Mekwaaba! (I went and came back)

On my final night in Accra I met my friend Pace for dinner. I was introduced to his friends Jillian and Elizabeth. We went to an Indian restaurant and had a smashing time! What great people and potentials travel mates while I am here :)

I have settled into my home in Patriensa. I arrived on Tuesday midday and used the afternoon to nest my room. Today the Kontihene and I went to market and stocked my pantry and purchased a cookstove for me to use in my outdoor kitchen. I should have a fridge by the weekend and all will be done (except adding a throw rug I spotted today at the market later for a bit of cozy comfort!).

When Kontihene picked me up yesterday the first thing he said in his cute Ghanaian voice was "Ow, Tim you got fat!" Well...so much for sparing feelings :) My internal clock has adjusted more quickly than my energy level. I wake up about 6am so this morning Prince and I went started our morning runs.

It is cool here now from the evenings through the mornings but blazing hot during the day. It's dry season so lil moisture in the air and lots of dust all about. The dust apparently is from the deserts north of Ghana and because of no moisture it travels all the way down to the Atlantic coasts. It has a name in Twi but I can't decipher exactly what they are saying. It was really bad in Accra but still pretty dusty here.

Last night I walked into town and visited with Felicia, the cook from our summer visit. I was able to see many familiar faces. I also had an egg sandwich for dinner which has been on my agenda since I arrived in Ghana. Prince and I then walked back to the compound and sat on the porch in the cool night air.

Tomorrow I will go and visit the Presby school and check on the well. Word on the street is it works but still no confirmation on how revenue is going on community sales. I will also go for a site visit at the Patriensa Pure Enterprise building. We have a Board of Director meeting this weekend. I also have several Skype meetings in the next couple of days with different partners back in the states.

I am excited to continue with the projects here in Patriensa. I am sure these four months will be filled with many emotionally charged challenges and accomplishments. These are perfect training grounds for the opportunity I will have to say, "My name is Tim Bailey and I am a Social Worker." For now, I am a student of the field. So glad I have Adam, Quen, and Antonia a bus ride away to share this experience.

Yebehia Bio (we will meet again soon)

Kwame Tim