Missive from parts of Africa

A light hearted and sometimes serious look at moving 6000km into a place in Africa: April 2007. Promoted back to South Africa, the missive will continue to track my foray's into deepest Africa as and when I get there.

Name:
Location: Joburg, Africa, South Africa

Monday, September 27, 2004

Axim Hotel


1Beach 038
Originally uploaded by Hop.
This is what happens when u get bored waiting for a sandwich

Axim Hotel


1Beach 034
Originally uploaded by Hop.

Axim Hotel


1Beach 031
Originally uploaded by Hop.

Axim


1Beach 028
Originally uploaded by Hop.

Axim


1Beach 023
Originally uploaded by Hop.
Town planning is definatly not a strong point here

Beach


1Beach 019
Originally uploaded by Hop.
This is what you see when you look left - Nice bay - tho the waves really really are not big enough to warrent going in with a boogy board

I found Pussy!!


1Beach 013
Originally uploaded by Hop.

D J


1Beach 012
Originally uploaded by Hop.

Beach


1Beach 004
Originally uploaded by Hop.
Evidently storms wash the sand away what with the divisions

Island


1Beach 002
Originally uploaded by Hop.
Could be interesting to see if I could get there at low tide

Finally - The sea!!!!

An uneventful week – after the shenanigans of last week – was had, with making sure all the month end stuff is put together as soon as possible to make sure that my departure date is not altered in any way *g*.

This weekend was another pay weekend – sheesh once a month comes often it seems – with me leaving work at 2pm on Friday – made possible by the fact my car took returning people to Accra – and I needed a left home. There is nothing worse then been at home early, with no car and nothing to do. I hauled out the computer games that Eddie had bought back from SA and spent the entire afternoon playing Delta Force on the laptop. At least the game is one that I enjoy. *chuckle*

Saturday saw me been the only one at work, finishing off all the month end stuff. And finish off I did. It was nice not having anyone interrupt and I bashed out all the stuff with the exception of Plant Billing, which for some silly reason did not want to run. I sent an email to the helpdesk, but as it was a long weekend in SA, I did not expect anything to come out of it. I was not disappointed.

On Friday I received a letter from the local community setting up a meeting on the Saturday morning at 9.00am “sharp” to introduce their new chief. Apparently the last chief was not good for the community and it appears that chiefs can be kicked out. True to form at 9.45am a delegation of some 30 people traipse into the office to meet “the management of Group Five”. Now you have seen pics of our offices. They are small. Five offices around a reception area, with kitchen and toilets in the back. My office has two chairs in it, which was as sure as God made little apples, not going to be enough to accommodate the delegation that appeared. God we did not even have enough tea cups to offer them tea.

Introductions were however made, and they did indicate that their major interest was to ensure that local companies employ local people to ensure that the community develops. Nothing wrong with that concept at all.

It does appear however that their culture differs somewhat from the southern African countries, and I will have to delve deeper into this as I go along.

Saturday Night was a braai at Denzils house, with Rose (his wife and our catering person) sharing her “dash” with all of us. The braai included around 30 Crayfish, which some supplier had presented her with a while back. Nice “chop”. The evening was made that much more interesting when I noted that 5 people around the table had over 100 years experience in the construction industry and had effectively worked together for around 20 years on and off in all kinds of projects. Lubricated with Rum, Whiskey and Gin, the stories ran thick and fast and a lot of playful banter was tossed around the table. I must admit, I am surrounded by really strange people. *chuckle*

You know what they say about when you are surrounded by strange people – It is possible that you yourself are the strange person.

Yesterday I awoke at 6!!!! – late start – with no work to be done. Pottered around the house, watched the GP on TV, Shot a few ragheads and warlords and had a bath/shower at around 9. Faced with a boring day at the house, I decided weather notwithstanding, the beach was a good option today.

The road is foul!! – but 42 miles and 90 minutes later, I found Busua Beach. As you can see by the pics quite a nice place. Definitely worth more visits better prepared.

I had a toasted?? Chicken Sarmie and 2 beers and the nice man actually bought me newspapers to read at no charge. Lounged around for about 2 hours just chilling. Total bill c90.000 (R60.00) – oh look – I have found a place with tourist prices. *chuckle*

At around 1, I decided to take a drive to the old fort (circa 1665) for which I had seen a Ghana Tourist Board signpost on the way in. The fact there is no pictures of the fort is due to the Ghana Tourist Board not signposting the road further then the one sign post indicating “turn left here”. The road was single car width and there was no place to turn around. So I did what I always do and just kept on going!. If you go straight for long enough you will come out at the other end. 8 miles later, I came out at the other end. On the main Takoradi road. Sheesh – am I good or what. I will do a search for that fort the next time I am there.

