another early morning.

Sorry I haven't posted for a bit but it can be really difficult to connect to the net. Yesterday I was up at 5 am again for the supply run to the other three educaid schools upcountry. As I walked through the school to the car, two boys were already up and working. The pupils arrange the tables on their sides to give them a tiny bit of privacy and put out the mattresses and sleep on the floor. I don't know if it a particular thing here but I haven't seen a bed yet. I have a double mattress on the floor with a mosquito net so I suppose it gives the same feel as a four poster bed. At least I have a bedroom to myself with a shower room. Having a cold shower takes some getting used to, especially when washing your hair but a few minutes later you are dry and warm.

The trip can be very bumpy in places but luckily, the car is a toyota 4x4. Miriam is away up country training teachers so we used the driver for the trip. The back of the car was filled with wood for the cooking fire here but that was finally put on the roof rack so the cassava leaves and fish could go in the car. The last bit of the journey was done with a pile of leaves behind me and the gentle smell of fish wafting forward. When we got home, the fish was all smoked over the fire to preserve it.

We also stopped to get a few gallons of palm wine. This is actually the sap of the palm tree. It is tapped of the tree, a bit like a rubber tree, and then left overnight. It ferments and goes white and frothy and tastes rather refreshing. It is no stronger than a weak beer. I also bought some rather tasty biscuit like things. They make them from ground rice, ground peanuts and sugar and it is simply pressed together. I spent yesterday evening on the top deck above the flat sitting drinking palm wine and chatting to two of the teachers.

The Harmattan has started. This is a wind that blows from the Sahara. It is now much drier and windier during the day but it is a warm wind. The people here think it is cold but I was still in a sleeveless top outside at 10.30 pm. It will gradually get stronger and go on until after I leave.

As Miriam is away, I have been invited to the graduation from the university of one of the junior teachers on Saturday. The president will be there and we have to be in place by 8.30 for a whole day affair.

Well, there is my next post, as long as I can get a connection.

Keep warm!!!

Pat