night. Halfway through the night I rolled over in my bed to face nick’s bed; nick was sitting straight up in his bed and I’m not sure why but probably because I was half awake it scared the you know what out of me! After that I didn’t really fall back asleep and tossed and turned till the sun came out. I read for a little bit until I got restless, went downstairs and made a cup of coffee.

Since our workshop wasn’t until tomorrow morning in Krobo we decided last night that we wouldn’t have travel until later on in the afternoon. After talking it over this morning we thought it would be a better idea to leave earlier that way we could spend a bit of time in Accra and go shopping at the Global Mamas store. So after packing and making egg salad sandwiches we headed down to Cape Coast around 9am. Traveling in Ghana is quite difficult, the closest you get to lagitamate station is a name you can’t pronounce where a group of tro tro’s parked too close together in the middle of a market. Thankfully everyone is really helpful and willing to show you which tro you should get into.

Our first stop was in Cape Coast were we went to Bacano we walked to where we thought was the station to get a fast car. Apparently it was just a taxi station; some of the men laughed at us but one took us down the street in the same direction we had come from to the correct station. Here we found the fast cars which are the same size as a tro tro just a bit newer with air conditioning. They call them fast cars because they start at one station, wait to fill all the way up, then head to one final destination. Tro tro’s will make stops along the way and pick up and drop off people here and there. It doesn’t sound like it would but the constant pulling over almost doubles the traveling time.

We found our fast car and sat at the back waiting patiently to fill up. Some of us have waited hours on end waiting for one to fill but we thankfully didn’t have to wait too long. Before we left I had asked one of the women working in a shop where I could go use the wash room, her response in a louder than necessary voice was “ Are you going to shit or are you going to urinate”. It was really funny at the time, this tiny little lady just casually asking such a question.

We finally began our journey; the ride to Accra was pleasant good scenery, new book, the company and the air conditioning which at one point got too fierce and I had to put a sweater on. The time flew by and got off at our stop called Circle Station. We had only been given directions from Elmina to Krobo and at this point we had to figure out our own way to get to Osu which is the part of Accra where the Global Mama’s store is located. Thankfully most of everyone are really friendly and we were able to ask people on the street what the best way to get there was and how much we should pay. The Accra traffic is terrible but we finally found a taxi and managed to make it to Osu.

After doing a bit of shopping we went to the grocery store to pick up a few things for dinner and lunch tomorrow afternoon. From there we headed to Melting Moments, a restaurant one of the volunteers in the office had suggested. When we arrived I realized I had been there before and it was the first place I had gone to with Katie C and Carla when we arrived in Ghana. The three of us split a mozzarella avocado and mushroom pizza and cider. We had to wait extra long for them to make it but it was well worth the wait.



When we were finished we asked for the best way to get back on track with our travel plans and our waiter was happy to help us. After hailing a taxi to a nearby station we walked around till we found the tro tro we needed to be in. This market was exceptionally busy and we were bombarded by vendors more than usual. When we were standing outside the tro paying the driver I had my legs petted by some strange Ghanaian man. It was strange and I couldn’t figure out if it was the skin color he was fascinated by or how much hair was covering them (which I might add is quite allot since I haven’t shaved them since before I left… do the math!). Thankfully we were one of the last ones on the tro and it left almost immediately.

That tro ride went by fast also and in no time we were getting out in Pnug and trying to hail another tro to Odemase, our final destination. Once again everyone was very helpful and pointed in the right direction of where we needed to be. Once we arrived at our stop we got out and had no idea where to go, we asked around and no one seemed to have ever heard of Global Mama’s. After three tries one woman said oh yes and pointed behind herself. Sure enough it was right there in plain sight. Unfortunately we were at the Global Mama’s office which was closed and we needed to be at the volunteer house. With no idea where that was we turned on the phone and called Rebecca who was in charge of the Krobo volunteers. She told us where to go and said she would meet us when we got dropped off. So once again we found someone who was more than willing to show us where to get another tro and asked him how much we should pay. We finally found a ride, too bad we didn’t know earlier because we were traveling back down the road we had come from. At last our travels were over, we met Rebecca and three other volunteers and headed to their house.

After chit chatting with everyone, Nick Katie and I took a walk down the street to the local bar for some Stars before bed time. None of the volunteers joined us, which wasn’t too unfortunate since their sadder then our business lot back in Cape Coast; I didn’t think that could be possible.

