We have gradually figured out a schedule that works for us. For exercise, I need to work out in the morning (too much to do when we get home at 5:30-6:00). So we get up, Jordan does some stretches and push-ups and then gets ready for the day. I head to the treadmill or out for a walk in the neighborhood and get going. By the time I return, Jordan is ready to head to the office. For my cool down, I drive him to the office, which is only 5-7 min away (depending on traffic), drop him off at the gate of the temple compound and circle back around the block to home. Then I get ready and head off to the office also. Jordan loves to run stairs after work (all 8 floors up and down several times, as well as jumping rope). It seems to work! It took us a while to figure it out though. :/
DOORS
Shortly after we arrived in Ghana, we noticed a pile of shavings at the bottom of our door as we would leave for the office. After discovering it a few times and watching the pile grow, Jordan realized we must have termites! We alerted the management here at Beaufort Ridge. They didn't seem too bothered. Over the next few months, the piles would grow and disappear, return and get bigger. We continued to mention this to management, even sending pictures of the little sand piles that we gathering at the door. After about 5 months of reminding management, they finally came to inspect. By that time, we actually had a small hole in the door. The hole is getting bigger each day and about the size of a quarter now. Management said they treated the door for termites, so we shall see if it fixes the problem. We still see little piles of sand here and there. Who knows!
The other day, I was fixing dinner after work while Jordan was running stairs. After about 30 min I heard my phone ringing and answered it. Jordan said, "Hey, where are you?" I said, "What do you mean where am I? Here in the kitchen! Where are you?" He said, "I'm outside and you locked the door! I've been knocking for forever!" I said, "I didn't lock the door! Are you sure you are at the right apt?" To which I hear a surprised and shocked, "Oh dang! I'm a floor up!" Luckily, no one was home. Had they been home and had their door unlocked, they may have had a terrible shock upon Jordan blasting inside hot and sweaty and ready for a shower!
MONEY
The money in Ghana is quite interesting. The currency of Ghana is Cedi (pronounced "see-dee"). The word cedi derives from the Akan word for the cowrie shell, which was widely used for currency long ago. The cedi is prefixed GHS, or by the ₵ symbol. Cedis can only be obtained in Ghana.
The currency of Ghana is the cedi (pronounced "see-dee"). The word cedi derives from the Akan word for the cowrie shell, which was widely used for currency long ago. We have discovered cowrie shells when diving in various parts of the world, and they are beautiful, never to be removed from the sea because they are rare and precious.
This is the currency:
Notice the six men on each of the cedi notes. These are the "Big Six" who are the fathers of Ghanaian independence, including Ghana's first post-independence President, Kwame Nkrumah at the top left. The 200 cedi note, ₵200, is the largest denomination available. Notice that the larger the denomination, the larger the size of the note.
Pesewas are the coins and 100 pesewas make 1 cedi. The largest coin is equal to 2 cedis. The smallest is teh copper 1 pesewa coin, which is exceedingly rare because it is useless (I haven't seen one yet!).
Carrying ₵50 notes or larger is convenient for large purchases, but many places where you spend money will not be able to make change for these bills - or even a 20 cedi note! It is always a good idea to keep a lot of small cedi notes in your pockets. Easier said than done! I'm always scrambling to find smaller bills. When we get money from an ATM, it is always 50 or 100 cedi notes. So, it becomes more challenging to keep the small bills!
ARTWORK
I have been looking for some art while here in Ghana, that speaks to me. I have of course found lots! I recently purchased some beautiful bronze statues depicting women and their various roles in Ghanaian culture and society. I also found these beautifully, hand-crafted and one of a kind, String Art pictures. The little man that makes these is David. He is 78 yrs old. He spends much time in creating each piece. Each of these pictures take about 6 weeks to create. I love them! Can you see the babies tied on the back of these women, carrying baskets of important items for their families on their heads? I of course love fish! If you have been in my home, you know this! They are everywhere! Fish speak to me!
Everything in Ghana is bright and beatuiful! I love it all so much! There is such joy here, despite the circumstances of so many. A great reminder to cherish life, no matter the difficulties that will surely come.
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