The Universal Language of FOOTBALL!

Have just tried to post some photo's, but after a few attempts, its unfortunately not worked!

The weekend

Saturday - Day 6

Got up and went into the Hospital for a few hours.
Then Becky and Steve came and whisked me away and took me for a tour!

We drove into the city of Ghana - Accra, amongst the crazy drivers. Honking is the way forward over here, you wouldn't get anywhere on the road of your horn didn't work! The roads are sooo busy and it takes a really long time to get anywhere.
They have public transport called 'tro-tro's', which are like mini-buses which fit as many people in as they want to and just pull over whenever they see a person at the side of the road.

We saw the last minute preparations for the African Cup of Nations - like still painting and actually building some roads, with one day to go!! The place has been cleaned up a lot too for the football, so I am probably seeing some of the city with a biased view to what it normally looks like. We drove past the football stadium the 'Ohene Djan Sports stadium' which is right next to Independence Square a big archway celebrating Ghana's independence from England in 1957.

They took me to 'Frankie's', a diner, which apparently has the best burger and chips in Africa (and one of the best places for food in Accra), so it would have been rude not to try it and it was really good, but after days of eating crackers and toast, I could hardly eat it all!!

After, food we went food shopping - stocking up on supplies.
Thanks Ruth for the chocolate buttons! They were yummy and a great way to introduce Yanks to the world of Cadburys. However, I think I'd have been very lost and lonely without them - and they've been really good and kind and have been looking after me, like telling me the price of stuff should be so no-one tries ripping me off, etc.

Driving back to Teshie (the area where I am staying) we drove through some real poverty stricken areas - probably the worst I have ever seen in my life before. It really takes your breath away and makes you quite speechless...........

Sunday - Day 7

Didn't do an awful lot today, the Hospital quite quiet.
Went to Church at the compound, which was quite an expereince. I had to stand up in front of everyone as well - very embarrassing!

After Church and Sunday School Class which was an early start and took up most of the day!
I managed to sit out in the sun, the first time since I've got here. Its strange weather called 'hamatan' where its is very dry and occasionally windy. As the soil is very red and dry, it blows and gets everywhere. Its a bit like there winter, because there is no tropical rain for the crops or water stocks to replenish.

Later on, I was invited with Becky and Steve to one of their friend's Stacy's (a boy - who they met over here in Ghana). He's in the US Navy and has a TV and they often go over and watch the American Football on CNN. It was great to just relax on a sofa and have a BBQ and just chat to people. He lives in a really nice and upmarket area of Accra, where a lot of the Diplomats and ex-pat's live and they all have their own personal security..... Its hard to believe so close to the slum areas I saw yesterday.

Well, whilst they were watching American football, the 'Soccer' was on with the all important Ghana - Guinea match. Driving to the Navy guy's house you could see the distant light of a television on in areas, such as, shops and petrol stations that had loads of people gathered round to watch the match! We were driving when Ghana scored first and there were riots in the streets with hundreds of people including children running out into the roads with flags, trumpets and whistles, etc. The atmosphere was amazing.

Miss you all loads

love lucy x x x