Travelling straight down the road, I found a place call Axim, which has the claim to fame of been the capital of the Ahinto District. Driving through a village/town, there was a wonderful sign.

“No parking or dropping off of passengers” “ by awda”

Now looking at this sign, I decided that the sign painter did not fully understand the second line and spelt “order” phonetically. Silly lad!

However: more and more signs were “by AWDA” and either the same challenged painter had done the signs – or there was some mischief afoot. It really only dawned on me later that awda was actually A.W.D.A (Ahinto West District Authority) but never the less it was worth a chuckle and evidently someone had seen the acronym read with the pronounciation and decided to kill 3 birds with 2 stones. There is a sense of humor around !!!!

Axim hotel was a wonderful setting, as you can see by the pics. Wonderful setting was all there was. It was not around 2pm and I was once again puckish, sooooo I ordered beer and a club sandwich. The beer was immediate, the club sandwich however took almost an hour to arrive, and when it did arrive, consisted of the following:

2 doorsteps of white bread with the crusts removed
Overdose of Mayo
Lettuce
Tomato
Cabbage
And
Nothing else
Nothing!!!!!! - this was their definition of a club sandwich!!!!! And for the simple price of c40.000 (R26.00).

I was in a very good mood, and feeling rather chilled and relaxed and quite honestly not willing to fight at all. I complained in a very nice way that this was not quite what I expected, and the lady vanished into the kitchen. After about 20 mins I asked for my bill and was met by the chef? Who was most apologetic and said that the lady had made a mistake with the order, please can I wait they are making me another one.

20 mins later, the following arrived.

3 doorsteps of white bread with the crusts removed. (honestly the bread alone was 4 inches thick)
Overdose of Mayo
Lettuce
Tomato
Cabbage
Chicken

I laughed, and waded thru the sandwich and quite honestly could not get angry with the people as they really really were trying. I paid my bill (c56.000 – R37.00) and left with a rueful smile on my face.

The drive back home was uneventful, and I got home around 5 just in time for my nightly diet of TV. MD’s ( I had seen the episode before), The block (a firm favorite), Carte Blanche and the movie. Roux had got home at around 4pm and finally work up around 7:30pm.

Tis a Monday: - Organising jobs for the week, making sure the financial stuff is done before Wednesday and!!!! GETTING PREPARED TO GO HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! – Whooo hoooooo

Lemme get at it!

Have a fun week peoples


Sunday, September 19, 2004

Sunday Missive

Well an eventful week has passed, loads of work completed and people coming and going. Tis been interesting.

Only two weeks before I head down south on my R&R and as can be well imagined I am looking forward to it in a BIG! way!.

Completed my initation to industrial action, with problems on Friday which resulted in a tired Tony and slashed tyres. Given the fact that the Gelunderwagen does not have a jack or wheel spanner (of course you only find that out when the wheel is flat) I drove around with a LDV tyre for a while (off one of the other vehicles) while they searched Ghana hi and low for a tyre the same as mine.

Thursday nite was fun. I watch a series every thursday nite. I even set my cell to remind me of the series - cos I am old and have a bad memory -. I walk in at 7.55, Roux was watching TV and I was chatting to Nessers on the phone. AS I walk in, the TV starts buzzing and popping and making strange "I am on my last legs" kinda noises. We both just looked at the TV with bemused faces until the flames and smoke started coming out of the back. I made a quick dive for the plug and we were left with a smokey room, no TV and were almost forced to talk to each other. *chuckle*

Needless to say, a new TV was top of the lists on Friday.

Tuesday nite was a small amount of time in the pub, and quite honestly the more I go there - 3rd time now - the more I realise that it is not the place for me. Ergo I was home by 9 and asleep by 9.30 with no hangover the next day.

Swore at the TV yesterday and despite the ref Lions beat the Sharks !!!!!! cheer!!! and we are second on the log!!!!! - I think all the seasons of supporting the lions is finally starting to pay off.

Yesterday was generally a TV day, and I was feeling a bit woef from friday, which meant 2 hours kip on the couch was in order. Roux had his kip as well later that night. Party Animals us!!

Wot else?
*ponder*
*think*
*ponder more*

Nope - thats about it. Another week down in my exciting fun filled time here. *chuckle*

Monday, September 13, 2004

Heat heat heat!!!!

Bloody hell - it is 32 C (90F) with an 80% humidity factor. This is sposed to be winter demmet!!!!

