Yam chips and jolloff rice

OK, so Ghanaian food – I’ve not mentioned that yet at all, so time to tell you about a few dishes that we eat quite a lot. I think I said in a previous blog that the College provide lunch in the staffroom during the week, so generally I eat Ghanaian food during for lunch and western food for dinner.

Right, dish one – jolloff rice which could be served with an egg or some type of meat, now depending on who cooks it it tastes a little different – it is basically rice in a tomato sauce, but some people make it very spicy whilst others make it with more of a fishy taste. Personally I’m a big fan of the spicy stuff and, oh this’ll make you laugh – it comes with a spicy sauce which is called… (wait for it…) shito! Oh how childish am I?

Then dish two, which I go and buy from the lady who sells it by the students’ halls if I’m late for lunch and the food’s all gone or if it’s banku or kenkay which I can’t quite stomach yet (photos to follow of these in another blog). So, dish two is yam chips – which are like big chips, vaguely similar to potatoes but drier I think. Anyway the lady fries them under a tree and then gives you a spicy sauce to go with them, I then take them home and add ketchup and mayonnaise and they’re yum. She also fries sweet potato and that’s really good too – I think we’re her best customers!

Lots more meals to tell you about but I’ve not got photos yet, so I’m sure you’ll be waiting with baited breath – not. Hope you’re all well.

Sam x

One for the girls!

So, whilst I’m Ghana I don’t dry or straighten my hair as it’s a bit too hot for all of that, however strangely my hair has started to dry pretty straight – why the hell won’t it do that back home?! Answers on a post card.

Baby blankets

OK, these pictures aren’t really meant for the world and friend, but I’m having huge troubles attaching photos to e-mails (it just times out every time) so I’m gonna put these photos up on my blog instead so you’ll all get to see.

So, the babies’ Home I’ve mentioned a few times – well as it’s so chilly at the moment(!) the Sister in charge asked us if we could get them some new baby blankets, so I used some of the sponsor money people gave me from doing the half-marathon to buy the blankets. I’ve already e-mailed the people whose money I used but I couldn’t attach photos so here they are - photos when they’re being used by babies to follow! But seriously, aren’t they cute!

(If you sponsored me and have not yet heard how I spent the money it means I’ve not yet spent it – but don’t worry I’m busy planning and scheming!)

You’d NEVER believe it!

Ok, a mad thing happened last night and those of you who know me well (especially my sister!) will know how odd this is…

Well, basically my camera battery ran out, and not because I’d not used it for months on end (like normal) but rather because I’d been taking too many pictures! See miracles do happen.

Brr it’s chilly… (Or so claim the Ghanaians!)

You’d never believe it but it’s actually cold here… well at about 6am in the morning when you’re bathing out of a bucket with cold water – ok, ok I’m exaggerating but I do have to heat water on the stove before I bathe as otherwise it is FREEZING! It’s also very funny because all my students are arriving at class in big jumpers and coats because it’s; ‘too cold!’ Although saying that I am sitting in my room wearing a jumper as we speak…

So I don’t want any of you whinging at me about the cold at home, because we’re suffering too! Lol.

Sam x

PAINTING (I love painting!)

So about a month ago a whole gang of volunteers came to the Babies’ Home and painted the new classroom, unfortunately Sarah and I couldn’t go as we were in Accra that weekend. However, fortunately they didn’t quite get finished so we went back last weekend to finish up and here are a few pictures just to show you the finished product!

Thanks to the various people who kindly sponsored me to do the Nottingham half-marathon back in September – some of the money was used to buy the paint and brushes.