I once posted about a place to go horseback riding here, but in reality, there are TWO places to go horseback riding. The Accra Polo Club is the more ritzy option, and it is also very well done. They actually have polo matches every weekend, open to the public.
Ghana was once a British colony, and the sport of polo is still a part of the culture (primarily for the British Ghanaians). On this particular Sunday afternoon, it was a battle between locals, two matches played, families cheering them on. Because we had no idea what to expect, it was again surprisingly good. We sat on a patio having drinks and watched both matches - lazy Sunday afternoon. Very low key and easy going. The boys sat nearly the entire time just watching the horses - Drew made his way to the fence a few times to see a horse up close. It was quite fascinating as it was our first time to witness the sport of polo. It's fun to try and find the ball in the pictures where they are in game mode.....
Saturday, January 25, 2014
A glimpse at Mauritania
I haven't ever posted about Brett's job on the blog, but he does often find himself in unique African countries. Last week he spent it in Mauritania - most of which is covered by the Sahara Desert. I couldn't help myself from posting a few pics so you could be in awe as I was. The middle picture is a herd of camels - crazy! He did eat camel liver, hump fat, and back meat on this trip (he skipped eating the brain). No thank you! He also slept outside under the stars and landed his plane on a dirt strip. A real African Adventure!
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Accra Zoo (Achimota Forest)
Turns out there's a 'zoo' here. You'd think, right? It is, after all, AFRICA! Over Christmas break, me and a few of my mommy friends took the littles on a field trip! I like to say 'it was oddly good'. Way better than I expected to be honest. PERFECT for the 2 and 3 year olds. Chase was along as well and even he had some fun!! I saw MY first ever warthog and mongoose - so that was cool. As I've discovered with everything here - it doesn't really matter what we set out to do - it's always an adventure! And with friends - EVEN BETTER!
Warthogs |
This crocodile was 'stuffed', but some of the kids did touch a live snake |
They were obsessed with the ostrich egg |
Lots of monkeys - this one had a new baby |
Monday, January 13, 2014
Crazy for Coffins
Before moving here, I read online that 'fantasy coffins' are a thing in Accra - in fact, many craftsmen make their living making and selling them. Did you know that museums across the world have coffins sent to them for display that were made in Accra, Ghana? I did not. So you know I've been dying to check this out. Finally, made my way to two shops about a month ago, and then over Christmas break took the kids on a field trip to see Eric the Carpenter who has a well-known (third) shop and a big following.
'Funerals are a time of mourning, but also of celebration. The Ga people believe that when their loved ones die, they move on into another life -- and the Ga make sure they do so in style. They honor their dead with brightly colored coffins that celebrate the way they lived.
The coffins are designed to represent an aspect of the dead person's life -- such as a car if they were a driver, a fish if their livelihood was the sea -- or a sewing machine for a seamstress. They might also symbolize a vice -- such as a bottle of beer or a cigarette.
Ablade Glover, an artist who works with the carpenters, says the coffin acts as a home in the afterlife, so it must be beautiful.'(taken from www.ghanaweb.com)
Kane's shop |
The first shop we visited didn't have a sign and I thought I might fall through the ceiling a couple of times but he had a couple of things to show. Second shop was Kane Kwei's. Both carpenters were gracious and told us a few tidbits of their trade.
Working on a more common coffin |
miniature crab |
Work in progress |
Learning from Eric the carpenter and admiring pictures of past work |
This is actually a 'bar' inside |
A juice box with miniatures on top |
One of my faves, a flour sack |
miniature fishing boat |
Eric the carpenter |
Eagle |
Drinking Fanta and talking on the cell |
Pineapple |
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Beach Beauties (along the beach at Blue Diamond)
Teach a man to fish.....
On the morning of our second day, the fisherman were just a little ways down on the beach pulling in the days catch. I've wanted to see this process from start to finish but usually the reeling in takes more time than I've had or they reel it in further away than I can go. SO....I was very excited to hoof it down the beach and be a witness. Brett, our friend Joel, and even the boys, got in on a little of the action as well. Really - it just fascinates me. But, can I make this one observation? I've said it before, but truly, these people are resilient and unbelievably strong. I don't mean strong like muscle strong (although that's a given), but a tenacious, gritty, raw strong. Getting out of the city (chaos) is always good for me. It's a different Ghana experience, and one that I can appreciate. I wasn't involved in the pulling in of the net, but the guys said it was very hard. And I don't know exactly what was in the net, if it was a good day or bad, but I can testify that it is not an easy way to make your living or feed your family. Mercy. Yet, it is what they know and not a one of them complained. In fact, most of them had big smiles on their faces. Fascinating.
This boat followed the net into shore |
The first sign the net is getting closer - and the group continues to build |
The view from the middle |
It takes a village...literally. |
Such teamwork |
the catch |
Sorting through the catch |
Buckets used for sorting |
Heave Ho |
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