I am standing in front of my aircon trying to cool down. Oh for a swimming pool!!!

Sunday, September 12, 2004

The beach

So much for the beach this weekend. Instead of sunning myself and splashing in the waves, the only splashing I am doing is over the puddles caused by the rain that has bucketed down since last night.

Bummer!!

So I am at the office, surfing the web, looking at the guys in the workshop put stuff together and learning that 40NB galvanised pipe comes in 5.65m lengths not 6.00m lengths. Ergo - I stuffed up the order and we are 3 lengths short. You live and learn every day.

Last night was (once again) a quiet night and I am even getting into all the series that are on TV. I am now an avid watcher of Survivor on a Saturday Night at 8pm. How sad is that.

I have also put reminders on my phone for Friends (monday) and a new series on a Friday which name escapes me.

Chatted to the kids - well one kid cause the other one was still sleeping - and they are fine. My daughter has got a part time job coaching swimming while she studies and she is starting to do Gala's again. From the times she was rattling off she can still swim well, given two years of ciggies and teenager stuff.

Nessers was away this weekend, so I will phone her tonight.

Esther is quiet this weekend as well......

Spoke to Keith and Sam a while back, and was good to chat to him and get updates - while been ripped off that Man U buys the best striker in the UK, and canna use him cause he has a broken foot.

Cleaned up my mail on the Unicell server, surfed wifelovers, read the online newspapers, learnt a bit more about lighting when taking pics, and have promised myself that I will learn to use photoshop properly before December.

I am also mooting restarting my MBA. God knows I have enough time to study. Thats for the new year.

Supper last night was T Bone! Whoo hooo = Until you realise that T Bone cooked in a mess is not quite like T Bone cooked by yours truly. Tasted like bloody cardboard!! - Dinner consisted of Rice and Pickled Chilli.

I am off to the mess today to get the raw ingrediants for curry, which I will quite happily throw together tonight. About time I cooked a good home made curry with all the nice sprices that came up in my care pack.

Another days ticks on - and one day closer to home time!!!!!!! and SEX@!!!!!!! Fark I am deprived! - or should that be depraved!

Saturday, September 11, 2004

Left Hand Drive

My entire life I have driven on the Left Hand side of the road, in right hand drive cars. Now I am working in a country where the opposite applies. It requires intense concentration most of the time to make sure that you keep on the correct side of the road, especially when turning corners. I find myself at an intersection waiting for the car from the left to pass before I turn, as opposed to the car from the right.

While not on the loo, this issue came to mind. When you drive a vehicle down south and hit the next country that drives on the Left Hand Side, how do you switch over?. Is there one single lane that you drive down individually and then change over, or is it a bun fight where everyone plays switchback and ensure that they avoid the cars from the other direction.

A conundrum ...

Thursday, September 09, 2004

Telephones

Something that amazes me, as I sat on the loo reading the newspaper, is how Telkom in South Africa justifies their rates on international phone calls. Here we are in Ghana, with two mobile phone company's are Ghana Telekoms and their price to 99% of countries in the world is c3.620 per minute. At the current exchange rate of c1.344/ZAR1.00 that is R2.69 / minute. The same call if originated from South Africa, via the Telkom system (and for that matter MTN or Vodacom - oh yeah and Cell C) is R17.00/minute.

And they wonder why growth is stifled in South Africa.

*sigh*

Lets try this again

Another Sunday and 3 more weekends left before I get on a plane and be back home. Boy am I looking forward to it!!!.


Once again though I am afflicted by the Ghana Lurgy, having concentrated weight loss programs of sweats, light headed and the squirts. No idea what bought it on, the chicken lunch on Friday comes to mind, but what it has meant is little food past my lips and a large amount of time sleeping on the couch.

I did attack it today with week old pizza, additional cheese and pickled chilli. Show that bloody tummy who is boss demmet!!. We had a house guest on Thursday and Friday with a guy from head office who does “where is our future” seminars, one of which I attended in JHB my first month with the company. He made a most entertaining house guest and we dealt the bottle of captains a severe blow – Nessers send more captains – while talking about all kindsa stuff. Two late nights in a row. And the 5am wake ups, maybe that’s why my body kills me.

Keith has been constantly reminding me what punda looks like and when ever my outlook strains over a 3MB email, I know that’s Keith and my fresh batch of “reminders” Thanks Bud keep them coming.

