Puumaaya

Papua New Guinea "Let's Chew Again"

2010-07-20T12:47:00.000-04:00

Back in Papua New Guinea for the second time we saw things with older eyes. We saw a new area, made a new family and visited the old. More footage, more focused on the heroes that bring it all together. Next time we will continue to grow.

Somaliland

2010-05-18T00:45:00.003-04:00

It's not Somalia. It's Somaliland and they like peace -

I was there for almost 3 weeks it was good for me. I met a lot of interesting people and talked about philosophy while chewing Jaad all night (Friday tradition).

I did not want to leave but I had to get back to finishing other things where they were.

G-Kenya

2010-04-18T09:14:00.003-04:00

I am in Kenya in the North East, staying in a smallish town called Garrisa for one month with my father (haven's seen him in a year prior to this) who is working with G-Youth.

It's a nice hot, dry place (though being rainy season, occasionally it's wet.) The residents are mostly friendly tall Somali's who love to walk. I am back to being "small girl."

There will be a Youth Day (formerly known as a summit) in two weeks. 700 are invited but it's "expected" that only 300 will show up! Everyone is excitedly worried.

In the frenzy we are playing ultimate frisbee (despite a confusing start), strategically planning construction of a volleyball net with tires/ pole/ cement, drinking milk tea, camel milk, fresh lemonade, whilst discussing the projects and aspirations of the younger generation.

We start major shooting tomorrow. Bring it on G.

Village Update

2010-02-17T14:01:00.002-05:00

Pete Dicampo is in Ghana now and just spent almost a week with my village buddies. He said Abdualai is actually getting paid to shoot videos! But he still doesn't know how to edit so he has to give up a cut of the pay. Abdulai told Pete that I taught him how to edit but that he isn't sure how to turn the computer on! Perhaps Pete will give him his old laptop.... thrilling.

Year of the Tiger

2010-02-14T13:45:00.000-05:00

I am now in Hong Kong. Recently returned from Papua New Guinea. We were there for 5 weeks, shooting a documentary. We chewed alot of Betelnut, the local "drug," or "coffee," as some say. Our video shall profile it. Soon, we'll have a preview up.

This is what they call culture shock. Tall building galore, like a graphic novel. But I am editing Africa footage so it's like I am there too. It makes the transition -fade- if you will. The fact that it wasn't cold here until the chinese new year hit was great. It's similiar to NYC except I can reach the hanging handles in the subway.

Kickstarter

2009-12-01T01:11:00.002-05:00

This website is really great.

We have posted a project! We are trying to finish editing the WhatTookYouSoLong Africa journey. We are a half to one thirds completed! The truth is - I am moving to Hong Kong no matter what to edit, but this funding will secure it.

Article on my work.

2009-09-13T19:28:00.006-04:00

http://www.friendsofghana.org/Friends_of_Ghana/Newsletters/Entries/2009/8/18_Fall_2009.html

You probably need to cut and paste it for whatever reason.

WhatTookYouSoLong.org

2009-06-22T03:14:00.002-04:00

This is what I am doing now. Starting tomorrow. No time for chatting, but go there and you'll see.
whattookyousolong.org

Bye, But I'll Be Back

2009-05-03T21:45:00.003-04:00

I said goodbye to the village. I packed up bags and took them away gradually (not even all). It took awhile. Weeks. I have a lot of stuff. I am a stuff person. But we are talking about nice jars and paper and crayons and string and hooks. And the occasional strip of cloth. So it was a mess but I got through it.

(So, of course I gave a bunch away and much of it was unwanted but I'd always ask, so we get to an empty yellow container that has a small handle- it was used for pancake mix, mailed to me, and Abdulai said it was The Best Thing. Like how could I not know he would love that? Haha, I love it.)

They are putting a new Peace Corps Volunteer in "my house." It's good. I am glad, but I am also sad. Some people told me they are worried the new person will not have a character that matches them, the village, like I do. Well put.

Alidu said I have done 2 good things and one bad. He kept me in suspense awhile.. not revealing that one bad thing. The two good things are the movie and the bikes. The bad thing is, of course, focusing on my own ideas of how to do things and not others (specifically the 'ones who brought me'.) He said he'll be sad when I am gone and he wanted to get into my suitcase. He acted it out, so funny.

Village Bicycle Project

2009-04-27T21:10:00.000-04:00

We scraped it through at the last minute, much credit to the crew that goes around and does this in Ghana. They sell bikes half price. Good bikes, and teach about them before letting them go. We signed up 60 people, mostly ladies, yea.

There were rumors we were going to run off with the money (before the bikes came) but now it's the best thing I ever did (I was 'warned' that would happen). The funniest part is that people yell my name when they see these bikes riding around, and some people don't like being yelled Puumaaya at (now they Know), but the people yelling say - hey - it has a good meaning. It means happy stomach but also when you want something and then you get it. It's not just a name, it's a word.

I am also being told I have finally lived up to that name, I brought development they can see every single day. Super.

Marvellous Studio

2009-04-18T19:43:00.000-04:00

I met them when doing Mango work and they made us a boom pole for our movie and lent us lights we never used. I like them. They have a video editing and sound recording studio - rugged but functional. Razak, the guy who made the place, practically lives in his edit booth. He has about 30 siblings and they are all somehow involved in some aspect of production. I'll put up pictures soon.

His father was the first guy to shoot video in the North. For television, a long time ago... Razak went to school for Electronics, a vocational one upon his father's insistence. He wanted to go to normal school and is still upset about it but likes that he can build amplifiers and wire things. He has a lot of dreams. He wants to make a computer factory in Tamale and a film school too.

The filmmakers here are mostly uneducated, some making scripts without knowing how to read or write. Some of the acting is so good they are wanted in other parts of the country and Nigeria but they can't 'cause they don't know english. But mostly they look up to Indian movies.

Razak wants to learn more effects, maybe in Hollywood, so he can make movies about the traditional stories - how horses climb trees and dwarves turn into any shap or size (like ghosts). He believes in the power of movies, not just for entertainment, but for development. They have a booming business. BUT there is a Stigma about filmmakers I just found out about! They are seen to be bad people and prostitutes. (Probably because of music videos and some of the Nigerian ones.) But really cause people can't seperate the people from the charachters they play. They think they are real.

I just spent a few weeks with them editing a video for the Ghana Danish Communities Association (GDCA) - about the RIGHTS BASED APPROACH. It's a neat and sensible idea. I'll try to upload some of it.

