Today marked my last day in
Koforidua before I head back to Accra, and I made the most of it. After two cups of Nescafé tea and soggy
sugarbread, I chartered a taxi to K’Dua station to arrange a trotro to take a
few students to Akaa falls. Two stayed
behind; almost everyone besides me has fallen ill the last few weeks. After getting light at Asiafo Amanfo
junction, we took an hours walk up Asiafo Mountain to the primary school. Although last time I made it here, the yard
was filled with students Paaa, today
was Saturday, and no one was around.
Indeed in the village I only saw 4 people!
We hiked to an unusual geological
formation known as Umbrella Rock for pictures and for a rest. I had wanted to come to the mountain top
community to interview people about rural water use and waste disposal; despite
a deserted town I had a clear answer.
The pathways all around Umbrella Rock and the village were thick with
used sachets, bottles, and plastic bags.
I found two dustbins, but they appeared seldom used, and the community
trash burn pile was small. Kakra Kakra.
We hiked back down and continued
down the mountain to Akaa falls for a quick “swim break,” then headed back to
the roadside looking for a car. Last
time I visited Akaa falls, we waited a good half hour for a vehicle to catch,
and when one finally stopped, we had to sit on bags of cassava and
plantains. After about ten minutes, I
started to walk down the road, and continued on for some time. Far down the road, I spotted a large green
snake on the road. It had been hit,
which was lucky for us. Matching it to
the description on the internet, it was a very poisonous green mamba!
Finally some car came; a full
taxi. Saaa! However, when I hailed
it down, it stopped, and all 5 passengers exited. I talked to the driver, greeted him, and
asked to go to Koforidua. He looked at
me, opened the boot, and had 4/5 passengers sit in the trunk! Meanwhile, I shared a seat with big Dave, my
upper thigh riding the gear shifter and rear end on the parking break. Dave jokingly warned not to fart; I might
cause an abrupt down shift!
Sandwiched in there, we made it to
Accra for $1 per person. After lunch I
roamed the city and went to my friend Kwamdada
to pick up a special order. Two days
ago, I had scoured the streets seeking a pair of chuck tailors and low tops to
decorate. I’m getting pretty good at my
Twi and bargaining skills, and reduced the price of two pairs of shoes from 100
Cidis to 35 for two pairs ($17 American).
On a roll, I strolled the marked, charming market mammas and tailors
looking for free kente and fabric scraps.
I even secured a friendly businessman to take me to a shoemakers where I
met Kwamdada (Kwame and Daddy squished together). Here, he took the Kente and cloth and
fashioned some KILLER shoes.
One for me
and one for Keith, a thanks for letting me accompany him on my research. Now, I begin to pack for the 2nd
to last time here in country. Me ko London ochena miensa, me pe paaa! Ko Bokoo
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