There's a new Obromi in town.

Sorry about my absence, but this is the first time I have been able to get to the internet since arriving in Dawhenya.

I would love to get pictures to you but technical hitches abound here. I will keep trying. Part of the problem is that people don't really like having their photos taken in Ghana. I can understand that. So..when I can..there will be lots of photos of little kids and "things" (boats, houses etc). The little ones insist on their photos being taken....knocking on my door whenever I am home...must stop that one!

What an amazing place! I think I am still pretty "shocked " by everything around me. People say that I am settling in well, but I think I could be taking a little longer than they think....Won't elaborate because I think this small weird feeling is temporary.

However! The school, Calvary Academy, is actually a part public part private set-up . Education in Ghana is supposed to be free....but this is not correct. Many children simply cannot afford to come, working for the family takes precedence, especially for the girls. The town kids sometimes hang around the edges of the school...almost as if education will rub off by proximity. Their eagerness to learn is extraordinary.

I am the new Obromi (or white person) in town. People in Ghana take their politeness and their Christianity with equal seriousness. In fact, they seem to be somehow intertwined with a national pride in genuine good manners! One must formally greet everyone else....before a conversation takes place. And I do mean everyone! Walking down the street takes some time these days. Still...it's a nice change from the pace of the western world, where none of us have time for much at all. It's also compulsory...if you don't slow down in Africa..I have a feeling you may die! It's so darned hot, I'm usually a puddle by 8am.

My little house is interesting. mud walls, dirt floors...I'm learning how to keep it all in order though...lots of sweeping dirt from one place to another...it works!

We have a sort of interrupted electricity supply, so I positively fall on the jug to get a cuppa when the power is on! The whole thing is largely black coffee...pure water (comes in little plastic bags which you tear the edge off to drink) and lots of eggs! Oh and beer...don't think I'll be losing much weight here. ...probably a good thing.

Otherwise, the morning starts at about 3.30 with the race between the rooster and the mosque...not sure who wakes whom here!

Then the mosque is quiet ...but not those damned chooks...who prattle away until next call to prayer..5am, by which time the women are awake and start the sweeping. So...all in all it's a good idea to go to bed when the sun goes down...otherwise you don't sleep much.

My first day I actually got up at 5 and went for a run. Local hilarity!!! "The Obromi is running." And everyone in town knew ...foolish white woman. NO ONE RUNS in Africa... Goodness knows how they get all those wonderful long distance runners....haven't done it again.

School at 7.30. The poor little devils work from 8---12.30 No breaks! The kids seem OK with it....I get to about 9am..feel sick...drink water...sweat a lot...feel sick again and then OK. The whole cycle repeats every hour of the day. I'm actually getting used to it...a bit.
I'm teaching a sort of Integrated science. But from what I can gather it's largely "integrated" with God--even where you wouldn't expect to find Him..so Penny is VERY careful of her big mouth these days....for all sorts of reasons.
I have come away from Dawhenya to the capital Accra for the weekend and to find internet access. Didn't happen..the access that is. Also I found Accra to be a bit overwhelming at the moment. I'll have another go another time.
I have retreated to a small hotel closer to home...but on the coast...blessed relief! And they have the net...yippee. You can't swim at the beaches here sadly. Too polluted and too dangerous,but each place has a little pool and I'm a very happy Aussie girl for that.
I go back home by tro-tro this afternoon. A tro- tro is like a Hi Ace van that you signal on the road. It picks up about 15 people on it's way to wherever it's headed. It's cheap and it's easy and, as always, the people are unceasingly polite and helpful. If I'm not careful I may learn some manners in this country!

I have found out that there is another internet cafe close to home, so will post from there more often and will work out how to get the photos up and running.