Village Premiere

2009-03-26T06:09:00.003-04:00

We screened in the Chief Palace, two nights. With my portable projector, village amplifier, generator, and a big sheet. It was great. Wish everyone could have been there. (Thank you Cheri for riding your bike 4 hours through a wind storm and bad directions (not from me). The village was though and that's what counts. Below, their comments.

"You made a true story."
"Can you show it every night?"
"I like the whole movie. Every part is good. You won't fall asleep."
"We aren't educated and we can't read, but this puts something in our minds we can think about."
"I was planning to go (south), but now I won't. I would like to go for a visit to know our capital city, but not to stay."
"Some people used to think others were making it up."
"I like the juxtaposition between Accra (capital) and the Village."
"I now understand how girls can get seduced by boys."
"I like the message the movie has, especially sickness and stigma."
"The movie starts out funny, but then it gets serious."
"The station (in our village) looks nicer than it is."
"I am not planning to go anymore, I would suffer more than the characters!"
"I was worried about the character at a certain point."
"The movie is educative about what to watch out for and steps that can be followed."
"I had heard of fire (destroying buildings in the south), but now I've seen it."
"Even though we are discouraged from going, people will, because of poverty."
"Nowadays people have changed. Youth move around and our children do whatever they want without consulting us. This movie can advise them like we (elders) can't."
"Our minds now tell us not to move."
"I like seeing Accra in the movie since I've never been there."
"I see using condoms is good, or we could abstain."
"I don't want to go south but if my husband asks me to I will. I do want to see the nice buildings."
"At night we can think about the movie instead of negative things, which is especially good for us elders."

Doing the Splits

2009-03-16T09:30:00.002-04:00

I was showing a 7 year old how it's done, rather - how it's not done. There was a huge popping noise as my pelvis hit the floor, I went down toooooo fast... it really hurts, increasingly.

Subtitling

2009-03-13T08:38:00.001-04:00

I think I've spent about three weeks in front of the computer subtitling. First our movie and now the Mango Movie. It's liberating to finally know what people are saying. But also frustrating to be sitting in front of a computer for two weeks. Luckily I am not dreaming about it. I used to dream about editing and there was no escape.

My Urban Migration

2009-03-08T08:32:00.000-04:00

I awoke the last day of the festival missing the village and wanting to leave. I flipped a coin and stayed, but the next day made it home in 7 hours - before dark. I hadn't been to Voggu in close to 3 weeks and everything was dusty. Usually people "yell" at me for "keeping long" but they were okay. The most okay I ever saw them after being gone so long.

Bon Appetit.

2009-02-28T08:29:00.000-05:00

At the beginning there was bread. Then there was french bread. Goat cheese, soft serve ice cream, yogurt, cotton candy, chocolate croissants, crepes, steak sandwiches, and last but not least strawberries. It was a tasty time. There are men walking around with big boxes on their backs, guess what their carrying? Fresh baked bread and President's butter. 50 cents will get you a full baguette with butter in a piece of brown paper so you don't dirty your hands. Why didn't I learn French?

Burkina Faso Film Festival

2009-02-28T08:21:00.000-05:00

(Feb 28-March 7)

We had a screening of our movie, but it was bad. There was a sky light! So no one could see the movie. Just the subtitles, which had to be changed at the last minute cause they were too long. I was still burning the disc the night before the show when the others managed to get us free badges to get in to all the movies.

Me and Daria and Cheri shared a bed in our new friend of a friend, Lucy's room, a model and freelance interpreter who loves movies. Unfortunately Nash (Director) and Kari couldn't come at the last moment because Nash's father fell sick. I didn't invite Abdulai (Producer, Writer and Star) cause we were going into the unknown and he can be a baby.

One highlight was a meal we were invited to by people in the Burkina Faso/ French film/ TV industry. The waiters and waitresses were on roller-blades and they juggled, ate fire, contorted, and flipped. They served us salads and a slab of meat cooked by hanging in fire - we all ate too much and felt sick after.

I got to watch Real Films. My favorite one was 20 minutes. Shot on 35mm, sadly showed on video, called Nora. It was about a real modern dancer from an African village. She tells the story of her early life in surreal scenes cut with brief text. The main characters speak in dance and everyone else acts "normal." The filmmaker was around and I heard she organizes an artistic film festival in Russia, where she is from, but lives in the US. The modern dancer is living in New York but from Africa.

While I didn't talk to her I did talk to a bunch of Kenyan filmmakers who came with a nice short called "Killer Necklace." It was shot on the Red, borrowed from South Africa. They also had an unfortunate screening with skylights in the room! I was interviewed by BBC and that's what I told them about when asked about movies I saw. I actually heard it the night I got back to Ghana! (I had a brief identity crisis and introduced myself as a Peace Corps Volunteer, but maybe that's why they aired it.)

I knew the festival was a big deal, but upon meeting people from around the world there, learned it was the "biggest" in Africa. Mostly I hung with an Ethiopian/ French couple who lives in Amsterdam. Others included a group of Scottish and British living in Ghana, a Ghanaian journalist/ filmmaker, a German graphic designer, a Malian/ German couple, an African/American filmmaker with a funny movie about an after school program, a couple with a Ghanaian Beach Resort, a Global Film Producer (former PC Volunteer in China), and a German film festival rep. We also got a tour of an impressive production studio by locals.

The Big Movie : Hilariousness & a Type of Confusion

2008-12-23T08:18:00.000-05:00

Hilariousness:
Our ringleader in the city slum, Mohammed, was put to the task of finding and dressing 2-3 school children on a Sunday while we were shooting with the lead actress, Asana. At an interim between scenes with her, Mohammed tells us to hurry and shoot with the kids. Because of his tone of urgency I reluctantly said okay.

David entered the room where he keeps the equipment and was totally surprised when more than 25 three year olds dressed for school started crying! David and I had to hide behind a corner with the camera because they were afraid of us (common at their age). Finally the kids calmed down, after given candy, on a bench. Of course the bench topples and they all start crying again!

Type of Confusion: Asana disappeared after shooting with the kids and we thought the mafia man took her only to realize later she fell asleep while waiting for us.

The Big Movie : Utter Fear and Hilariousness

2008-12-19T08:09:00.000-05:00

Utter Fear;
Upon arrival to the city slum we had to get permission to shoot. Similar to the customs at the village we had to go around to different elders and opinion leaders to present our identity and cause. Everyone accepted until we got to the "mafia man." Like out of a movie he threatened to impound the camera if we didn't comply with him so we did what he said.

