Ghana University

It is Tuesday the 26th and I ventured out alone this morning in the Hattoo community on Papao 11 Street where I am staying. It was 0800 and it was already as hot as the hottest midday sun back in the UK. I walked to Exchange Sterling but they were closed. So I walked up and down the main road for an hour looking at the roadside huts that are often metal shipping containers that are called shops. I took many photographs one of which was a guy, a bench, some wheels and some new tyres all under a tree. In the UK that would be KwikFit. This was a stunning message as to the differences in our communities, the African existence for many people is so basic. I managed to change twenty pounds for 41 Cedis and bought some Rasberry Jam, a Chelsea Bun that is the size of a Loaf and is called, wait for it... CHELSEA Bread. It is also labelled as the one you need. As promised I returned my two Fanta bottles to a grateful shop owner and bought a tin of Fanta and a tin of Nescafe Coffee. Like ours, but in a tin with a sealable lid instead of a jar. The Jam was expensive at 4 Cedis 40 which is about 2.25 THEY EARN A LOT LESS THAN US so this was a killer price. Frosties were 7 Cedis 50 but the bread was i Cedis, i.e. 50p

"Bottled water is great but Fanta is huge"

In case the World News is misleading, the serious flooding is in the north of the country and nowhere near me. Mind you, this is the rainy season [hence the flooding] and the skies opened lunch time with what was like a monsoon. Even inside the house the sites today were amazing with women mainly and some men walking past with huge bags, basins, boxes on their head and not holding on. Every corner and street has traders and everyone is out to make money as there is no social care system. Education is a problem as children are a commodity that can clean, cook and earn money for the family instead of going to school. It's cool by the way, I'm sat here with my water and under a ceiling fan. Bottled water is great but Fanta is huge. I didn't have any today! Coke is also cool and Juice of any kind is massive. The main Fanta story is that the shop wanted me to drink it there and then as they don't let the bottles leave the premises as they are valuable. The bottle is worth more than the Fanta and they are charged less if they return bottles. We talked them into allowing me to take the bottles unopened and during tomorrow's adventure I intend returning the two bottles...

"I read a whole book today"

I am sat on a bed [in another room where there is internet access] using an Apple Mac. I am staying with Michael's friend Jeff who is a school teacher. His English is excellent, and so are his values. Jeff has explained where the Exchange Bureau is and I am off to change £20 in the morning, and then travelling by African Bus into Accra Central. It is called Accra central as Accra has a population in excess of 2m and it is split into several parts. I have visited Pantang and Jeff is writing down the name of his community and his address, plus giving me his cell number so I can get back ok. He has also explained that the tipping should be 50 [their currency goes from 1 to 100 like our pennies and then known as 1, 2, and so on like our pounds] and a beggar should be given 20 (pennies). I know that I must drink bottled water and eat inside a restaurant... Jeff and his girlfriend are taking me to the Wedding on Saturday. I read a whole book today, something that I last did in one day when I had chicken pox and I read the Godfather throughout the night.

"Juice is big in Africa"

Church was so good, the dancing, the singing, the choir and the sermons. Afterwards we drove a long way to Patricia's Mums house and the house is unfinished and we sat on patio chairs inside because of the heat. Patricia, Alice and Josephine peeled and cooked Yam, rice and a fantastic hot stew. I was starving as I had eaten bread and tea at 0730 and this was 4.30 pm. I drank several pints of water, many Fanta's and two pints of apple juice. Juice is big in Africa. Heat is also big, but my bedroom and the lounge where I am staying have ceiling fans and built in Mosquito nets with the windows open. It was so warm at Patricia's that we sat outside and went walking along the mud tracks that are called roads. Me in my new trousers, and long sleeve shirt with my collar done up to avoid insect bites and them in shorts and sandals. A lifetime of experiences in only two days... take care and look after one another.

"The African Bus Thing"

Well, what an experience. We stood by the side of the road and a packed unmarked random minibus came by. We got on and there was Nigerian Music playing and seats that fold down because there is no aisle and you get off to let others get off and then you get back on. The heat and humidity was crushing and this was before church - and the journey was longer than Aberystwyth to Aberaeron....

"I have so much to tell you all"

Wow, unbelievable. I have so much to tell you all, but a good summary is that Church this morning was wonderful. And YES, I did dance my way along the aisle in front of 400 people to place my money in the collection box at the front. Everyone was/is so kind. The humidity is crushing and there is so much poverty. I know very little about customs, circumstances and what is safe and what is not - for example I must not drink packet water sold by the roadside as it is their water sealed in the factory and is unsafe for me. Patricia and her cousin Alice collected me this morning, and announced WE ARE GOING TO DO THE AFRICAN BUS THING...