My last week begins: Dec. 13

The last day of school for the students was Thursday, and the teachers had to come in Friday morning for a meeting. By Saturday afternoon almost all the teachers had been taken to the airport; even Tim Crosby had left . Like most schools, the last week before Christmas break  was in constant flux. I never knew from one hour to the next where I would be, or if my room would be in us to house exams.  It was unsettling for me, and my room was not really as organized as I’d hoped when I finally left  Friday.

My travel plans for the next week became unraveled since Thursday. My companions to Cape Coast overnight trip on Wednesday had a change of plans, and the family I hoped would accompany me to the Volta area had to cancel on another overnight  trip for Saturday.  This morning (Monday) one of the three people going to the Aburi Botanical gardens and Boti Waterfalls had to cancel because she was sick. At least Erin and her fiancée are still going. I’ll send some pictures tonight if I have the energy when we get back. The Crosby’s drivers  are taking me (and anyone I round up) on all these trips, so that’s a relief to me. I’m waiting now for Issac to pick us up, but the internet connection ends at 7 am, so I’ll send this tonight.

I have been doing some Christmas shopping, it’s always fun to spend money, and some of the inexpensive uniquely African gifts are quite nice. Things like hand carved nativity sets, African cloth dolls and glass beads are at the craft markets, and bartering is half the fun. Saturday night I went to a craft bazaar sponsored by a German-Swiss school, and there were some really beautiful things that were out of my price range: real Kenta cloths (colorful woven tribal cloths), silver jewelry very well crafted, clothes of batiked fabric, African drums.  Three other teachers were going, so having company made it that much more interesting,  and we got something to eat there too.

Well, I’ve got to put on my sunscreen and sneakers. This week is so different from the other weeks, and gives me some time to “transition” into my return. God has been good, and I’m ready to come home.

Talk with you soon,

Diann