Day 5 - The road to Kintampo took us higher in elevation and to a much greener area of Ghana. The road was bumpy but they are actively working on it. When we got here we met Jeremiah, Chief administrator who could barely remember we were coming. My first impressions of the hospital was are you sure this is a hospital? There were chickens and goats running through the yard and the layout made me think it was not a hospital. But as you look at the surroundings you realize this works here. Just a stark difference from the US. We went to the Internet cafe on the hospital site and got Mark to help us get our laptops online. Significant thing here is that he actually had a list of available IP addresses and had to key it into our computer. After touring around we left for the day and came to our residence. Elizabeth let us in and showed us the accommodations. They are still pretty new she said they went up in Feb of this year. I made mention of the rain yesterday because right now it is coming down really hard, I don't mind though because we are in mandatory power outage...Yes you heard me manual power outage. This is something they go through ever 36 hours, 12 hours off from 6pm-6am then on for 24 hours and then off for 12. This is normal for them and something they all deal with. I can not believe it as I sit here an type to a rechargeable lantern. I figured is this does not help me study then nothing will. The good thing is the hospital is no longer affected because of the GE generator. It kicks on immediately when the power goes out. Frank lent me his digital camera so I have been taking some shots with it. I Will send them tomorrow. Well deciding to study right now, don't know how much but since I have nothing else to do and it is 7:30pm. I might as well.

Day 4 - Going to see Prof Akosa and the travel to our sites.The conversation with Prof Akosa was good and it was good to hear him talk and welcome us to Ghana. He described the conditions at each of our hospitals and the difference we could make by merely our presence alone. The travel to each of the sites was a long day, driving in Ghana is a no holds barred engagement. You can go as fast as you want even though there is a posted speed limit. Passing is allowed and our driver always beeps his horn to signal to the other car to move over before the pass. Our first stop was to drop Shanique and Tracy at the Assesewa hospital site. Assesewa was only recently upgraded from a clinic once it got the GE equipment. The drive to Assesewa was interesting. It was supposed to be 2 hrs away but 2 hrs came and went. We actually rode around lost for about 30 min and then had to backtrack in order to get to the turn-off. By this time we knew we were late and the concern intensified for Shanique and Tracy as we drove through some very rural areas were people lived in shanty's and mud shacks. We met Dr. (name later) at the sight. He was very happy to see us and ensured Alex the girls would be in capable hands for their stay. Since we were late we barely got to get the girls luggage out of the car before we had to leave. The drive back to the hotel to pick up our luggage was almost 2 hrs to the minute. We had to rush back to the hotel pick up our bags and get to the airport to fly to Kumasi to drop Willie and Frank at the Komfoe Anofoe Teaching Hospital(KATH). I guess nothing in Ghana is un-eventful so why should the flight be any different. We had issue at the airport because they could not accept credit cards (antrak air-ghana regional airline). Once we pooled our money, really Frank had enough we bought our tickets, but that was not the end, we had to pay extra becuse we all had 2 bags and most were overweight. We pooled money again and got on the flight. Had this great snack made of sugar, flour and milk on the plane, (achimo). Once in Kumasi we went to KATH and dropped off Willie and Frank and then we checked into our bags at the Royal Park hotel and had dinner at "jazz club" not as good as you think - only a name. But let me tell you we had Tallipia and I enjoyed a Castle cream stout - a lighter version of Guiness - quite good. We had to leave early the next morning to go to Kintampo. Oh yeah it rained during the night. I heard cracks of thunder during the night, and the roads were muddy the next morning. Signifigance later...

Day 3 - Got my internet to work so I could have a YM session with Dawn - Camera actually worked better than in the US for some reason, can't explain that one Went on a bank excursion to exchange travelers cheques - that was a ordeal, got it right at the 3rd bank, with Alex pulling in some favors. Changed out $200 US for 1.8 Million cedis, the funny thing is they give it to you in a plastic bag. Finally a millionaire but you get a brick of money in a plastic bag. Stopped by Avenue Club for some kebobs and Star Lager. I think Star is my choice of the local beer. Went back out with Alex to drop Dapo off at his spot in the Korle Bu guest house. Got a little turned around as we would say in the Marine Corps but finally got there. Nice house, met Douglas the "CCO" - chief catering officer and Mr. Dunco - Douglas and Mr. Dunco actually live in the house full time and provide service and security respectively for any resident at the guest house. Got back to the hotel and had some wings as a quick dinner and then had a brew with George and Frank. Tried to get to bed early because we have to check out and go see Prof. Akosa and travel to our respective sites tomorrow. I say tried because that is not necessarily what happened. Watched a great soccer match in the process though. Today was monumental becuase I really know that I am here now. got bitten by a mosquito at the hospital, mistakenly drank the H20 while brushing and started the feel the first sign that my stomach does not agree with the local food.

Day 2 - Toured around Accra with Alex, busy city but has a Carribbean vibe with the street vendors and everyone approaching the car to sell you their wares. Anything from screw drivers to long sleeve shirts in the seemingly 100 degree heat. And did I mention the trafic? even on a Sunday Stoped a the coffin shop
see pics Lunch at the La Palm - coming soon
see pics Dinner back a the Goldent Tulip- coming soon

Day 1 - Issues in the airport, seems as if there were some security protocol that I needed to go through that did not happen. Instead of my original flight out of Newark, I was rerouted to Kennedy airport. I think this worked out for the best anyway. It did cause a bit of a hectic start but I was able to join two other members of the GE Africa project team, Dapo and Shanique who were flying out on that flight. Travel to Kennedy was uneventful, had a car come pick me up, although the driver was very interesting. You just don't know who you will draw when you call for a taxi. Makes you wonder if taxi-cab confessions was actually started by the passenger to the driver. Got upgraded on the flight to an exit row by Giselle and another attendant from KLM. That upgrade made the first leg of my trip much more bearable. Must fly business class if I am to do this again, if not for legroom alone. We went out our first night in Accra, compliments of Frank. It was a clown car adventure with how many people we could load into a corolla. Found ourselves travelling to 3 different clubs and finishing out the night at "Jokers" which was interesting in itself. Lots of looks as the foreigners in the establishment even though we look like everyone else.