The first time we met him was next to a bus at the main station for exporting goods abroad (his job-area and terrain). When he didn't offer us shade I knew something was up. He said we were rude for not greeting him at his house and that we would need to come back in an hour. An hour later he is nowhere to be found. The next morning we go to his house and back to the station. We had to wait outside a fast food place more than an hour for him to let us in. Then after talking at him and his goons he said he had to go to a baby naming and we needed to come again.

At this point we had wasted quite a bit of shooting time waiting for his permission and everyone knew it. We were told to forget him. But how? When one is surrounded by people in a market, who surely work for him? Finally, divided and confused, we run into an NGO worker and fluent English speaker. He explains that this man is just a "youth leader" in a certain area and we can "forget" him. The camera will not be imploded and we have rights and this man just wants money.

So we start shooting. We didn't trust anyone anymore for leading us to this trap.

Hilariousness;
As we are starting to prepare the first shot in the Slum some men call David & Abdulai over to ask them what the hell they think they are doing. I decided I would watch from a distance, and as the crowd and voices grew I was scared and took out my fear on the kids getting too close to the camera I was guarding. It ended and I frantically asked David what happened. He said there was one guy who was really angry and the others were yelling at him. In the end they said "we should do a really good job."

The Big Movie

2008-12-10T08:05:00.002-05:00

Dec 10 - Jan 9

It was planned, researched, re-planned, interrupted, refreshed, then finally - it happened. There was a lot going on. Abdulai was in recovery, I was in re-entry, and new people on the scene; Nash Imoru, a friend (and Kari's BF) living in Tamale as a teacher for the deaf, and David Kavanaugh, a friend from learning film. They both appeared like magic as the clock almost stopped ticking and wound it up.

We had a wild ride of utter fear, hilariousness, generosity/ bribes, role confusion, mis-communication of all kinds, theft, fire, hunger/ thirst, depression, alienation, jubilation, realization, and companionship. Too bad we didn't shoot it but then we'd have another list. I'll try to share some highlighted examples.

Organic Mangos & Integrated Tamale Fruit Company

2008-11-26T05:23:00.000-05:00

They like me. I like them. They are my new parents. I am making a seasonal technique video for them and they are making me a volunteer in Ghana that gets to eat and sleep without worrying about how that would work otherwise. But I still stay in the village. It's hard to edit without electricity so I move around a lot. On motorcycles if I want to.
www.itfcorganic.com/

Hooray for The USA

2008-11-06T12:19:00.004-05:00

I Love obama. Like a Super Hero.

By the way I am in the USA temporarily...
and I have witnessed the sudden transformation of the nation.

America is now Cool.

Except for the gay marriage ban. Not Cool.

Just wait, Super-Obama is in the white house.
(Knock on wood x3)

Miss Scarlet with the rope in the Dining Room

2008-10-31T05:21:00.000-04:00

I got 157 pieces of candy. My sister got less but evened it out a little with a game of poker. My sister and I drove a few blocks to a better neighborhood and went around as guests of Clue. One lady told us we looked like midgets. It was great to celebrate my favorite holiday.

Way to Go.

2008-10-28T05:19:00.000-04:00

So after being sent to the USA and "early terminating" peace corps, my good friend and counterpart, abdulai, rode a motorcycle and ran into a sheep that "jumped out" in front of him driving along without a helmut on. He almost died.

PRO-Choice

2008-10-20T05:17:00.000-04:00

So peace corps has a rule against riding motorcycles. This makes sense in the city where there is pavement and crazy drivers. But how about the bush? A lorry is just as dangerous when it's filled and stacked to the seams with people, animals and cargo. I am pro-choice in this matter of how you want to risk your life best. Just wear a helmet and watch out for the stupidity of sheep ...

Mobile Movie Making Bike Ride

2008-10-14T08:08:00.005-04:00

We - 6 volunteers & sometimes Abdulai - biked around the District to 5 villages for 6 days. Each village made quick "educational" videos about HIV/AIDS & then at night we showed them on a big sheet with a projector and amplifier. Most began with an introduction by the respected Chief & Elders whose faces look great on the big screen & People loved it. Then students or youth would do short dramas... a few even had more than 7 scenes. Quick scenes. Then we shot people trying to put condoms on wooden penises correctly. Always fun.

We had some strange technical problems but got through most of them. Why will my camera not export audio properly? Doesn't make sense. I got feverish toward the end too but I just need sleep I think.

Cheap Flights!

2008-10-02T23:26:00.000-04:00

www.asaptickets.com

thanks jojo

we went to KAYAAYO

2008-09-19T16:44:00.005-04:00

We have seen it to believe it. We lived it for a small time. It's a microcosm of the north squished into several blocks of wooden shaks with small passageways. Girls, small and tall, sleeping 16 to a small room. The community is called Sodom and Gomorrah. Today it's not but perhaps yesterday it was.

The girls told us they are happy to be making money for themselves and not just their parents. But the families are not so happy when the daughters get pregnant and the men disappear and not knowing really who to Blame.

Economically speaking, which it what it is all about, I heard it's the highest source of income the north has. I think it is call for Revolution. Peace, love, and rock and roll? perhaps I am being optimistic...

A YEAR

2008-09-18T16:44:00.000-04:00

Today (or yesterday depending who you ask) I have been in Ghana for a year. Not sure I've stayed in one country this long. Though I certainly move around the country. But this is my first time back in Accra, the big huge city we flew into. It didn't look so big then. But now this is like Europe or the USA. Except still no movie theater. Someone needs to change that. I should write letters. They could make lots of money. Lots. But I celebrated with a strawberry smoothie and real whipped cream. MMM.

RAMADAN

2008-09-05T16:44:00.000-04:00

I am fasting with my people. They appreciate it plus I'll cross it off the roayl to do list. But it's kinda normal-ish. It's harder when it's sunny and I am thirsty. But no water no food until sun down at 6:15pm. Then most people get up at 4am and have a meal but I prefer to sleep. We were at a workshop in Kumasi for a week which made it easier since we weren't moving.

New Danish Collaborators

2008-09-05T04:55:00.000-04:00

http://www.artrebels.com

Youth Forum 2008

2008-09-05T04:52:00.000-04:00

I Bee Busy

2008-09-04T22:25:00.002-04:00

and still living in the lands of some milk and honey.
Though not going to have it in the day time... it's Ramadan. And I am trying, starting now.

Too busy to write. oops.

Will's Women

2008-08-07T19:11:00.009-04:00

From a Nice & Old Film Camera

I like feet.

One of my favorite singing women.

No chopping the candy.

This was dry season. Now it's green.

I spy with my little eyes
a Super 8 camera & radio Walkman.

Poo Like A Lady

2008-08-05T21:17:00.004-04:00

Art by Susan Belle
(we know each other.)

