Surprise!

Surprise!

I have changed my mind. As my Dad would say, "That's how you keep it clean Shannie!"
Yoh! I really miss my parents. And my children. And my family. And my friends. And...

I had to weigh up my reasons for stopping against the reasons for starting again. No contest. I have had withdrawal symptoms and have felt disconnected and alone. Being in contact this way fulfils my soul and that is more important to me. I have not posted for months and there have been a few changes in our lives.

We live in a little Estate called Rehoboth in South Africa and I saw this vehicle in Accra!

The Shinning Spot in Kwame Danso.

If you want to improve your life better then use shine-feel!

Todd has joined the team.  He is from Canada and has been employed to run the mulchers and chainsaws. He has gone back to Canada but comes back permanently in the next few days. The team is growing and this should make everyone's lives more interesting and varied.

Per and Anna have arrived.  They were here for 7 weeks before flying back to Sweden to tie up some transactions before coming back here on a permanent basis.  Per is the new GM and Anna will also be working for the company.  Per has already made a difference and Anna is enthusiastic and a breath of fresh air.  It will be wonderful for me to have a lady with whom I can share thoughts, shopping and bad hair days.  Yay, I have someone here who can speak girl! Per gets back this weekend and we hear that Anna should return sometime in September.

Bawa and Faustina got married last Sunday and we were invited to the wedding.  It was slightly different to Kingford's wedding in that it was less formal. Fortunately it was a relatively cool and cloudy morning.

Bawa waiting for his bride.

 He and Faustina did not acknowledge each other during the ceremony.

This delightful minister also gave us English words of wisdom as the other one had.  He told us that "one plus one equals one" to which I nodded while pointing out Porks and myself and then we both laughed...the minister and I. Not Porks. He is unaware of what is said at weddings! (Hey Pips?)

We were also told that there are "three important dates in ones life...birth, marriage and death". Another important lesson is that "marriage is a long conversation with short periods of disputes". Are you listening people?

The "come as you are" attitude is humbling and heart-warming.

Bawa and Faustina were called up to take their vows.

As with the other wedding this was happy, noisy and very casual.  The congregation were quite at ease chatting amongst themselves and walking around while the ceremony was being performed.  We could all learn lessons from these non-judgemental and tolerant Ghanaians.  The crowd more than doubled once we had arrived and were very enthusiastic in showing their support.  The bride and groom are in the middle there somewhere.

"You may now kiss the bride" to whoops of cheering and laughter.

 The shy newlyweds.

Gilbert sat next to me and translated the messages spoken to the congregation.  He was extremely helpful and a real gentleman.  He met us at our vehicle and showed us to our seats. We, as always, had v.i.p. treatment and positions.

A few Ghanaians were sent to South Africa for nursery, plants not people, training.  One lady, Emelia, came back and proudly said to Porks, "Sawubona, unjani?" with hysterical laughter! Delightful!

The electricity has been behaving relatively well for more than a week now. Phew! Before that, it had been going off for more than 12 hours every day. Our fridge balances on a shelf and one morning I heard a huge bang. The constantly defrosting fridge had leaked onto the shelf which eventually disintegrated and collapsed.  I phoned Porks to tell him that our fridge had committed suicide.

On Tuesday while Porks was at work there was loud cheering, drumming and singing coming from the school grounds near our house.  Lizzy, my helper, told me that schools from the nearby villages and our local Bantama schools were having a dance and drama competition. So I went along with her to watch.

I peeked over our wall to observe the activities.

We arrived to excited crowds of school children, teachers and dignitaries.  I was, again, ushered to a comfortable chair in the shade with the main manne.

The children had skillfully crafted these intricate vehicles.  Note the rear-view mirrors nogal!

 The girls and boys danced in rhythm to their peer's drumming and singing.

Then they performed mini plays in English to much raucous laughter.

I watched for approximately two hours but it only finished in the late afternoon.  Lizzy informed me the following day that the teachers were grateful that I had attended.

Guess what? Bantama schools won!

I bought three pieces of Ghanaian fabric to take home with me. Each piece costs 50 Cedis, about R170, for 6 yards. That is how it is sold. The colours and designs are bright and unusual. One is for a tablecloth, another for a quilt. 

The third I have had made locally into a dress for approximately R70, the equivalent of 20 Cedis. If by any chance we are invited to another wedding or another formal occasion, I'll be able to dress up and blend in with the other Ghanaian ladies and not be conspicuous!

I had to do a little tweaking but it turned out very well.

I leave to go back home again on Thursday. 

Its great to be back.

Blogging that is!