Color by number

Ive come to a place where the beginning is the most important part.

Greetings are many, long, and often.

Goodbyes hardly said, always “Im coming back”

If I greet in the local language I am received with big smiles and excitement.

Salone hand shakes are three parters.

Hand shake, hug the thumb, hand shake.

And for added respect, touch the chest afterwards.

Everyone is up with the sun…Washing, Cooking, Selling.

Cooking over hot coals and sticks.

You have not eaten here unless you’ve had rice.

Cassava, Potatoes, Fish, Tomatoes, Onions, Peppers, Rice

Bones often chewed and eaten

We wash clothes by hand in buckets with water drawn from hand dug wells.

We wash ourselves in the same manner.

First splash met with OH MY GOD that’s cold!

Its rainy season h ere which means it rains almost everyday,

And the storms here are incredible, sexy, and sporadic.

The roads are mostly dirt and carved however the rain sees fit.

Everything is lush and green.

Mangos amazing, Bananas, Coconuts, Peanuts galore

Palm trees everywhere, giving oil, nuts, and alcohol.

At night the lights are few to none,

And on semi clear nights the stars are sublime.

Electricity almost always comes from a generator,

And for the lucky ones, is run for a few hours some nights.

Usually to enjoy Nigerian or Ghanian movies.

The birds here are beautiful, new, and exciting.

Animals are kept but not petted or loved.

Chickens and Ducks, Cats and Dogs.

The kids don’t need fancy games or toys.

Tire rims, rocks, stuffed plastic bags, deflated balls, and imagination prevail.

Everyone loves singing and dancing.

Music is everywhere and dancing rampant.

I often hear the same song several times a day, everyday.

Many many love songs, reggae, soul, Rhianna, and Celine Dion adored

Radios can be heard at all times of the day.

I often fall asleep to distant music, as well as wake.

Sometimes I wake to people yelling, trying to sell various items.

People sell items from porches and from buckets carried on heads.

The markets here are vibrant and chaotic.

Full of smells and sights and people.

Hair here for guys is short short short.

Females have all the variety.

Different variations of plating/planting….braiding/cornrows.

Clothes here are either hand picked cloths, taken to the tailor and stiched into a style,

Or second hand clothes from America, Europe, and Asia.

Kids wearing shirts that they have no idea what they say or mean.

Ex: “Im a big sister” worn by a 20 something year old male.

Education is going uphill, Students learn by memorization.

Supplies limited, often nonexistent.

Religious tolerance here is the best in the world.

Mostly Christians and Muslims in perfect peace and harmony.

They say both prayers at all the events here,

And are only distraught by someone without religion.

Transportations include walking, poda podas, and okatas.

Poda podas are used for longer transport,

And are usually small vans filled with 20+ people

Okatas are motorcycles that are used to get around town,

And were not allowed to ride them or we’ll get sent home.

Pedestrians have no right of way ever.

You have to constantly be on guard as Okatas are everywhere.