-I want to paint this in my village to encourage sanitation. I think it's a super piece of poo.

Vienetta

2008-08-05T19:37:00.003-04:00

Today was actually lucky. I found this treat in the store. I asked the price and they said it was expired. I exclaimed. I begged and pleaded. They laughed and said I would get sick. They could see it in my eyes, I was deadly serious and not leaving without it. Finally the big boss lady said ok and this little piggy ran all the way home. It was a little freezer burned and I shared it with one person and it was sublime. Flavor Brownie. I need not say more. I am speechless.

Action

2008-07-27T16:54:00.001-04:00

So here we are. It's about August. We want to shoot October-November. We need money honey. I am writing a Pepfar proposal for the making and showing. But the big money- the one for the film stuff- it's not enough... sooo... I was thinking to set up something where people can buy DVDs of the short.. and there's gotta be another way of raising it too. So let's think it up. Get up to speed aaaaand aaaaaction.

http://kayayoo.blogspot.com/

KAYAYO SHORT Part 1 & 2

2008-07-27T16:47:00.004-04:00

This is 20 minutes. It's the dialogue version of Puumaaya. So the same but more... much better credits tooo

2008-07-27T16:46:00.002-04:00

The F word.

2008-07-20T21:00:00.000-04:00

Feature Film?

They watched the short one and said it should be longer. So, if I am applying for a grant and why not make it real? Seriously, celluloid. If I can get some help. I'm working on the details. But we better hurry up. Trying to get this shot and edited a little by December so we can go to the Burkina Faso Film Fest in February. And take a side trip to see their circus.

We just finished subtitling! I am impressed with our 22 minute cut. I thought it'd be much longer.
There is no translation for Naa. It's just a response to everything.

The Curse on The Generator

2008-07-10T20:57:00.000-04:00

e were editing every night at a friends Video Show. Feeling seriously productive for a change... when... someone cursed the generator. Why? No one knows but the curse has been confirmed by an elder who didn't want to get involved in the Why. The word is that this Generator must be traded since it will never-work-here-again. But even after the trade they don't want to use it here. What will we do? It makes me question it all...

But guess what - I got a text message while at the art show. "Thank god we got a generator. When are you coming?"

Update: They have a new generator. Video shows are back on to every ones elated cries- and they have competition. Which is why the generator was cursed. The curser has started his own video show. It's only a matter of time before he can get enough chickens to make another curse...

Deaf Dreams of Art

2008-07-06T20:55:00.000-04:00

June 28-July 6

Some may recall the day I heard that I wasn't going to be an art-teacher-of-the-deaf as my job in Peace Corps. It was a sad day.

The past two weeks I pretended I was one. I also taped a whole lot. I must must edit.

I just returned from the annual Art Show- this year at Cape Coast School for the Deaf. Every PC Art Teacher brings 2 students (of which there are 6 -all at Deaf Schools at present.) Cape Coast is one of my new favorite places with its decrepit old buildings and littered beautiful ocean.

Kari, my good friend teaching near me at Savelugu School for the Deaf unfortunately fell ill so I took her students down down this country- (though I intended to go to make The Video anyhow). Before leaving I spent a bunch of days with her students so they wouldn't freak out when traveling with a stranger who doesn't know sign language - and I taught the 2 lucky ones to "Dance A Painting," from which I made a small video.

To understand the video you must also realize that the talented students here are being taught to do drumming in dancing for 2 hours every afternoon by a professional from the Tamale Cultural Dance Troupe (Kari & Nash set this up). It's quite exciting - they are getting good and will some day come to a Theater Near You...

Seriously. I will edit.
Featuring 12 Deaf kids between ages 12-19, Six Peace Corps V. teachers, an Art Show with work from each school, The Ocean, SilkScreening T-Shirts &anything else you happen to be wearing, a lot of Meals where everyone got Fat, Blind Kids Singing and playing Soccer, Batiking, Kakum Canopy Walk where one girl is very scared, and Fireworks in the Rain.

Right now I am preparing my return to Voggu & my divorce from my two pseudo kids. I'll visit them. Maybe even teach a little.

For the Love of Cheese

2008-06-07T17:57:00.002-04:00

I have started making cheese. Starting with fresh and soft we have attempted Mozzerella and Bondon. Lactic Cheese will be ready in the morning. Apparently good on crepes.

I got a kit. Thank you papa! It has two cultures for soft + hard cheeses and rennet tablets. Plus the needed cheesecloth. A friend going to France will pick up more Rennet... and we can multiply the Cultures ourselves.

So far I've confined my laboratory to the controlled environment of the Peace Corps Tamale Sub-office where there is a refrigerator, stainless steel and other enthusiasts.

In fact my imagination has created a future cheese cave, herd of goats, cows, and everyone as a cheese maker, including the Ghanaian guards. Endless supply. We'll have people of all sorts from far and wide trying to get there hands on a wedge of our unique recipes that we will create once we master the art. If you're lucky we will export.

So I've started graphing and making signs. I am detailing the subtleties of what makes each cheese it's own. Heating and cooling at different rates to varying degrees, pressing with certain amounts of weights, shaping to tasty sizes...

This week I am experimenting at home. Next Chapter- cheese made in warm temperatures...

"a cheese may disappoint. it may be dull, it may be naive, it may be over-sophisticated. yet it remains cheese, milk's leap toward immortality."-clifton fadiman (motivational excerpt from my cheesemaking textbook)

Barak-O

2008-06-04T19:27:00.004-04:00

I heard it on BBC in the morning...and I felt somethin.
I'll vote from here & Excited to Be.
Do I smell tasty BarakO cookies in the future?
You add the sugar and I'll add the butter. We'll both beat.
Let's Bake and share.
Close your eyes and take the biggest bite...

Traveling Circus

2008-06-01T06:29:00.000-04:00

So I had an epiphany the other day. Everything became clear and I was floating. As my cloud landed I realized it wasn't a dream. We can do this. It doesn't have to be my whole life future... instead of girls and boys traveling south for work how bout they join the circus?

We'll spread messages of young girls caught in the ropes... boys caught up with the girls and everyone caught up with the money for their farm or their bowls... and the sad donkey that works so hard (Alidu just got one and I am elated). Monkeys and Clowns who are dirty and clean house and build sanitation facilities that they can't figure out the reason for...

and elephants. (one can hope)
Mole National Park isn't actually that far...

Festival au Desert (Mali)

2008-05-21T11:13:00.005-04:00

JAN 8,9,10th 2009
You should visit... This is a good time... Buy your plane ticket now...