MUD FIGHT

SUNDAY

In the morning I took a walk with Nick and Jessica to find bread and eggs for the day. We were heading to the beach today and I thought it would be a good idea to make egg salad sandwiches to bring along with me.
We were going to have to wait for Peter the taxi driver to make two trips to take us to the beach since we had such a large group today but we saw Tom next door and asked if he wanted to join us. He was done with work so he decided to join us and he offered to drive the rest of us in Land Rover. Maria brought Pepo and Eli and Nie came with us along with the business girls and Wizzy from the office.

The weather wasn’t that great for a day at the beach but it was nice just to lay out and watch the ocean. We got in just one time; the waves weren’t that high but very strong as usual. No matter what size the waves are their always fun to play in. Besides playing in the ocean I spent most of my day reading the new book.

Most of everyone left early but Nick, Katie, Tom, Wizzy and I stayed around a little longer and got lunch. I ordered French fries; I thought I could bring them home and have them with the Ranch I made. Back at the house some of the girls we’re back from their trip and we arranged to go to Shell and support Maria in the final match of the World Cup. It was a fun game and Maria was very very happy that her country won.

SATURDAY

In the morning we decided that we should use up the dyes from our go at batik to tie-dye our white clothes we have. I had two shirts, some linen pants, a tank top. Katie did some shirts and so did Maria. Steve from next door came over and did his bed sheet and secretly tie-died Tom’s Locatose white shirt. We’ll see how mad he gets! When we batik with these chemicals we usually use gloves which we didn’t have; I can understand now why we use those gloves, my hands have never burned that bad before. There is now dry blood underneath some of my nails from the reaction to the chemicals.
After cleaning up the weather wasn’t that great and Katie and I were feeling a bit lazy so instead of heading to the pool with the rest of the gang we stayed at the house and watched movies all day. Sex and the City and What Happens in Vegas. After movies I layed down in my bed with yet again another new book. The Middlesex was just too hard to get into. I grabbed some Steven King book to read off the shelf; I figured that I’ve never read his books before and why not give one a go. I read for a bit till I fell asleep.

When I woke up everyone was back at the house and getting ready to go out. Tonight was the last night for the Elmina Festival so we were planning to meet up with are local Ghanaian family’s and head to Shell for the party. Judy from next door with all of her family came along with Eli, Nie and Richard along with Eli’s brother inlaw. Wizzy and Amos from the Global Mama’s office also came along with us. The night was a lot of fun; I think the best part was watching Carla and Amos dance all night long.

Cravings today …. My bed back home, this latex foam mattress just is not comfortable.

FRIDAY

Strange beginnings this morning but it wasn’t anything that couldn’t be fixed with a VIA, powdered milk and Katie’s special breakfast rice. After breakfast I began finishing off the blouse and helped organized what we have made in the way of patterns thus far.

Organized, flats on the computer, write ups of how the pattern pieces should be sewn together.

Went into Elmina. When we arrived at the office we printed out everything that we had typed up and gave it to Dorkus. Dorkus is the woman in charge of the patterns within Quality Control. Waited for her to go over the patterns and make sure she understood what everything meant. While we were waiting I was able to get a hold of Mr. James Kessler which made my day. Unfortunately I had to cut our conversation short because everyone was waiting on me to leave and go shopping for our big family dinner. Jessica, Jorden, Katie, Nick and I had decided that we would give a go attempting to make a Mexican fiesta dinner. The plan was to buy corn flour to make tortillas, beans, plantain and avocado to make guacamole, tomatoes, onions, rice, corn and salad. Our grocery shopping around Elmina was a big success minus the avocado and corn flour. What we thought was corn flour turned out to be corn starch, too bad none of us can read Arabic writing. The avocados are now out of season so no one Cape Coast which I very sad about; in recent weeks they have been the largest and most flavorful avocados I’ve tasted.

Once we had bought all the supplies we headed back to the house for the day. The beans we supposed to take around four hours to soak so we had to get them in right when we got back. After getting the beans in soak we started to make homemade salsa with garlic, tomatoes and onions. We let that sit for a while as well to let the entire flavors soak in. Since we didn’t find any avocados we used the plantains we had bought and dipped then in the salsa.

