Yup, I made it back. A week ago, I was sitting in Accra at about 30C, and now I'm home to -32C (including the wind chill). I've actually been home most of the week, but been busy re-adjusting my time, unpacking, planning suppers and grocery shopping, doing laundry and all the rest of the stuff one does upon returning from vacation.

We had a very full few weeks in Ghana. My brother and his wife picked us up from the airport when we arrived and took us to a guest house near by. We went to church on Sunday, and Mom tried to point out a few points of interest (I was still feeling so jet-lagged, I don't think I could see much of anything!).

On Monday, we got up early and went northwest to the town where my brother and sister-in-law are living. We were greeted warmly by the translation team and all the people in the area - the most common phrase I heard during my Ghanaian stay was "You are well come". About the only time I didn't hear that immediately when meeting someone was when they were calling, "Grandma! Grandma!" and it was always the next phrase out of their mouths, as they vigorously hugged or shook hands. It was always said with enthusiasm and a broad smile.

We spent just a few days in the town, then travelled north to Tamale (pronounced Tamm'-a-lee, not like the Mexican word). The town where my brother lives was rain forest a few decades ago and is still very lush, with many trees of many varieties. Tamale is in more savannah type area. We were near the end of the rainy season in Wurupong, but were into the "Harmattan" in Tamale. The harmattan is a hot, dry and very dusty wind which blows from over the Saraha for a few months each year. We stayed in the apartment of some folk who were away for a week because the guest house "lost" our reservations. That actually worked out very well - we had a bit more privacy and freedom to come and go as we wished. The next day, we had to visit the places Mom had lived in and worked in, and met many people who were thrilled to see her again. On Saturday, we trekked up to Bunkpurugu (Boonk'-per-oo'-goo) where we attended the dedication of the bible that was the supposed reason for our journey. It's about a 5 hour drive from Tamale to Bunkpurugu and we went up and back in one day - so I was grateful that the dedication was kept to just a few hours. We rested up a couple more days in Tamale, then returned for a few more days to Wurupong. If you look these places up on a map, Wurupong and Bunkpurugu are not usually marked. Wurupong is north of and near Kpandu (some maps have it as Kpando), and Bunkpurugu is on the northeastern border near Mango, Togo; but still in Ghana. There's a map of Ghana at http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/africa/ghana_pol95.jpg. We had a few more days in Wurupong, then returned for a few days in Accra before flying home again. When we got home, I'd had it with travelling!! I'm hoping I'll feel more like going places again in a month - I'm supposed to be attending a conference in Palm Springs.

It's good to see that I'm not the only wanderer returning. Welcome back Robert and Gayla!

-- Tricia the Canuck (jayles@jtelusplanet.net), December 06, 2004

Answers

Since I'm back now, does that mean that we get more story? Pretty please with sugar on top?

-- Tricia the Canuck (jayles@telusplanet.net), December 06, 2004.

Hi Tricia. Glad you made it back safely. It sounds like a wonderful trip. Your Mum must be quite a lady to still be able to cope with all that travel, it can be quite exhausting. I'm glad she had the chance to go back and see the people and places again especially for such a special reason. I expect she is very thankful that you two were able to do it together. Africa-Canada-Palm Springs, crikey and you have to fit Christmas in there somewhere. You're going to need some serious kick-back and relax time I think. Welcome Home.

-- Carol (c@oz.com), December 07, 2004.

Welcome back, Tricia!

I agree with Carol... your mom sounds like quite a lady! I bet you're proud of her.

Glad you had a good trip. :-)

-- Gayla (privacy@please.com), December 09, 2004.

(((Tricia)))

-- helen (mule@blows.a.slobbery.kiss), December 11, 2004.

I wanda where the Wonka went, after I brush my tooth with pepsodent? ...

As Dorothy said after visiting the chocolate factory.

-- Robert & Jean Cook (somwherein@GA.com), December 11, 2004.

Came across your travelogue when I googled Wurupong as I was trying for a detailed map of Ghana.

Yeah, our mom is quite the lady and we are actually proud of her 'way down inside. But along with the ability to survive to the age of 80+ has come some unpleasant characteriestics that look like selfishness when they may only be suvivalism.

I sprak from the 500 km distance that doesn't have to deal with the day to day.

-- Lila the Stay-at-home (lila1@sasktel.net), March 14, 2005.