HISTORY
Created in Jannuary 2001, the "festival au désert" is held every year in Essakane, two hours from Timbouctou in Mali.

This Festival seeks its origin in the big traditional Touareg festivities, as Takoubelt in Kidal and Temakannit in Tombouctou, which represented for long time a place for decision making and exchange of information among the different communities. At the beginning, there were songs and touareg dances, poetries, camel rides, games, etc.

Today, the Festival is opened to the external world and welcomes artists from other Malian regions, other African countries, but also from Europe and from the whole world.

During three days, around 30 artistic groups are invited from all around the world to present their art.

Due to the attention of the media and to the huge logistic effort that it is mobilizing, the Festival is now included among the Big Modern Festivals, though it maintains its traditional cultural aspects.

MAIN
http://www.festival-au-desert.org/
LISTEN
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/soundcheck/episodes/2007/07/03/segments/81493
ARTICLE
http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/07/malifestival200707

Is it a Hurricane? No, it's just "the Rain."

2008-05-19T10:23:00.000-04:00

So it has rained a few times now. Today being one - and it's not just rain that comes, it's wind- and plenty of it. There is lightening and thunder too but wow that wind - it's like a hurricane! A part of my roof has actually blown off, a small part and not in my bedroom so it's ok - and it's supposedly getting fixed tomorrow.

I got a cold because I was still sleeping outside but that wind! It just about knocked me off the bed - well, the makeshift bed as mine had bed bugs (may-be scabies) - man, it was awful - but I got rid of them by pouring boiling water over my bed, washing the creases, leaving it in the sun, washing the sheets with treated stuff, and spraying the house with strong repellent. The procedure was rough and involved plenty of bites, sleeping on a row of chairs with a towel sheet- and cursing. But now how I appreciate my lovely bed and soft sheets! It makes me think about the wonders of whipped cream.

In-Service-Training

2008-04-21T10:07:00.000-04:00

April 21-26

This was about a week of flashback to training but we all got to bring our counterparts so that was fun. We should have/could have had this at the beach but for some reason our organizer is tired of having it there!

We ate enough protein to last the year I think. Got to go swimming and stay in a fancy hotel room with fancy tile floors that feel nice under the feet. I jumped on the bed and did flips too (so I could get hungry then just for fun). I lost my beloved change purse I have had since I was 12 and admired the stylish front desk woman's short tie.

It was a great bonding experience with Abdulai and I think he got a lot out of it all. Not just swimming in a pool which he had never done and playing Marco Polo (he kept saying Michael Polo). Or seeing me drink beer, which in my village of muslims who don't drink I never let on that I did...

We interviewed him and he said that he thinks we were all put in the right communities and he is happy with his Peace Corps Volunteer- compared to the rest. Ok - so I asked him the question but I think it's true. And it's true for me too! We shared experiences and ideas. I got paler from all the sitting inside. We got a lot of papers on proposals we could write... and the small print.

The Rain is Coming, The Rain is Coming

2008-04-12T15:58:00.000-04:00

Yea! I have a newly built Net for my veranda to keep all those nasty little bugs that would have eaten me away. Since I live in a corn field...

I will make a local fridge to make local cheese... and I will eat more vegatables.

Buddy Abdulai says I will die because no one will visit me or be able to do anything because everyone will be at farm. Haha. Can't wait! Some school kids will still be in school sometimes and I will finally Paint. Oh and I will buy a hoe for 2 bucks so I can try to farm though Abdulai again says I will die. It's just a jokey expression, don't fret.

Under Pressure

2008-04-11T15:56:00.000-04:00

Today I was woken up on my veranda bed (it's so hot) and was suddenly asked to do something special for a visitor and Guinea Worm Soccer game for the afternoon. It was super - we put our little drama together, made costumes quickly, rehearsed and boom.

I was told I was horror & that I should never wash my face cause it was beautiful. I wore clown makeup with a few painted Guinea Worm wiggling on my face and had my hair in pigtails with pink clothed dangly arms & a polka dotted headband. I sat on My Buddy Abdulai's shoulders with a drawn cyclops on a sheet wrapped round us. We were the Monster Guinea Worm. A gun couldn't kill us but a filter could. Defeated I was carried off hanging upside down from a stick by the warriors.

This same morning found us finally on the first day of making the Guinea Worm video drama. Superstar is Alidu who is directing and it made him hungry! It takes longer than he thought... We are racing the rains cause they are coming.

Peas & Carrots

2008-04-10T15:39:00.000-04:00

There are two families within the large Dagomba tribe here in my Northern Region. I call them Peas and Carrots. There is hardly a difference between them except there are more Peas and "naturally" they support opposite political parties.

My Buddy Abdulai is a Carrot and Superstar Alidu is a Pea. Hmmm... The plot thickens.

Something happened about a month ago when I met a certain man called Prince from Voggu here at a funeral who now works as an advisor to the President.

I knew some of his legend and that he was powerful and had built the health center (where bats live now), put up the electrical wires (nothing running yet), and my house. Naturally I thought maybe he could do more.

What I didn't know was that he is a controversial character. He's a carrot. He was a carrot in power when the pea Paramount Chief (of all Dagombas) was Murdered 4 years ago (power changes from Pea/Carrot after a chief's death). The crime is still unsolved.

This largely small incident woke me up to the reality of my insignificant significance. I will leave it at that. I will be going on a trip for the elections here later this year... yes.

Witches & Wizards Camp

2008-04-09T15:55:00.000-04:00

I had the opportunity to go to one of the three in Ghana, all located in the Northern Region. It's a place where people who are decided to be witches are sent. It is believed they may be cured by the Fetish Priest. But even so the're likely not given a warm welcome home. I did some taping, some interviews. When asked why they are there they say Hate. It's a prison with invisible bars.

I asked Abdulai about witches. He said there was one in Voggu who killed his bestest friend. He had to leave the village for 3 months to get over it. He told me the story though he said I would have to see it to believe it.

Basically there are certain people in the village who "know" about witches. One of those people declared a meeting with all the women in the village and said that one person there was planning to kill a young man (at this point Abdulai said is this scaring you? - I said no) and if that person went through with it that they would be caught. That night Abdulais buddy got a headache, but they thought it just couldn't be him and that couldn't be a sign. But it was and then a few hours later he was dead. Totally dead.

So the next day all the women were called again and the man declared that the woman was not present. He went to her house and went into her sisters room - that is where she hid the juju, (living in the same house as the boy - his Aunt) there was a thing that he found in that room that no one else could have noticed. It was a strange looking thing with hair and human blood in it. There was also a tooth and a woven piece of rope like for catching a fish. The woman was sacked to Dalun, a fairly nearby village that has a body of water and a fetish priest. It is said that if the witch tries to kill again the water will kill her.

