Then and Now

We head home in two weeks, so I thought it would be fun to look back at some pictures of Elliot from when we first arrived here and some more recent pics. Enjoy!

Then (3/1): Still willing to let Dad help him drink from a water sachet.

Now (9/10): I can do it myself -- and eat a fried bread ball at the same time.


Then (3/5): Baby face!

Now (9/12): All boy! I wonder what he'll think when we go home and water doesn't come in bags anymore...

Packing, cleaning and sorting have begun in earnest. Actually, I've been pleasantly surprised to find that packing to go back is WAY easier than packing to come over here. At the moment, it looks like we will have just three checked bags to deal with on our way home, and I don't even think we'll have to weigh them. My bathroom scale has not seen so much use as it did in the days (and hours) leading up to our departure in February, and all four of our checked bags were within ounces of the 50-pound weight limit. Those bags, in addition to Elliot's frame backpack a couple carry-ons and the giant monster that is his car seat, should be a cakewalk between the three (well, 2.5) of us!

An open letter to the taxi drivers of Kumasi

Dear Kumasi taxi drivers:

Perhaps you have seen me walking in the vicinity of Bekwai Roundabout or standing on the sidewalk across from the new speedbumps on the road past Ridge School in the morning. I am the obruni woman with the short, curly hair and the little blond boy in tow. You may have also seen me walking along the Bantama Road with my little boy on my back, headed for the zoo or into town. Please let me assure you that, yes, I saw that your taxi was empty and available and no, I do not need a ride. Not even if you honk your horn . . . repeatedly . . . and not even if you pull up next to me, stop and demand to know where I am going, and not even when you look at me like I just fell of the moon when I tell you I am "just" out for a walk. I appreciate your understanding.

Sincerely,

Veronica

Here are some pictures from our trip to Anomabo Beach Resort. It could have been sunnier, but all in all, we had a really great time. If only Dusty's research were focused on fishing instead of timber (sigh)...

Two thumbs up from our toughest critic.

What are YOU looking at?

Breakfast by the beach.

Treasure... in the form of a piece of coconut bark.

The pure delight of grabbing fistfuls of sand and throwing them over the bank.

A walk on the beach.