An invitation

Chance was written all over my first invitation in Accra.

After two bewildered days of learning the do´s and dont´s of the city, I was no wiser than the day i came. I was weary of the food and drink, remembering the horrorstories of parasites and snails that entered through eating or drinking. Little things like purifying water and making sure your moscitonet was tucked in everywhere, became the main occupations of my day - mainly as an excuse not to mingle too much. The embarassment of not being able to really distinguish people from eachother let alone remember their names, led me to a somewhat voluntary isolation - allthough it is impossible to be isolated in Ghana. There is allways someone who pays attention to your situation - a fact that came to save my life in the end.

On my third day in Accra, a busload of people poured in at the VOLU office. Well minibusload anyway. Fresh back from working in the bushvillages and in high spirits, they had exactly the kind of joy and excitement that infected everybody and quickly brought the mood to the roof. They were lusting to hear news from europe and I was equally desperate to hear of the work awaiting me. A couple of germans seemed especially professional in the art of getting around and offered me my first invitation.

They were on their way to the Cape Coast festival. It was a bit of a journey but apparently it was worth it. people from all over would come to celebrate and party. There was to be a procession of the chiefs from the different regions of Ghana and their wives and families. They only had to ask me once. What an adventure!!!

My days in isolation were over - I had a plan and company. It was such a thrill.