Observations

Spent today at the Arican Market in Osu as you can tell from the pics. I have noticed something different and healthy here. I have not seen one Ghanian with a cigarette or any other nicotine delivery system. Only Europeans smoke here with maybe a very rare Am. thrown in. Not everyone is poor here, although by our standards most are. But this cannot be the reason since the poor certainly smoke in the U.S. and many well to do people do also. It cuts across all classes in the U.S. At first I thought it maybe was a coincidence but each day brings the same result. Also, Ghanians do not seem to drink much and the beggars in the street are not inebriated. I wonder if they have less addictive personalities. I also notice that I see beer and wine ads but no cigarette or liquor ads. I note that some stores sell tobacco and liquor but I do not Ghanians purchasing these items, nor few others also. I wonder if thwe govt bans this or whether the tob and liquor cos. decided it would be a waste of money.

Tonight is the Colts/Patriots game and it will not be on in Ghana anywhere. But I can listen to the Colts radio announcers and follow the game graphically through nfl.com at no cost. Since DST just expired, the game will not start here until 9:15 pm. Rember losing the game may give that team greater incentive to adapt and win when they meet in the playoffs, although it is always better to win I suppose.

Till next time...

More Crafts

Some of the Caddies at their Shack

Hole No. One

Feeling a little better today. Decided to check out the local golf course and take some pics. The cost to play 18 is $12 Am., rental of clubs is $15 Am. A caddy is a necessity and there are many caddies, all of whom approach you at the entrance. The next shot will be of the caddies. This course is considered the best in Ghana but it obviously pales in comparison with Am. courses. The rough is all weeds except where there are bare spots, and the fairways are mostly crab grass with the greens in pretty poor shape. Where you find a waterhole you find vultures and white necked crows competing for the water.

Achimota Golf Club

Update

After reading the side effects to my anti-malerial pill I believe that is what I am experiencing. The pill is called Malarone. the insructions say not to give up on the pill as its side effects are so much better than the disease. Strangely, I have not seen a mosquito since I have been here, although I almost am never out in the evening when they are usually out and biting. Has anyone had experience with this latest anti-malerial? I have been lying low all day but hope to get out tom.

November Days

I gave my first lecture yesterday at the U. of Ghana Journalism School before their graduate students, and it went well. Today, Kwame returns from Rwanda, so he and I will catch up.

I am feeling a little under the weather with a slight temp and no appetite. I slept extra last night, so I hope I will soon get past this little malaise.

They are looking into a trip to Sierra Leone for me later in Nov. Our next piece of work is preparing the necessary background info for the class action lawsuit against The Gambia. I will need the facts on those journalists who will be identified in the suit. Also, I assume we may need to get their families OK for the suit as these families still live in The Gambia.

Halloween

BOO everybody! I am mindful that tonight is a big and magical night in the States. Not so here. It simply is not celebrated in Ghana. So there are no goblins out tonight. I know that all the grandkids will be dressed up and ready to go in a few hours. No one can beat Craig's record of 82 houses, the proof of which is when he passed out on the Josephs' lawn and later declared it the best day ever as he proceeded to reach a new sugar high. Can I urge Grace, Anne and Julia to a most enjoyable time tonight. I hope their costumes are special as I know they will be.