Hi Katie, so glad the stylish head torch has come in useful! I discovered that travellling in countries where there was unreliable or no electricity was often combined with outside loos, very dubious conditions underfoot and giant marauding bugs - you definitely need both hands free for late night trips to the loo!
The funeral sounded amazing, she must have been quite a local big wig, I cant imagine everyone in the village gets such a send off - and with you as a guest of honour too!
Jordan has been looking at universities, went to Bristol yesterday which is probably his first choice. Rowan did 4 hours homework on Tuesday. She was so shocked she has constructed her revision timetable so that she never has to do so much work again! So as you see, life here goes on pretty much as normal.
we will have a new roof and attic conversion when you get back.
Enjoy the babies
lots of love J, R, J and R xxx
Mum
Hi babes,
I'm still here in Calgary - and planning a quick trip up to Canmore today - sadly not much chance of a visit to Crazy Weed as I am going for a working session, but I will see if I can find their new restaurant to at least have a look. Thanks for the messages, it is great that we can talk by text - and a bit odd to think that I am saying good morning to you as you are saying good night to me! I imagine that you are in Mampong now and I am so anxious to hear about your first days there. I am jealous as dad & Rachel seem to have seen the photos before me, but I get home on Monday morning and will check them out then. I sent you paper last weekend, so it looks like post might be a bit slow, but I am sure it will arrive soon. I miss you lots and look forward to the next installment of news. It must be funny hearing of all of the cold weather when you are in the AFrican heat. But, now a brief message to those sissies in New York and Missouri - snow, ha! you don't know the half of it, we don't blink an eye in Calgary unless we are under a few feet!
Peter H
Midge,
How are things this week? How was Mampong and the other Orphanage? Will you be moving? What was the funeral like?
We got your letter, RayZ says she thinks it came on Tuesday. It was here when I got in Thursday evening. Loved the photos - and glad to hear you like the FuFu. Did you have a go with the pestle and mortar to mash it? By the way I am not surprised they laughed at you doing your laundry, you don't seem to be putting much enthusiasm into it.
Have you got a photo of you with the braids you mentioned on the phone?
I heard an interesting piece on Ghana on the world service this week and managed to download it. I will try to email it to you for you to listen to. It was all about the mobile phone in the Ghanaian economy. Apparently you cand send money by SMS in competition with Western Union.
Will happily send the photo paper etc but at the moment we don't have an address for you. Let us know where to send stuff.
Well that's about all for now. All in Algiers is calm for now and I am off down to the desert and the rig next weekend. Presently in the UK for a few days with RayZ and will be here when Mum gets back. Rascal says Woof and Bella says Yap! Fred and Ginger can't be bothered to say anything for me to pass on.
Take good care and lots of love. Miss you loads.
Dad
Aunt Jen
Katie...
Well, glad you aren't married quite yet! (haha)
It is great to hear all your thoughts on such a different culture! It certainly makes us all reveiw our lives and what we have, and perhaps take for granted. Keep soldiering on!
We love you and are thinking about you on your adventure.
Lots of Love,
Aunt Jen
Judith W.
Hi Katie,
I hope this note finds you well! If my calculations are right, you are now visiting with the younger children. If so, is it all that you hoped it would be? We all look forward to hearing about this experience.
I've enjoyed reading your blog, and appreciate your frankness about the experience and descriptions of the school!
Your mom was just in Vancouver , which was a great time- as always. I'm in N.Y. now visiting with B & Z for the week.
I'll stay in-touch. Thanks for creating this blog so we can be there with you.
With Love, Aunt Jude
P.S. Sarah continues to organize the wedding binder that you started
Peter H
Midge,
Enjoyed the blog update again. Sounds like the teaching is a bit of a nightmare. Perhaps you feel a bit more sympathy for some of your past teachers having had to control a classroom full of little terrors. I hope the orphanage visit goes well and you get to experience somewhere else in the country.
I noticed that old George W was around your neck of the woods this week and Barbara seems to have made a splash with some local charities and a reading initiative having claimed that she is really a librarian at heart. I dare say they didn't come to see you up-country but did you feel any impact of their visit? Whenever there is a state visit in Algiers the city workers all come out for a clean up campaign and spend ages painting the bottom metre of all the trees white. I guess that Bush must be a bit like the queen in thinking that everywhere smells of fresh paint.
Big rugby game today - England Vs France at Paris this evening. I am off to try to find somewhere to watch it. WIll probably be in French though but better that than miss the game. Do you get much news in Ghana either internal or international? Also, how is the recipe collection going? Any good dishes we can get the cook in ALgiers to tackle.
Well thats about it for now. Will write again soon.
Dad
Bubs
Hi Katie Honey: Found the most recent blog very interesting. However, stay away from the weavers.(I don't mean the singing group of the same name. I spoke with mom this evening and she told me that she had a great 45 minute talk with you and that you sounded wonderful. The difference in the cultures and the attitude of the children must be quite a challenge. But I know you can handle it. As far as home news New York had it's first snow fall and of course the whole city and airports fell apart with all kinds of closures and delays. Keep those blogs coming as we are all learning a great deal from your experience. Love you very much. Bubbles
Gran
Hi Katie , The snow we were promised turned out to be sleet which came down in tiny pellets . It caused chaos on the roads , but I did not have to go anywhere and Jen was off sick so we stayed in . Jen has the flu that is going round , I am tryng to avoid it . The storm has just about come to an end thank goodness . It must be frustrating having the kids always wanting to be given things . I hope you will find the other younger ones better . I wonder why you did not go there as you were supposed to . I suppose that it is very hot as the south of Nigeria would be . We were 1000 miles north in the Northern Region as it as then called . We had a very dry and a very wet season . I am wondering if Ghana is the same . I love you very much and hope you are still enjoying it there . Gran .
Gran
Hi katie love , how goes it ? I hope that you are still enjoying your " adventure ". It is still winter here and we are promised more snow tomorrow . I have very much enjoyed your story so far . I am thinking of you all the time and wondering how you are . Lots of love Gran
Jacqui
Wow Katie, it sounds amazing. As a traveller I'm really jealous and would love to be experiencing it too, as a mother it sounds really new and challenging and scary! No doubt it is all those things. I'm sure you can handle the boys - you've had Jordan to practice on all these years, and of course he always did as you told him! Anyway, we are all thinking of you, and enjoy the experience even the unexpected.
lots of love Jacqui xx
Bubs
Hi Honey: I so enjoy reading your Blog and finding it most interesting. I know you would prefer working with young children, and perhaps you can let the people in charge know what you would really like to do. Hang in there. Love you very much.
Aunt Jen
Katie...Sounds like you are having quite an incredible experience. Your blogs are awesome, you are very descriptive, which helps us understand the whole experience. It sounds like the children are older than you expected. Be safe and have fun! Eddie, Chelsea and David say "Hello" and send love!