Lights Out in Ghana!

Ghana still has issues with its infrastructure. Supplying electricity is a huge problem. Roving outages are scheduled, usually for 12 hour periods in various parts of town. While one area is out, some other area is going full blast. If you don't have a generator and lots of people don't, you endure the outage in pure darkness. And let me tell you some areas are pitch black! They manage. Guess they are just used to it. Like that bucket, you had better have some alternative light source if you are planning to live in Ghana! Keep the cell phone charged, save all data when working on the computer and keep a modem (air card) because with the electricity goes your internet router! You must live to plan for outages... Crazy in 2014. I know...

Well, this a first. Our lights went out somewhere around 6am yesterday morning. It is almost 6am again, still no lights... Thankfully we have a generator but it runs on diesel fuel and as you can imagine, pumping it for 24 hours can get quite pricey. We turned it off for some portion of the day and overnight. I thought for sure when I returned last night, certainly when I awoke this morning, that the lights would be back on. Not! Oh Ghana...

Be thankful for the little things folks! We take so much for granted.

This is one Ghana-Ism that I will not miss...

Ghana-Ism: Ghanaian Meets "Bronie"

Ghana-Ism:

Today I travel to the Ashanti region, to Kumasi. I purposely travel by bus to see the country side, just as I did when in South Africa, from Jo'Burg to Durban. This ride however is much shorter, four hours as compared to seven or eight... Although I am thinking that I probably should have made arrangements to fly back. No need to see the country side coming and going. Oh Well...

When I called the bus company to inquire about price and scheduling, the agent was overly friendly and seemed impressed that I am a tourist scheduling a trip with his company. He very proudly told me how nice the buses are, how efficient the company is and that when I was ready to travel I should ask for him. Not a problem...

Shortly after speaking with him I get a call from an unknown number. I answer and he lets me know that it is him. This was a call from his personal number. Soon after again, I get a text message from the same number...  He texts "Hi Hellen its me again, Ive really not had any white frnd b4 and I would want us to be frnds if u ok with it" and then he signs his name...  Poor Thing!!!

I text back; Sorry to inform you but you still don't. Not that we are friends, but I am FAR from White. Helen from NJ (as I had referred to myself when he asked what state I was from) is a PROUD Black American woman! Burst his little bubble. He apologized profusely. I think he was terribly embarrassed and thought that he had hurt my feelings. He called and texted me back to make sure I knew how sorry he was. Told him not to sweat it. Sure he will never verbalize that assumption again...

Although I have been told that in some respects the Ghanaians consider Blacks [Americans] as they do Whites...  I am told it is because we "talk like them"...  They call us all "Bronies" (or something to that effect). I thought it was a derogatory term reserved for Whites but no, they call us (Black folks) Bronies too...  Conversely, I have been corrected more times than I can count when my response to what part of Africa I am from is that I am American. They smile and say yes but you are African and welcome me "home"! So there are mixed views regarding Black folks I suppose...

I am off to meet my "new best Friend" and travel to see the Ashanti region where I will stay for at least one night, if not two. Enjoy Your Day. I will report back in...

When Two Black Women Gather In Ghana...

Today I will have lunch with Dr. Esi Sutherland-Addy. She is the daughter of the late Efua Sutherland, noted poet, writer and author here in Ghana also the woman who most befriended and inspired Maya Angelou during her time in Ghana. She writes about their relationship in her book that I just finished reading, All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes

I feel honored that Professor Sutherland, who teaches at the Institute for African Studies at University of Ghana, agreed to give little ole' me some of her time. I met with her briefly in her office on Thursday. I stopped by her office expecting only to make an appointment to see her but she received me without an appointment. Ghanaians are such gracious people.

We chatted a bit. My interest in meeting with her is to share and get feedback and another perspective on what have been my experiences, observations and concerns while in Ghana. When it became evident that we will likely engage in spirited and insightful discussion, she suggested that we meet for lunch today.

Nothing by chance. It is no coincidence that Maya passed while I am here in Ghana thereby prompting me to read the book she wrote about her time in Ghana. I had no idea when I picked up the book that it had anything to do with Ghana. It is no coincidence that I will have lunch with the daughter of the woman who was such a tremendous influence for Maya during her journey in Ghana. Nothing by chance.

I look forward to being amazed following my Gathering with a Black Woman in Ghana...