summer visitor 2013

Ann-Bridgit Gary visited us in July to study the traditional and contemporary pottery scene in Ghana.
This is her first diary entry:

Recycle,recycle, my spirit is a recycled carnival of oddities, eggs on head,the market spirit,the 27 cedis for 6 yards of exquisite batiked fabric,beautiful fish and crabs and pigs innards and so much....plastics!

I find constant care here at Aba House with Aba,Talk True and Ben. Even the boys join in to welcome me in an attempt (failed) to set me up with a modem. Oh well - all things on Ghana time, now or later or even never. Aba takes me to a goldsmith because I liked her charming watch - a long very convoluted route to travel. Down this out of the way place and soda from the rest is as refreshing as the conversation I am having with a Ghanaian man who once lived in Toronto and has returned to be with his family. The stoutly goldsmith gives me designs to pick from and promises to bring them the next day on my Indian bracelet-now I have both India and Africa. Aba tells me what each piece means.

I touch down wondering what lies ahead-will I be picked up? Can I trust anyone? I find my name card - what a relief. But while my luggage is whisked off, I find myself giving a street peddler 2 bucks.

The rumbling car - the world at 11 p.m. I don't know where I am going. I must accept this dark, dreamy place and I can't believe I'm here. I find a soft room, an oh so welcomed bed and breakfast at 8 a.m. A bucket with a shower and in one week, I have come to love the spirit of Africa.

Honeymoon at Aba House

Lou and Ama came to Aba House for their honeymoon. Ama is from Kumasi, Ghana and Lou from Idaho, USA so they both experience living in two different cultures.

This is an excerpt from something Lou wrote on a trip to Ghana. If you'd like to read more about him his website is floufox.net

Many years ago a friend told me he was planning to go to Africa for the soul he was searching for. I understand now and I feel it. And as much as I want a piece of that, maybe it would be best to just pass through and not try to live with my values in it for very long. There is an African personalty, perhaps caused by the heat, that sucks the energy out of people who want to dig down and get things done.
So I go through the culture shift - not shock - of loving the place while thinking I'm in a big amusement park of amazing venues.
Come and see for yourself and enter the world smoothly with a guide like Ellie. You will feel welcomed by Ellie at Aba House, not far from Ghana's capital. I sure was. Cross Cultural Collaborative immerses you in the culture and Ellie's background as a teacher keeps one's curiosity alive.

We've got a cure for everything

On a light note we wish you a peaceful end to 2010 and a wonderful journey into the new year.

Pictured is a sign on one of our neighbors shops.

What better reason to come visit than a cure for menstral and eye problems all at the same time.