Accra Saga Part 3

Okay, memo to self, don't put off writing blog entries it just makes it a right mother to get in all down later.
Still working with the Accra theme, and a bit more of a work related track, I had a chance to interview the women from Salinargu that had gone with Adisa to the trade fair in Japan. Was probably one of the better experiences I've had since being here, seeing the genuine enthusiam of people taking in the world for the first time. It's hard for me to imagine, coming from Canada, what it must be like for someone to developed society for the first time, these women had never even been to Accra before! Hearing them talk about the plane, trains, beach, and seeing a different culture was all in all rewarding. Amazing too was the amount of encouragement they derived from the interest that people showed in their work, it was a validation that the dreams they have could come true I think. Didn't hurt either that one of the major comments that the exporters had was that they were against any sort of mechanization of the butter/soap processes, which helps the women who were worried about the capital cost of machines. Also, JICA, which is basically the Japanese version of CIDA are paying for, and doing all the paper work for the women to become organically certified in Asia, which should only add to the orders that are already coming in. Biggest learning point the women said they were bringing back was sanitation, meaning personal hygiene as well as cleaniness of the manufacturing site, something I never even considered when profiling the assoc. so it was cool to have my perspective broadened. Hightlight of the whole interview was one of the women getting up and teaching Safia how she should use the electric airport walkway when she travels.
Being in the office in Accra was a kinda odd experience, I loved the environment, super friendly and lively, but I didn't really have any work to do, which meant I just trolled the internet too much. Which brings me to my next point, out of the fire of my misery I came up with and rolled out what I've termed "Henry's Mental Sanity Plan". It basically involves, cutting back on internet, phone calls, taking better care of myself physically, journaling, and generally remembering what a beautiful woman told me before I left, "remember your in Africa". The electronic communication hurt me particularily cause I think I was trying to be a part of people's lives back home, when in truth I just can't, I have to step off the train, and looking through such a small window is messy. Plus I figure there's no way I should be checking my emails so frequently that I don't have new messages, I am supposed to be 1000's of miles away. Along with all this I decided that I needed to do things that I wanted to instead of doing the status quo, so I decided to take a different bus line, Greater Imperial Transport, as opposed to the ewb standard stc. One of the best decisions I've made so far! Station was definately in the ghetto, and the bus less fancy, but the seats were infinately more comfortable, they only played one nigerian movie (they lick...don't care what anyone says..they just suck), was 7 cedi's cheaper, and I felt like I was travelling with the regular populous. Ride was picturesque, with all my personal garbage I've never sat and watched the country go by as I've taken the bus. Going over the volta river at dusk, with the people out fishing was something that will stick with me forever I think, couldn't bring myself to bastardise it with a picture. Though on a side note I have started employing a take more pictures mentality. Another funny moment about the bus was before it got going there was a argument about who should sit in one of the middle seats behind me. Picture me just sitting there reading my book smiling as everyone goes crazy, Ghanaians love to yell and get involved so it took about 15 minutes before the whole issue was resolved. Best part was a group of people at the front loudly starting the "just throw him off the bus and replace him!" movement.
Anyway I got back to Tamale in the evening, and managed to snag a lift with Mustapha on the motor bike back to Pagazaa. Definately going to get a license when I get home, sorry mom, but it might be the best way to go cross-country. For sure the bicycle is my urban movement machine, but the idea of having an old Indian for heading out camping has completely infected me.
Stick on the ice but elbows up
Cheers