“Traveling in Northern Volta require skills learnt from crossing rivers in Oregon Trail. Ford, flood, or keep going?”

I need a theme or something; these blog posts always turn out to be so random. But hey, it’s time for more show-and-tell! This was a kiddy pool compared to the rushing, knee-deep river that flooded over an international unpaved road, leaving trucks and passengers stranded. Good times were had by all as we crossed rock by rock.

I am always left in disbelief after a particularly harrowing journey; sometimes it feels as if these trucks could fly over ravines. And somehow, Ghanaians still manage to hang on to the vehicles.
Almost 2 months at site and I think I have been making good progress in establishing my identity in Kpassa and winning the friendship of the people through some good old Kaming charm. And man, am I charming my butt off. For example this past Sunday, I unintentionally got suckered into 5 hours of God time attending two church services (one in a church, one in a shanty out in the rice fields). Dance party! Some drumming.

The children living in my compound decided to play dress-up with Stephanie, my landlady’s one-year-old. I contributed the grey wig, a novelty birthday present which may prove to be useful in the near future. She’s got the cutest squint-face grin I have ever seen.
Shout-out to my mom for the unrequested gigantic bag of dumdum pops, which have kept me going since July with wonderful artificial fruit flavors. Obviously not as good as the real fruits but beggars can’t be choosers. I never knew how much one could grow to love and depend on dumdum pops.
Don’t you adore my fake-wood carpet?! I know I do.
Mellow Mood – Bob Marley and the Wailers