Last night, Wednesday, I landed in Accra about 9:30pm, and was met at the airport by Quarshi and Hilda from Ikando. It was not as hot as I was expecting, maybe 30′ish. It is really good to be back here. The agenda for Thursday is to secure the transport to Burkina Faso for the weekend, and to do the usual fussy first day things (buy mosquito repellent, change down notes to coins somehow, fire up local sim card.) This time around it is a little more relaxed and I am planning mainly to just orientate, and change gears to local mode, on the first day. I will also find the local Burkina Faso embassy and get a visa happening.
As homesick as you get, and as much as you miss loved ones, there is still a part of me that feels like I would like to be based in Africa sometimes. This could work: 6 months at home, a month or 2 in West Africa, a month or 2 in Europe, and a month or 2 exploring elsewhere. The only thing missing is vast sums of money to support it. But I think that may be the only issue.
It has turned out to be quite hot: only mid thirties, but the humidity is 70% so it feels hot and sticky. I walked quite a bit today, partly to see and absorb a couple of areas I hadn’t seen yet. I forgot about the taxi drivers, who beep all non-Africans about 100 times. If the Dalai Lama were here, even he would lose it and reach in to throttle someone.
I could get plane tickets to Ouagadougou, but they are a bit steep: USD 1000+ return. This for the more minor and hence more exciting airways too. So I decided to take the STC bus, which is an air conditioned, modern government bus line. When I told Laura and Rose this at Ikando, they exchanged a knowing glance, so reading between the lines I investigated alternatives first. However with just a coupleof days notice this turned out to be the best option available, and even that nearly not. I think I got squeezed in somewhere after chatting at the help desk counter. The first enquiry I made was negative for Saturday departure (booked out), but OK for Monday. I wanted to be there on Sunday. When I then asked at another desk if there were alternative bus lines that they could recommend, they asked if I had my passport on me, which I didn’t. But if I could have it there by end of day they could arrange a ticket for Saturday. I did a quick round trip and now have a seat for Saturday morning departure on a 1000km, 24 hour bus trip. There are a couple of cons: time on the bus, and maybe reliability. There are a couple of pros: the cost was $31, and I will get to see a bit of countryside. There are also a couple of random factors: the person sitting next to you, possible breakdowns, and the driver. One thing I like about STC though is that there are 2 drivers who drive/rest. If it is a bit exhausting on the way up, I will fly back.
What could possibly go wrong. I have a very good feeling about this trip. And I am really looking forward to the film festival.