Bolgatanga "Live Art" Project

2008-04-07T06:53:00.003-04:00

This was a neat 3 week workshop that just ended which is why I have been sooo busy. I mostly taught kids how to use the video camera for the documentary the Lotus Collective is producing - they will come back in a year to show it to the communities.. yea.

What we did was largely based on Augusto Boal's ideas (founder of Theater of the Oppressed) using his book Games for Actors & Non-Actors. (Late birthday gift anyone?)

Picture Slideshow
www.flickr.com/photos/camusartink/show/

Lotus Collective
www.lotoscollective.org.uk/

Celebrity

2008-04-05T15:58:00.000-04:00

I read an article in Newsweek (we get those kinda weekly) by a recently turned Celebrity and I felt I could relate a lot to what she was saying. I walk around and people call my name, if I stop and talk they are happy. My closest friends are somewhat harassed and people think I give them nice things. There is a (language) barrier between most of us. Everyone knows my business or wants to know.

Watch HIV/ AIDS Video for Competition, 10 minutes

2008-03-07T23:38:00.000-05:00

Old Photo

2008-02-10T20:22:00.000-05:00

Radio Reception

2008-02-10T20:19:00.000-05:00

Local Bed

2008-02-10T20:11:00.000-05:00

My Room (Messy)

2008-02-10T20:08:00.001-05:00

Baobab

2008-02-10T20:01:00.000-05:00

My House

2008-02-10T19:58:00.000-05:00

Kari On Swing

2008-02-10T19:55:00.000-05:00

Cyclops (ingest to get Guinea Worm)

2008-02-10T19:35:00.000-05:00

Attack of the Killer Cyclops & The Dance of the Filters

2008-02-10T19:30:00.000-05:00

The big question is will me & the Super Star clash, compliment, or contribute to each others idea for the drama we are going to make.

My idea is a bit wild ok, & his an educational comedy, which would fit into the middle of mine... but will he go for it?

Abdulai is working on a set of illustrations to help explain my idea but he is having trouble with the final frame that includes a human worm made up of children walking on their hands with their legs supported by the next person's body. He says he can't draw it because he has never seen it.

The Monster Cyclops is easier because it's just one person on another shoulders with a cyclops costume on (the little devil that causes Guinea Worm if ingested and found in the Local Dam where people get water and can only be defeated by cloth filters). The Warriors will also be drawn with sticks on their shoulders carrying small children with filter skirts on doing simple yet stunning acrobatics.

Super Star

2008-02-10T19:14:00.000-05:00

His name is Alidu but I call him Super Star cause that's what he is. He does it all; from manually fixing water pumps, to saving orphans, to mobilizing the community for ____ reason, to fighting guinea worm, to acting and being on the radio for discussion on philosophy, to Warrior (10 years ago his left eye was shot out in the civil war), to wearing cool sunglasses all the time, to wanting to learn English cause he hasn't been to school, to being the one strangers come to when traveling by. And of course he got me here. The joke being is he my father or am I his third wife?

Non Government Organizations

2008-02-10T19:08:00.000-05:00

They sound good. They mean well, but I can't talk about them cause I don't know them well enough. We've only just met. We're trying, been on a few dates, he even came over to meet the family but I'm not sure they liked him. Speaking of if you want to get in the Shea Butter buisness let m know. (it comes in bars like soap but goes on smooth.) Serious Inquiries Only.

Abdulai

2008-02-10T19:05:00.000-05:00

Abdulai-bla (small who resembles his father)

2008-02-10T19:01:00.000-05:00

is my favorite and best friend here, living just close. It's really great. We talk about whatever is on our minds. He helps me remember things I said once, we argue (he is right a lot I will admit), he even shows me how to cook & makes fun of how I cook fish - with the meat actually white, not fried solid.

He draws well from his head, paints houses & cements floors, learned carpentry for 3 years, & fixes radios. He has a sense for shooting video too.

I invited him to a nearby village's youth association meeting I was invited to- made up of a group of creative & motivated & excited people hoping to "fill the gap" in the places they live empowering themselves. Know what you want before someone tells you. Yeah.

The Youth Clans

2008-02-10T18:44:00.000-05:00

Visit me regularly - the 20 some's who speak English and look for things to do, the older school kids who act cool, the younger school kids who cause trouble and are obnoxious, the 6-10 crowd who plays on my acrobatic bar, and those under 6 who are hilarious because they are silly and have parties across the road parading & dancing & drumming.

Happy Stomach

2008-02-10T14:27:00.000-05:00

Food is scarce, yet people are eating- including me. If there are not enough vitamins & minerals your stomach gets big and sticks out.

I get lazy when it comes to food, luckily if I'm hungry people will feed me - tizert (pounded millet)with okra or baobab leaf stew. Once I encountered BushRat stew, a local delicacy, but the taste is um, quite, yes -a bit gamey.

I try to stay stocked with eggs & laughing cow. Everything has to be bought at market or the Big Town. Tomatoes too but that's harder cause they get squashed and go bad. There's tomato paste in small tins which I just learned to open - rub the tin fiercely on a stone until the lip just peels away! Clean & pretty.

But the price of a can will also buy me local chop - my favorite being sold in the AM between 7-9ish (Rice & Beans- it's just rice in the afternoon). If I happen to have woken up energized and fetching water I will often stop and get some in a bag then eat it for lunch and dinner with additions.

Sometimes I have hot smooth porridge from a neighbor made with millet, ginger and other nice things. Sometimes I save that for dinner too. It is good with local peanuts which I can get by walking around since people are cracking them all day. Another yummy treat is KuliKuli- a large ring shaped crunchy snack made of pounded & fried peanut- each costing a penny and good with tea.

Though people cannot drink tea without bread which is very funny to me since I drink tea almost daily, whether it being morning chai with local honey & milk, afternoon lukewarm tea cooked by the local sun with sugar, or night tea- an herbal blend or mint if my stomach aches with Ghardia which comes and goes. Look it up. But don't worry, I take antibiotics- sometimes.

Total Dissolution

2008-02-10T13:47:00.000-05:00

This is to all you Power Yogas out there (meaning Naomi) - we got this tape at a Thrift store for a $1 (there, not here). I transferred it to audio because it happens to be one of the best classes out there (I spent a month going to local free trials) so this week I have been stretching with the sun going down & sometimes BBC or the soccer match would accompany me- though I am not sure Tony would agree that's a power yoga move.

