Blogs from Lake Volta, Volta, Ghana, Africa - page 2

So, my apologies for being so terrible about updating this past month or so… But, no fear, no that I am officially done with classes, procrastination is in order. Therefore, here it goes… Ok, so sometime around 12 April, Eleanore and I finally made it back to Aburi to rent some mountain bikes. There was rumor of a baseball game against “the Cubans” (that’s how it was left) which never panned out, so bike time! Great, right? Well, yes- and okay, more yes. We get to the bike rental place, and are given helmets, I was given a child sized one… twice, but finally found an adult size that fit, and Eleanore and I were on our way- each with a helmet and back pack. The queens of cool. We were given a “map” of the ... read more

Today I awoke with a skip in my step and a promise in my heart. Today was the day I was going to conquer one of my greatest fears. I was going to hike up a mountain and enter the Lipke caves. I can't remember the first time I felt claustrophobic. Maybe it has become heightened because I was in a falling elevator while catering at the Peninsula Club. Perhaps it is from being squished into buses in Quito, whilst having my bag sliced open with a straight razor, or it may even be an inherited trait from my father. Whatever the cause, when the trip was announced I knew this would be my chance. I began the hike with a rare fervor. Today was the day! I hopped up the mountain, skipping over rocks and ... read more

Hello all! Because the computers are so slow here (we've been here for an hour, gone through a power outage, and now I am onto the first thing. An hour!) I thought I would take care of a few housekeeping things first, that pertain to only a few people. First, Kristen, this is me! Read on, sister! Second, Aunt Wynn or Mom, please call Walt and tell him this link. He sent me an email and in the subject line asked for the link. Smart man new it would take half an hour just to open it. Third, to all of you that have been messaging and commenting, thank you. It means a lot to me and I will get back to all of you personally upon my return. On to business. There have been a ... read more

I'm sitting here at the computer closest to the door, watching the goats pass by and listening to tribal music over the loudspeakers. This is the second computer I've tried, and the owner of the internet cafe hovers behind me and the other volunteers, making sure our computers are working fast enough for the spoiled Westerners. (they aren't.) The amount I have to tell you, after only being here for two days really, would take ages to write. Today, then, the highlights. Left the homebase yesterday morning for the first time with a group of girls I'm here with. Walking out of the gate it struck me immediately where I really was. Hollowed out buildings, two of them, were all I could see beyond dust-covered palms and shrubs, goats, and roosters. Walking on a little way ... read more

We gaan het weer proberen, bootje varen, noem het leef na de laatste keer voor drie weken vast te zitten op een kleine piroque maar goed, je moet wat. Deze keer is het een ‘’normale’’ veerboot die ons in naar schatting 24 uur van het Yeji een plaats aan het nootrden van het volta meer naar Akosombo in het zuiden moet brengen. We vertrekken uit Tamale rond de middag, de reguliere bus hebben we inmiddels gemist, dus het wordt een trotro, die ons naar Makongo moet brengen een plaatsje aan de overkant van het meer van Yeji. Vrij soepel bereiken we Makongo, of tenminste het eind van de weg, de plek van waar de veerpont naar Yeji zou moet vertrekken, deze gaat echter maar een keer per dag en die hebben we gemist. Van onze mede ... read more