A wife in Ghana: "Akwaaba" the von Beneckes

There was much excitement and expectation as we counted down the days to the von Beneckes arriving. We had their beds made, their house swept, the water tank and gas cylinders filled and the air conditioners and their new fridge switched on. The family had done a large shop in Accra when they arrived and sent it up with a vehicle while they flew to Kumasi and then drove to their new home in Ghana. We went early that day to check things were in order, unpacked some of their groceries that had arrived before them and made a few welcoming buns.

We then left and gave them time to come home, rest and unpack. We returned later that evening with supper and welcoming drinks.

Buddy was so excited to meet Emma and Hannah.

We sat on the veranda and caught up on the von Benecke's news.

Colin joined us,

as did Piet Moolman, who is here for a month training the chain saw operators. He is from the Pietermaritzburg area too.

Porks even worked up enough energy to play table tennis with Hannah. Deon and Roz have managed to buy a ping pong table, a badminton set and are in the process of buying a swimming pool. Deon is adamant to make their stay here as pleasant as possible. Great Dad!

I had left Buddy's water bowl behind so he learnt to drink directly from the tap.

On the way home, he rested his head on the window and let his little ears flap in the coolish breeze.

Roz and Deon had done some shopping for us that included a big bag of potatoes. I was wondering from where they had been imported,

and voila...."maak vol tot hier" gave us the answer!

We gave a couple of well spoken male teachers a lift to a conference in Kwamo Danso the other morning and they were telling us about where they teach and how long they have been in the area. As we were travelling past one of the smaller villages not far from Bantama, one little girl shouted "Bature" (pronounced Batoori) at us. The men explained that it means "white person" in a Nigerian dialect called Hausa. It continuously amazes us that in the distance of a few kilometres the language may be different.

We find that the Ghanaians who speak good English in this area have adopted some words that have been passed down by the British. "Stop here, I'd like to alight." "We quenched the flames." Isaac was telling me that his parents have died and that there are four children in his family. When I asked him what number he was, he replied "The last but one." Jeepers, these Ghanaians speak better English than some of us do!
One of the Ghanaian gentlemen who visit us was telling us that he has been waiting patiently to be paid by a company. After being friendly and patient many times, the next time he asks for his money he is going to "squeeze his face" to show them that he is serious about getting it this time. I bet you are squeezing your face to see what he means! How descriptive is that?

When we first arrived "Obruni, obruni" was shouted at us whenever we went anywhere. It actually got quite tiring. Times are changing though...we are now hearing "Porky, Porky, Porky" as more and more people have got to know us in the area.

On Valentine's evening we had a combined celebration. A farewell to Colin, Valentine's Day and our 33rd wedding anniversary.

The sweet girls had made us a card and gave us a chocolate.

We sat outside and the children from around the area kept popping their heads over the wall and calling "Obruni, obruni".....and "Porky, Porky"....., so much so that Hannah and Emma went inside as they were uncomfortable. I explained to the girls that to these children we are like sharks in the sea, where everyone around points and shouts "shark, shark" when they see one.

Hannah and Em went inside to watch TV.

Colin's last night with us. To assist Porky, he had offered to stay on until Deon came back. What a first class man he is and we are extremely sorry that he and Audrey have left us.

Roz made us a cake and said that "I would never have served this in South Africa" -
a swimming pool cake with a shallow end and a deep end! This made my whole evening! What enjoyment and laughter. At last another lady who experiences the same difficulties and now I don't feel quite so inadequate!

New flags have gone up at the office and its really starting to look well established.

Norway, Ghana, Brazil, South Africa, Uruguay.

Another Buddy body position.

Buddy's teeth must be very sore as he relentlessly chews everything. As we are walking past him he has to have a quick nip at our ankles, shoes or my skirt. If we are patting him he bites our hands, fingers or our arms. We are convinced his DNA contains Pit bull or Teenager because he is tenacious and always has to have the last say.
If I point my finger at him and shout "NO!" sharply when he is biting me, he stops, stares at me with bright eyes for a few seconds and then has one quick last nip as if to say "You can't tell me what to do!"

Thus spake Buddy!

This dear little chap should have been named "Shadow" as I can't move without him following me

BUT