I can't believe that I am on here two days in a row... amazing!

Sunday

We had a much smoother journey back to Tamale, so we managed to sleep most of the way.

When we got back we were absolutely knackered, so we spent the day sleeping, doing washing and generally chilling... nothing too exciting! Although some of the children at the water institute heard that we were staying there and came and played games with us, had their picture take etc... which was good fun.

Oh and Kamal rung to say that when he took some friends to search the orphanage he found my phone, complete with the $200 dollars and some other local money, so I now have enough money to enjoy the rest of my stay!!

Monday

Another morning at the orphanage. It past quite quickly today as we got all of the children outside into their play area and while some of the smaller ones were with some volunteers we got the arts and crafts stuff out of our suitcases. They played with some glue, glitter and lollipop sticks for a while, before realising that they could make crowns out of pipe cleaners, so all of the older ones were 'crowned'. After that we gave each child a paper plate and their put a handprint on it in paint... something to brighten up the place! They loved doing it and it made our time pass quicker too.

Jenna also asked Madam Augustina today if on Friday we could take some of the older children swimming, and she said yes which was brilliant. It means the three older ones (16, 15 & 11) can practise while we teach two younger ones (5) to swim, and get us outside!

We were worried about one of the orphans called Janet today, she is normally up and about and really smiley. Today she was sooo hot. I bathed her in cold water and then spent an hour cuddling her, even though one of the women asked me to put her back in her cot. If I was her I knew I'd want a cuddle!

We spent the afternoon on a mission trying to find cloth to make some dresses and skirts from. there are so many beautiful fabrics to chose from it took us a while. When we asked a woman how much it was to make one dress she tried to charge us the equivalent of 60 pounds, so we left it... I thought my mum could do it instead (sorry mum!) When we went to our favourite restaurant for some pancake, she sent us with another woman an dhe only charge the equivalent of 4 pound per dress! As soon as people see a white person here they add on the money!

In the evening Fouzia taught us a traditional game called Wali, and we taught her some card games in return.

Tuesday

A huge storm woke me up this morning. The thunder was so loud and the rain really does come down here when it rains. We decided to take the Ghanaian approach to rain and to stay in bed. So after an argument in the taxi where he chucke us out because we refused to be ripped off, we finally arrived at the orphanage at 9:30 instead of 7:00! Daphne the other volunteer was really pleased to see us when we arrived! Janet seemed a little better today.

We spent the afternoon, eating at sparkles, seeing if we could get on the internet and shopping at the culture centre. We also had our first drumming lesson with Hanan. I think Jenna picked up the rythmns a lot better than I did, but it was great fun. We were sat in the market with everyone walking past us.

When we had finished, Hanantook us into the Culture centre to see some proper dancers and drummers in action. They were amazing, their bodies looked like they vibrated!

For tea tonight we had fried Yam (Jenna's favourite) & Pilchards... I haven't had them for years.