Guniea Worm Photos

2008-01-28T19:57:00.000-05:00

TIME MAGAZINE ONLINE
www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1707059,00.html
by my talented (closest in distance) Peace Corps Buddy

25

2008-01-27T20:37:00.000-05:00

Appropriate Old Picture from Ceremony Day

Tomorrow Is My Birthday - I will be A Quarter

2008-01-26T09:10:00.000-05:00

Now is the time to write me that letter or email you always wanted or send me that Gatorade powder, mac & cheese powder (you can skip the noodles), duct tape, tea, fun, good paint/ brushes, dv tapes, 16mm short ends, 35mm film, or if you are feeling adventurous pizza and ice cream.

I am actually attempting to make ice cream right now, condensed & powdered milk, sugar & cocoa. We'll see...

Tomorrow My plans are dressing like a present, a Wedding, African Cup of Nations game & much much more.

Fire Fire Everywhere

2008-01-19T21:47:00.000-05:00

Like a parade, like a dance, like setting everything on fire. It is a holiday to remember the dead and an old story of a chief's small son who got lost so the village went to search for him with torches. They found him by a big tree so in the reenactment the torches are flown through the air onto the live (therefore indestructible) tree. It can be quite dangerous but I had a boom mic bodyguard and I got to witness 5 villages of them over two nights and taped them all from different angles. I somehow do not have my battery charger with me so editing later.

The Sea Ride

2008-01-09T17:27:00.001-05:00

The Lorry (trotro) I take between Tamale and my village goes on a road that looks as I would imagine the ground of the sea. It is wavy, bumpy, carpeted with red dirt, holey, and I get sea sick. There are holes in the bottom and to start it they pinch wires. I took a picture got it developed and hung it up.

Swing!

2008-01-09T17:18:00.000-05:00

Me and my new partner in crime built it. We chopped three tall trees, stuck two deep in the ground and the other across - some rope and a broken desk chair later a glorious swing! It is the beginning, the beginning of an acrobatic playground. I have high hopes, a trapeze? Parallel bars? Balance beams? I think so.

The Famous Village

2008-01-05T17:32:00.000-05:00

When I tell people in Tamale where I live many exclaim - oh! Something happened there once. I have heard different stories, the government came with a tank to break up some kind of civil dispute but the people attacked them and the troops fled and left the tank, the government gave them a bus that they didn't want so they set it on fire, and a horse ran up a baobab tree and left hoof prints that are still there.

I asked a trusted fellow from my village to explain, he did and it was long and complicated involving chiefs and tribes, and indeed some kind of civil war where more than 40 important people got shot about 10 years ago. Mr. Superstar Alidu, the guy I work with often and is a superstar cause he is awesome had one of his eyes shot out in the war and will give me a detailed account at a later time. And that tree fell down a couple years ago.

The Dancing Horse

2007-12-17T05:28:00.000-05:00

This week was full of treats like this. I had seen the white horse in a village tour of the chiefs palace before and was told he could dance. I had forgotten about him until I looked up at the turn of the crowd toward the big white flash. The horse wore a sort of mask, almost medieval looking, but completely made of leather tassels that resembled hair over his face. His rider wore short stirrups and kicked to the music but the horse would jerk his head and lift his feet in such a way that proved this horse could dance.

Dancing Dances

2007-12-16T05:24:00.000-05:00

(In order of appearance)

At the conclusion of a funeral - or just cause, it is called the Tora and is for only women, though men beat the drums for it. The woman stand in a line and two at a time run/ dance toward the other with a sort of skip, hop and jump and bang butts together! I did try...

A dance for the men - this involves a big swingy woven shirt that comes in plenty of different pretty color combinations. They also wear a little slightly floppy hat that is often a velvet material. They swing around in this dance and people put coins on their foreheads. Kind of a free for all including dancing drummers - and the best part - a screeching woman.

There was a "dance party" thrown by the Guinea Worm Eradication Team who provided a generator, music and sporadic educational commentary. As I approached the dance I thought it would be just people dancing, but no, it was a big huge circle of everyone and then some would go into the middle to dance to a song I think they picked. I did not. I had some Fear. But if forced I was planning on pretending to be an acrobatic ballerina, as if that is how americans dance... My favorite dancing couple was an old old man and young young girl, basically just shuffling about.

Here's a good one I finally got to see - The men dress up like women with wigs, snug clothes, skirts and tutu like things. Then they shake their booties.

Shooting Guinea Worm Concert

2007-12-14T05:28:00.000-05:00

Promised to be and lived up to being quite an event - Live instruments, musicians, lights, a stage, acrobatic dancers, and Miss Ghana. The stage was set up as you would imagine so I was picturing quite a mad scene what with weaving my way through a crowd of people to shoot, but it wasn't to be.

The area in front of the stage was off limits to everyone but us photographers so I got front and center - it appeared, as I was shooting, that the whole concert was in fact for me - if I panned the camera you would see a sea of people starting from the ground and going all the way to the sky as people were standing on the tops and sides of buildings. A couple of times all the power went out and people ran around getting the backup backup generators going.

The Deaf School

2007-12-13T05:31:00.000-05:00

I went to visit a new friend Peace Corps Volunteer who teaches art there. The place is probably 40 km/ 2 hours traveling public transport or riding a bike and less than an hour if I somehow went direct. I certainly want to visit more. It is like out of a Herzog film.

There is an angular playground that no one plays on, crowded bunk rooms (though more are being built), and a mess hall. There are announcements at dinner - a big kid stands on top of a table. One big kid is particularly noticeable- everyone is scared of him and he walks around like a real tough guy, like a clown charachter.

The art stuff is hard for me to look at without feeling some pain but it is really great. They have done abstract self-portraits and kente weaving.

Baobab Trees

2007-12-10T05:34:00.000-05:00

I had a feeling that is what they were. The fat dwarfy old stumps that stand tall and I-almost-fall-of-my-bike-from-looking-at-too-long. There is one I can see from my home that is about 80 years old. I need to make a map and count them. Someone please send me The Little Prince. It needs a Dagbani translation.

BATS

2007-12-09T05:23:00.000-05:00

There are many. The wake me in the middle of the night. What are they doing up there? Thumping, squeaking, falling? Having parties I assume - but on this particular night the party was so loud (celebrating the departure of the bees?) that I was certain there was one in my room. Mostly because I heard a story of that happening (to Cheri) and then people tried to shoot them, while indoors... I never heard the full story. Should I?

