I will give you a run-down of what a day looks like for Frank and I. This morning, Frank woke up first. Before heading downstairs to turn on the coffee pot, he switched on the hot water heater for our showers. I joined him in the kitchen and we enjoyed a cup of coffee together. We decided what we needed to buy in the market, writing a list of the few things we would pick up:

1. Groundnut Paste (like peanut butter)
2. Groundnuts
3. A sim card and credits for Frank’s new phone
4. Veggies
5. Eggs
6. Bread

Frank did a load of laundry (in two plastic buckets, one blue and the other green) while I folded the last load of laundry he did and then did some inspirational reading and writing in my journal (thank you, Helen and Bob!). Once Frank finished the laundry, I hung it up to dry out on our patio. Once that was done, we took showers and then headed out to the market.

Our first stop was at the booth where he could get his sim card and phone credits. That done, we headed down the road to the shop that sells the groundnut paste. We also picked up a snack mix there with nuts and other unidentifiable edibles. We saw a bookstore across the street, so I headed over there to see if they might have a map of Ghana or an English-Twi dictionary, neither of which did they carry. (Perhaps, we can pick those up in Accra at the airport next week.)

After the bookstore, we headed down the road to the busier part of the market where we had not yet ventured. This market was filled with vendors selling everything imaginable, milling with people, but with fewer taxis than where we began. We walked to the end to find that we had arrived at the beach where there were children playing with miniature fishing boats and boats were anchored out in the water, which is different from what we see close to our house, where the fisherman pull the boats completely out of the water and dock them on the beach.

We headed back to where we began our walk and bought a few onions, bell peppers, a “pear” (maybe – it was giant and had a hard peel on the outside), and a few eggs. I also bought a coconut and had the guy just chop off the top with his machete so that I could drink the delicious and extremely healthy coconut water on the inside. We continued toward home and picked up two loaves of freshly made bread and some groundnuts.

Once we arrived home, we stashed the groceries and sat out on the patio to cool down a bit. We watched the fellows installing tiles on the new lodge being built next door, the cabbies running by, the tops of peoples’ heads bob past, the butterflies flitting around the flowers, the dogs and children coming and going, the palms blowing. We can hear the waves crashing on the beach, the hammers and power saws used by the construction workers, children yelling, people talking, the fisherman pulling in the nets, the sound of electronic music pounding from the beach, dogs barking, roosters crowing, taxis honking.

We read. I am on my fourth mystery since I arrived, the first books I have read for fun in months!

Eating here is interesting. For the most part, we are too hot and tired to eat. I usually have bread with groundnut paste and jam for breakfast with a piece of fruit. I might have the same thing for lunch. We did buy some ramen-like packets, so I tried that today.

We take a walk to Manuel’s Hostel to get a soft drink and use the wi-fi for awhile.

We will likely have rice and veggies with groundnuts for dinner, made in the kitchen at home. (Frank wanted pizza, but the pizza maker was off today at Manuel’s!)

By the way, the temperature is mild here. The humidity is very high, though.

Tuesday, I headed over to the South Campus to await my ride. Frank was with me. We had walked about half way when my telephone rang. Our ride informed us that he would be about 40 minutes late. Frank and I decided to go on to the Department office and take advantage of the Internet. When we arrived, the door was locked, but we had just passed someone who was heading off to get the key. We waited and when she returned we headed back up the stairs to the office. The wi-fi was pretty iffy.

Our ride arrived and we headed over to the North Campus to the clinic. We went in and met the Administrator, who said that the visit would have been much more expeditious had I gotten my chest x-ray done first. The x-ray could not be done at the clinic. Since we did not have it, I could start by going to the lab and then to the nurse’s station. First, I paid my 50 cedis (about $15 American) for the exam and began the exam. I have to admit that the facilities were not the most promising I have ever seen, but the medical staff were pleasant and professional. Once I had done the usual tests and the male nurse took my vitals, I headed off to get the chest x-ray.

We decided to stop at the bank first, because it was on the way. It turns out that one needs a work permit or a residence permit to open an account. I have a business visa, but not one of those permits. I should have gotten them when I went through Customs at the airport in Accra. How did I miss that important step before arriving here? I will check on that when I go to the Embassy and then go to the airport and back to Customs.

The x-ray lab was off campus and across town through Tuesday Market Day – very busy streets with people hustling through traffic horns beeping in warning, constantly. We arrived at the lab where I was told that the technician had to go to the hospital and would not return for 45 minutes and would I like to wait. I said that I would wait. We sat. Lots of very ill people came in and out. I hoped and prayed that they were better after their visit. Once the technician arrived, he quickly took me in, did the x-ray and sent me on my way. I paid my 35 cedis (or about $10 American) and we headed back to the clinic. It was after 12:00, so I figured that I would have to wait until after lunch. I was so relieved to find that the doctor would see me. She reviewed the lab results, my vitals, the x-ray, listened to my heart, finished filling out the form and sent me back to HR. The cost for both the exam at the clinic and the x-ray were extremely reasonable.

We decided that based on my experience the previous day, breaking for lunch might be the better choice, so off we went to the Home Economics Restaurant on campus. Frank had jollof rice and chicken, while I had plain rice, fried plantains, and beans (black-eyed peas). I also had a Pineapple Juice, so sweet and refreshing!