I am getting into the swing of things and the constant pressure of keeping all kinds of customers happy is actually quite fun. It gets to the stage where we worked until 8pm on Thursday to catch up and complete the month end, hoping to get new stuff done on Friday and I was forced to dash over to a mine around 90 mins away to deal with a problem they had with a piece of their equipment. The accountant did not do badly at all and even identified what the problem was. (The solution however was provided by the technical Walla’s). And that’s the fun part of the Job. I am actually learning a whole range of new things every day.

I was forced to take the back roads of Tarkwa again today due to the main road closed off due to roadworks. I also heard the main Bogoso road was closed due to a cement truck overturning and a wood truck that tried to slip around the side of the cement truck and also ended up on its side. Could have taken a while to clear up that mess. The back part of the on is more of a township then the front part, and it does look like government (or someone) got stuck in with over 300 low cost 30 square meter houses. All identical, all the same color and most with zinc additions tagged on. The road – if possible – was worse then we travel on and I was guided as to direction by the radio mast at the top of the hill. I did make it back onto the main road with only one U turn required, and I even noticed the (small) no entry sign which prevented me from repeating the same mistake I made last week. 

The fact the road was closed meant I did not get to the clinic for another malaria test, and if I am still feeling kak tomorrow, …………………….

The joys of writing a missive and then been interrupted by an invite to a braai, and going even tho I felt kak means I stopped above and continue the Tuesday night.

Uneventful start to the week, but thank goodness the lurgy has left me. Must have been a dash of food poisoning which was dosed on Sunday night with lashings of captain. That evidently chased the lad away.

Had a reasonably busy day at the office both yesterday and today, punctuated by a small fracas with the workers. Due to a fark up, I had overpaid them all last month and setting out to recover the funds, was met by a work stoppage. All resolved simply though by the guys on site and life goes on. One thing that will happen after this little episode is they have cooked their goose as far as me assisting them in any way. I hate people who all they want to do is take with nothing in return.

As I write my blog entry tonight, we have no TV due to the sat system resetting itself to SA settings for some silly reason, and us having no local number to contact. The international Mnet line closes at 5pm – us guys in deepest darkest Africa do not have problems at night evidently – and the normal SA guys have no idea what the Ghana settings are.

Ergo – my blog gets time and I will finish my book tonight no doubt.

I must admit I have found Friends and the Block – which I love – so that would be normal TV as I know it at home. Wednesday nights are ER, which is advertised at 6pm CAT which will be 4pm our time. However friends was advertised at the same time and we watched it at 7:30 local time. There is hope yet.

3 weekends left until I jet home – and besides loads and I mean LOADS of nookie, it will be good to spend some time in civilization.

People have asked for more pics. To be honest my camera is sitting on the sideboard as the weather has been most foul the last few weeks. Cloudy, rain on and off and muggy muggy heat. I have however promised myself a trip this weekend towards the coast (again – hehe) and hopefully there will be enough light to take some pics.

Other then that good people – life goes on, with not much to report at all. So until next time I hit the update button – have a goody huh

AND SEND NEKKED PICS………

Which reminds me – Roux – my housemate for the next 60 days, has a habit of switching on Fashion TV in the morning – how cruel is that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday, September 01, 2004

Hot Water?

The house is taking shape, thanks to a lovely care pack from Nessers which contained spices, chilli, peri peri, Biltong, Pestle and Mortar, Red Knickers and other nice stuff.

The joys however was my first bath - yup - the promised shower has not materialised - and after 1 inch of water was in the bath there was no hot water left. This was besides the fact that it took 20 mins to get the water in. Result: A cold bath that took 40 mins to run.

The next day our friendly landlord is called over and "told" about the problem. He promises faithfully to rectify it. How he does this is rather interesting. I get home on Monday night and find both Geysers gone! Day two with a cold bath.

Tuesday night as I wander into the house, the first thing I note in my room is the Geyser switch is on. (here the switch is like a light switch where u can switch the Geyser on and off due to the high cost of electricity). My Geysers are back. I turn on the water and - nothing!! - no water at all.

A visit to the back of the house where the water tank is reveals that the line to the house is turned off and there is a pressure pump that has been installed. Will never pass the electrical society test as it is plugged into a standard plug which is outside. (note to self when it rains and the electricity trips). Open the valve and presto - water - hot - and lots of it.

I had a very nice hot bath last night with use of the handshower for the hair and body and funny bitz. I am hoppy!!!!

I have a house guest for the next six weeks so bang goes me walking around nekked. He may get worried *chuckle*

Slowly stuff is coming together :- I am (almost) over my unhoppiness and am getting used to this dull pounding in my head. As long as there are no voices - I am happy :)