The warmth sleeps with the sun, Long summer twilight tapering to an imperfect dark. Tilted driftwood benches boast shadowed figures, Encircling an abusive fire: A belligerent heat that burns its worshippers, Yet gifts a comfort they cannot live without. Tangling smoke stealthily invades fireside sweaters, An artful stowaway concealed […]
Travel
Yes it has been way too long and yes I meant to get this up way earlier, but here it is, better late than never. This here is a little video I rushed to finish my last day in Ghana, only to remember there is no way my internet connection […]
I’ve been thinking of this day for a long time, the day I leave Ghana to fly home. And now that day is today. It’s not that I’ve been miserable here, clearly that isn’t true, and I wouldn’t want to change anything about my stay and risk losing the valuable […]
In Ghana, my name is Yaa. The spelling and pronunciation changes slightly depending on what region and language you’re in, but the name is always born from the same reason: I was born on a Thursday. And in Twi, probably the most dominant language in the Accra region, it’s Yaa. […]
It’s a hard thing to do, travel alone. Loneliness can quickly become consuming, all too easily concealing the good times behind a brooding, heavy cloud, one that’s reluctant to break apart. Because on a dark and rainy day, who wants to challenge the storm when you could be huddled indoors, […]
Meals at Nancy and Siapha’s home in Accra are relatively normal for me, although I’ve probably eaten more rice in the past three months here than I have in the past year at home. Before I came to Ghana I wasn’t quite sure what my diet would be like, but was eager […]
My weekend in Cape Coast included: falling asleep and waking up to the sound of crashing waves, sleeping in a sandy bed in a hut right on the beach, exploring the local artisans’ market, touring the historic Cape Coast castle, relaxing in a hammock beneath a palm tree with a book and a salty […]
There are always new things happening around me that remind me I’m somewhere completely different than home, tiny things that catch my attention and make me want to nudge someone and point out. Unfortunately, there is rarely someone around with whom I might share my intrigue, and even if there […]
Two hours of jolting down a wavy red road, nearing 130 km/hour in places that seem impossible given the dramatic rolls of the dirt. My head hits the roof of the car several times as we launch off a rise; speed bumps have no authority here. The endless Komkomba conversation […]
Life slows as we drive out of the city. The chaotic Accra streets, flat yet riddled with potholes, flow into smooth countryside roads that wander subtle hills. Speed bumps are scattered further apart and we drive faster, soon owning the road, only occasionally weaving around trucks with their towering loads […]