Katie and I took a walk over to Sea Top to ask Kristina if she sells any flour for us to make the tortilla bread. When we asked she said she didn’t sell any but she did have some at the house and sent one of her workers to fetch it for her. When the girl came back Kristina bagged some up for us, bagged it up and told us that she was “dashing” it to us and that there was no charge. I was so excited, I had my first dash. I read so much about dashing things before I came and thought it would happen quite frequently. I think it only really happens when you are close friends so it’s nice to think that Kristina considers us as close friends.

Back at the house we finished up cooking our fiesta and sat up on the porch to demolish it. After dinner we cleaned up at bit and Katie, Nick, Jorden, Jessica and I headed over to Sea Top for drinks and to meet up with Steve and Tom. It was early when we left Sea Top and when we got back to the house someone thought up the brilliant idea of playing in the rain and mud outside the house. I haven’t had a mud fight in who knows how long, it was a ton of fun and the pictures are great. Small Boy got the worst of it for sure.

Once again we were back at the house cleaning off; this time took longer than most. When we were all clean everyone but Katie and I were too tired to go back out so we headed back over to Sea Top by ourselves. The place was packed now; I believe from the Elmina Festival. There wasn’t anywhere to sit so we were put at a table with a bunch of locals. It was a bit strange at first but we ended up having a bunch of fun. They Ghanaians had bought a bunch of sausages to share with us which made Katie feel a bit guilty so she ordered a bottle of Cardinal to share with them. I will be happy to never drink that crap again. Each time they took shots I just passed mine along to the next person so I didn’t have to drink any of it. I was able to dodge all but one.

Cravings: Movie Nights!

THURSDAY

For breakfast today I tried Katie’s latest concoction of rice laughing cow cheese onion and egg. It sounds like a funny combination but isn’t half bad. Before we started working on patterning we took a trip to the shell station since we were once again out of water; thanks a lot business. In addition to buying bottled water I also grabbed a bottle of mayonnaise to make ranch dip later on.

Patterning today had a rough start. I finished the tailored jacket and moved on into patterning a sleeveless blouse. I don’t have that much experience patterning shirts so it’s taking me much longer than expected. For lunch I decided to go over to the hotel to have a dip in the pool and get on the internet. The pool was really refreshing, its super hot today I think mostly from the humidity and lack of breeze. After swimming I got onto the internet and Skyped with Mum. It’s been since Fathers Day that we’ve spoken so it was lovely to catch up.

It took me all day to get that blouse finished but it’s done and ready to be sampled. Hopefully we’ll be able to take the patterns we have finished this week into the office to get sampled for next week.

For dinner we went out with Tanya for their last night in Elmina. It was Sarah, Nick, Katie, Tanya her husband and I. We headed down the same dirt road towards African Pot and Africana-Cuba is down towards Mable’s Table. We’ve heard mixed reviews about this place but we couldn’t really think of anywhere else to eat on short notice. On our walk to dinner we were joined by a group of young girls who bothered us the entire way there. One had asked me if I’m a funny girl and tell jokes; I replied with a yes but asked if she knew of any. Bad idea; it was like listening to a small boy tell a joke but it just keeps going and going and you wonder when its going to stop. Halfway through I joked with her saying that it was a terrible joke and asked when the funny bit was coming. She laughed and then kept telling the story. By the time we had reached Mable’s Table the story was still going and we stood in the road listening for a bit until one of the works greeted us and told them to bugger off.

Dinner was very good, I had vegetable curry which chips, but when the bill came around we were all a bit irritated. Each dish on the bill had been raised about two Cedi from the menu price; the beers were four Cedi when they are usually priced at two. So we paid the bill and asked for a take away box for my fries and Katie’s leftovers. He took our plates, boxed up our dinner and brought it back out to us with no problem. After the bill was all sorted we sat around and talked for a bit until the man came back one more time. This time he told us we had to pay him a Cedi for the to go boxes; really? I mean they clearly tried to get as much money as they could from us but that just pushing it too far. I argued with the guy for a bit but could see it wasn’t going anywhere so we just told him we would leave the boxes there because we would not pay to ridiculous fee. He finally left and I took my leftover out of their box and stuffed them into a plastic bag I had in my purse, that’ll show him. It’s sad to meet people like that but for everyone one person that is rude or tries to take advantage there’s a whole village of warm friendly Ghanaians that will take you in with open arms.