VACATION!!

Yeah – I know – I just had a vacation when Phyllis was here in January but that was in country. This was my first foray out of Ghana since I've been here. Besides – all work and no play……….

Hey – I just realized that I never said anything about my holiday with Phyllis. How rude of me. You must ALL (not sure if there are thousands who read my blog or just my brother and sister) be despondent, having waited a month to hear about my vacation and then I come up with some lame entry about the heat in Daboya! Well, I need to rectify that but I don't want to write an epic this month so I'll summarize the previous vacation. A good time was had by all! Ok, Ok, cheap shot. Here's a bit more.

Phyllis (for those of you not fortunate enough to know her, she has been a good friend since we were teens in White Meadow Lake. I'm proud to say that she considers me one of her closest girlfriends!) flew into Accra on Wednesday. Unfortunately, I got to Accra to meet her on Tuesday! No worries, mate. I discovered my error before shlepping to the airport and my friends in Accra, Raj and Birgit and their brand new baby (who is sooooooo cute!) were kind enough to put up with me for a second night. I recommend their place for anyone visiting Accra. Bed is soft, food is great, and the price is right (Just kidding Raj – hopefully you won't have a line of people at your door next week asking for the Pearlman Special Rate). We had a leisurely day shopping in Accra followed by a whirlwind Thursday where we took an early flight to Tamale, were picked up by my friend and tour guide Walisu and taken on his wonderful tour of the villages around Tamale, then off by Metro bus for the 2 hour ride to Daboya , canoe across the river and the 15 minute trek to my place in 117 degree heat. Then Phyllis collapsed and told me not to bother her for the rest of the week.

Trooper that she is, she rallied the next day to get a tour of Daboya (with my good friend Musah as guide) and sit in on the very end of the Chief's meeting …. With the Chief's horse standing right in the middle of it!

Oops – this is turning into that epic so I'll go to fast forward. We saw elephants, baboons, monkeys, warthogs, and different types of antelope type critters at Mole Park (where you have to lock your door to keep out the baboons who want to steal food), enjoyed a lunch with new PC Volunteer Hannah at The Junction (thank you Hannah), relaxed into a VERY (we were the only ones there) peaceful time at Kintampo Falls where we cooled off sitting on a rock with our feet in the water. Spent a night at the soul-restoring Kristo Buase Monastery north of Techiman and explored their gorgeous grounds the next morning before stopping in Nsuta to visit the family who hosted me during my 10 week training period. Then down to Cape Coast to enjoy the quaint quiet of this fishing village on the ocean offset by the stark horror of the slave trade story which came to life as we toured Elmina Castle. A bit frazzled by this point in our travels (we covered a lot of miles!), we stopped at Anamabo Beach Resort for a scrumptious lunch and a few hours of walking in the surf, watching the sand crabs, and laying on the beach (hey – it's a tough life but SOMEBODY has to do it!). Then back to Accra and the next day Phyl winged her way back to the Western way of life and I took the 16 hour drive back to Daboya.

NOW – South Africa. Along with the long bus ride to Accra, this trip entailed a long red-eye flight from Accra to Johannesberg but, after riding in tro-tros for 18 months, airplanes are comfortable! Besides, I got to watch two movies that weren't Nigerian films. BIG plus! HUGE shout-out to my good friend Louise who not only put up with me for 3 weeks but also planned our whole time together. Easiest vacation I've ever taken. Thank you, thank you, thank you Weezy!! It was a lovely mix of seeing great places, meeting awesome people, a fun road trip (and we travel well together so NO bickering) through some incredibly beautiful country, enough down time to relax, GREAT FOOD, participation in two Emissary Sunday services and an Attunement Workshop weekend (for those not familiar with attunement, you MUST contact Louise at lbroomberg@gmail.com and begin a dialogue), quality time with a good friend, and delightfully COOL weather.

First (well, OK, obviously this isn't "first" so I should say "Next" but that just doesn't sound right), I'd like to mention the amazing people that make up Louise's relatives, friends, and acquaintances. I can't begin to talk about all of them so I'll slight everyone by not mentioning anyone except to say how much I enjoyed their buoyant spirit, open hearts, and fun personalities. OK – I will mention 4 people. Rinky and Denny (Louise's sisters) made the time feel like home rather than vacation which made it a very special vacation. Sylvia, Louise's mother, has enough life substance that it is a pleasure just being in her presence. And the entire 3 weeks was infused with the spirit of Louise's Dad, Harold, who passed away recently. My frynt, it was good visiting your home and feeling your love.

Louise greeted me by telling me that I was the guest speaker at Denny's meditation group the next day. It was a small, intimate group in a comfy living room setting after tea and cookies and we had a time of sharing heart space that was a lovely way to start my time in Joberg (hey – that's what the natives call it). We followed that with the Attunement Workshop which was held at HighView Gardens – a fairytale beautiful place on the highest hill rising up over central Joberg. Louise was brilliant (as always) in her presentation aided and abetted ably and passionately by Trish. Everyone in the workshop had at least some experience with attunement so there was rich substance to work with and it was an excellent weekend.

Monday we headed off on our road trip to Zimbabwe ("Zim" to the locals). Here are some random reflections on the trip:

* Zim may be a political and economic mess but the country is beautiful, as are the people
* We were warned about the terrible potholes in the roads but it would be one of the nicest roads in northern Ghana!!
* We were also warned that it would take HOURS to cross the border while standing in endless lines but we whisked through in very short order in both directions.
* Zim police are not impressed with a Peace Corps ID Card and will find some reason to fine you!
* Victoria Falls – what can I say? I could wax eloquent for pages but I'll just say that everyone should go see it and get soaked like we did.
* Bought a $100 TRILLION bill for $1 and they threw in a $10 Billion bill and a $20 Billion bill. Now that's some serious inflation! They have now scrapped the
currency completely and began using the S.A. Rand.
* Nice hotels and B&B's are a bargain compared to US prices
* Seems like most of Zim is game preserve so we saw all kinds of interesting
game animals all over the place including an elephant 10` away.
* A very special time at the Gwaai Hotel. Ask Louise for details.

After great hospitality by cousin Dave in Bulawayo and friend Trevor in Vic Falls, we returned to Joberg out of cash (can't use debit cards or credit cards in Zim!). Highlights for the last week included offering a noon time presentation on "Thinking Outside of the Box" for Rinky's company, a vibrant (to say the least) dance / music show depicting South African music from ancient times to today, sitting in on a rehearsal of the world famous Soweto Choir, and a visit to an elephant sanctuary which I loved. Always wanted to ride an elephant and now I have. Much safer than bunji jumping!

During this 3 weeks I became addicted to cricket, "Idols" (both American and S. African versions), and "The Great Race" so I'm going through withdrawal now.

OK – this really did turn out longer than I was planning and I could go on for days. In fact, be warned, I WILL go on for days when I see you in person!! But for now, it's time to let you get back to your email.

Love and Hugs from Africa…….Larry