We finished at 1:30 and headed over to HR. We went directly to the Director’s office, presented my medical form, filled out the registry, and then received two forms to complete in triplicate, another to complete in duplicate, and a fourth on which I should get the Department Head’s signature. He is out of town, so I will get that on Thursday. I also need several passport size photos.

We went to chat with the Director of International Affairs about the work permit/residence permit issue. We agreed that the Embassy would be a fine place to inquire into that issue and then head over to the airport and Customs on that same day. As we exited the building, I met a linguist from Texas A&M who is working on documenting an endangered language. There is one deaf man living in the village who is learning how to read. He said this is rife with opportunity for someone to come and document his story. If anyone is interested, let me know!

Monday, my plan was to report to work (though, that was not what I was calling it until later – I thought I was filling out paperwork). I headed over to the South Campus Department office to wait for a ride. I was able to download the Ghana travel guide recommended by Mary, our German acquaintance. It is a great resource and I am so glad I have it. It has a few helpful Twi words and phrases that surprised and pleased our neighbors living in the other house on the property when I tried them out on Tuesday morning.

I rode over to the North Campus with the Department Head. After the driver dropped off the Department Head, he took me to what appears to be the Administrative building and the department of Public Relations. Andy, the man who worked there, was extremely helpful. He printed my letter of acceptance and introduced me to Human Resources. The woman at HR suggested that I return after lunch. It was approximately 10:00 in the morning, so I had quite a bit of time on my hands. I thought I would take advantage of the time and find a place to plug into the Internet. So, I headed back to see Andy and asked him if there was a library. He said that there was (as I suspected), but it was not close. He doubtfully suggested the “Internet Café” in the building across the parking lot. I wandered for some time, before asking a female security guard where it was. I was expecting a lounge with an espresso bar (I know, I forgot that I am not supposed to do that here). What I saw was a room with rows of tables and chairs. I sat down and plugged into the Internet. I was able to accomplish several things and then read through parts of the Ghana travel guide.

At about 1:00, I ate my Groundnut Paste and Apricot Jam sandwich and then headed back over to HR. When I arrived for an orientation, she said that I should go to another room, where I met a familiar face. I had not met anyone in HR when I was at the UEW the first time. I didn’t figure out until later how I knew him. He was the Interim Director of International Affairs! So pleasant, but on his way to some work on two other campuses. He called International Affairs and off I traipsed to see what kind of guidance I could get there. I saw Rose, who was the person who met us at the airport in March 2014. That was nice and then she hooked me up with the Director, who it turns out was on sabbatical when I was there the first time. He was very supportive and helpful. I made an appointment with the U.S. Embassy. He thought it would be good for us to check in there. I have already registered with Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, but a visit to the Embassy seemed like a good idea.

I met with the Assistant Director after that. We made arrangements for a driver and a ride to Accra. Then I was hastened off to HR, again. This time the person I needed to see was not in, so I ended up in the Director’s office. He determined that before I could sign the register, I would need to be cleared by the Health Clinic. I was given a medical form and tasked with a visit to the clinic. At this point, it was 4:00 in the afternoon, so we determined that the next day would be better and I headed back to the South Campus.

I was exhausted and wondered how I might have known more about the process before I arrived.

The “lights out” or power outages have been frequent and last for anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. Wi-fi withdrawal is hitting me hard. I am Internet-dependent for everything. Unfortunately, I have not discovered a remedy for this yet. I suppose that time will help me to “unplug” from the Internet with more comfort, but, for now, I am feeling withdrawal pains.

Thursday, Frank and I took a taxi to the West Hills Mall about one hour away to buy some household items. We also wanted to see if we could get a cable for his camera and a sim card that would work for my phone. No luck on either of the latter. We do not need the cable, because the memory card will fit in both of our laptops. For some reason, my Samsung Gallaxy will not cooperate with the sim cards here.

After returning to Winneba, we headed to the Summeryard Café. We met a young German woman, Mary, and her mother. They were staying at the Summeryard for a couple of days. They joined us for dinner. Mary has been in Ghana for almost one year volunteering at a hospital. She said that the German government will sponsor young people who want to volunteer in a developing country. She said that we would be likely to meet many young Germans in Ghana. Her mother was here to visit and bring her home. I caught up a little on the Internet and then we walked home in the still darkness.

We went to a special UEW convocation yesterday where four honorary doctorates were conferred. One was given to the former President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency Mr. John Agyekum Kofour, one was given to Evangelical Presbyterian Minister and former acting Chairman of the UEW Council, Reverend Dr. Livingstone K. Bauma, another to Professor Michael Lewis Shattock for his contributions to higher education world wide, and, finally, one to CEO, EPP Books and President of Zenith University College, Mr. Alhaji Gibrine Adam, for his entrepreneurial and philanthropic works. The ceremony was a mixture of present and traditional Ghana with music and dance from both the current day and the more traditional. There were speeches and the conferring of the honorary doctorates. The honorary doctoral regalia are the black packages in the lap of the woman seated on the platform. They were handed down to the stage by the woman standing on the platform.

After the convocation on our ride back home, we learned that the strike by the teaching staff had been resolved. I will report to work on Monday morning.

Today is Saturday. We have been here for one week. This morning, we took a walk on the beach to find lines and lines of people from the fishing village pulling in the nets. Frank went out and helped to pull them in. There were about 40 people working on the net he was on and there were the same number on at least four other lines. We saw our neighbors who live on our property. The mother was holding someone else’s baby on her back and her 3-year old son was running from boat to boat with other young boys.