Killer Bees

2007-12-08T05:22:00.000-05:00

My second night back we sprayed the killer bees that were hanging out in my roof with out permission. They are usually not out at night, that is, unless they are sprayed. I noticed some buzzing and all of a sudden I realized that they might be a bit angry about the spray. I ran inside and two got in, but I got them with my shoe. The people on the ladder exclaimed and ran away too. They left me alone with the Buzzing. I quickly accessed that I better turn my lantern off and get inside that net of mine.

I actually started out calm as any evening, recording audio of myself telling about the day, but then the buzzing got louder and louder and louder. I realized the little red light on my recorder should be turned off and that, as I could not see anything, there could be bees all around me. Since they smell fear too they must be attracted to me. So I wrapped myself and pretended to be a cocoon in my sleeping bag, which I actually do use in the currently cold mornings. I played music for myself to drown out any buzzing noise but the loud beating of my heart did not cease.

I actually thought I might die, and if not then, mostly of fright, in the morning when the bees would be waiting for me. I lay in fear for about 4 hours, and finally let myself out of the bag for air and passed out. The next night -- BATS.

Maps

2007-12-07T05:34:00.000-05:00

Right now that seems to be a big focus of mine. Villages close by and this one. I don't know my way around yet though I love riding around, the weather right now is real nice, the winds, cold mornings, dry heat...

It Is The Best Bike

2007-12-01T21:41:00.000-05:00

I got one in the New York City of Ghana - Kumasi. There are actually old buildings there, and seas of people. My first impression of the town was poor because of bad traffic but then upon walking around it was amazing. I like it a lot.

The bike is a small black Raleigh with dual suspension shock absorbers. I didn't realize what that meant until my reluctant test drive. I thought I wanted a cruiser bike - one of the old fashioned ones with the curved handlebars and big comfy seats. But then I rode, rather, gli-ded on the dirt road through potholes and all. I was blown away and had to get it.

Now I spend my days thinking about it and what I can do to make it happy. Today I bought it a nice black wire basket, a small silver bell, and a back rack for carrying water. I almost bought a big beautiful black and yellow seat but I wasn't sure it was the perfect one so I held back. I have been promised a polka dotted one from a friend so I am going to see how that fits. I also though about getting a shiny nifty red visor helmut, but again, I already have a helmut so I am going to wait until I have more money, since I suppose a stove might be more important (is it?).

2007-11-23T06:20:00.000-05:00

Leaving The Land of Point

2007-11-23T06:18:00.000-05:00

Today is the last day in Training and with my family. I am moving. I also forgot to mention that the The Point play was a smash! It happened some weeks ago.

I thought we had an experimental play about the kids attempting to put on a play- like most of our practices had gone (of which there were 7) but the day of we took the kids out for a final practice before the supposed show and were pleasantly surprised. (At the practice before this half of the kids half rebelled against us because they wanted to play soccer. Then we said ok - go play soccer and they wouldn't.)

While we practiced the finishing touches on the set design were made including sharp points for all heads and a beautiful sign somehow tied in place by a ceiling beam and a bench welcoming the crowds in the front of the un-finished church.

Oh yes, the crowds- I felt like I was working on a film shoot again as I ran around the whole town before the play telling everyone and their mother to come because the school class that we had intended to invite had been let out earlier than we thought they would be. The audience wasn't as old as we were seeking but the benches were full.

The play was presented in the local language (except the songs) so that all the kids would get the point... translated by almost all the Ghanaian training staff so I am now known as the Volunteer of Point.

Yesterday I was in the Training Office checking to make sure I passed my language test (I did) as Little John told me I should (it was an unexpectedly difficult test) and we had to send someone away because he walked into the room and did not have A Point.

Puumaaya

2007-11-15T02:15:00.000-05:00

is my new Dagbani name.

The elders thought about it for several days.
Definitions in the nice order I received them -

Happy stomach.
Happiness all around. A Happy feeling.
Another way for happiness.
A name that can be given if the first child dies.

Puumaaya
(poomaia)

bIG aFRICAN yELLOW bAT CAVE

2007-11-14T01:07:00.000-05:00

November 10th-14th

babyC

(In this Peace Corps world of acronyms I created one for myself, as I told myself I would never do. I had to... )

My new home is alive and well. I cleaned it up but the bats are too smelly to be allowed to live with me. Don't worry, they are in the roof. I only notice it when I return home and after the first night I slept fine amidst their loud banter.

It is in the middle of a cornfield where the 'cowboys' roam with the cows. I have heard they play flutes. I have tasted their sweet milk and it is Fine. Fried cheese curds too (a gift from Tamale). Heavenly...

The elders greeted me with their sandals off and their smocks on. (that's for the jokers).

The moment I arrived to the community I was faced with a somewhat big decision - they were afraid that I would be attacked by bees if I lived in babyC. That's right, there are some bees too, though I have only seen three. At least it was an odd number- Barnes would be happy. I chose to be with the supposed bees, after all- the more yellow the better.

The other reason they didn't think I could live there is because there was no bathing room (A room with a hole for the water to go as you pour it over yourself.) We agreed that one could be made and it turned out better than I could have imagined. Within hours they had constructed a small hut from a few wooden branches and a thick straw that they arranged in a spiral- allowing entry and coverage. It's super cause I don't live in a round mud hut with straw roofing like everyone else so I get my babyC and hut too. Oh - but no roof - so free surround star viewing.

I have a lot of windows - front and back - east and west - so the round sun goes up and down in view. The sun down is different - it is misty because the harmaton winds are coming. That is what I bought that big purple sweater for (at the last moment) - we will see just how cold the mornings are. And everything should be covered with dust until Feb or March.

FANICE

2007-11-02T14:19:00.000-04:00

I have never spoken of this favorite of mine! It is an iced delicacy in a small bag - (just like the pure water) - you chew off the corner of the bag and suck. My usual is fanchoco - the iced chocolate milk one. There is a Vanilla one that has the texture of ice cream but there is a weird artificial taste in that one. Then there is a Strawberry Yogurt one which is great for a snack. Oh - and Tapioca which is found in the North. Yum. They don't sell them in the village I am living in except today when there was a guy with a bike cooler (I guess he knew it was Halloween). But I get them on Thursdays and Fridays. The price just went up - 40 cents now.

Pictures! (go to site for better slideshow without effects)

2007-11-02T14:09:00.000-04:00

My Private Shoebox

Halloween/ Day of the Dead

2007-11-01T14:25:00.000-04:00

I dressed as a Ghanaian Seventh Day Adventist School Girl (borrowing my sister's school uniform dress & shoes) with a small lunch canteen and a Big Knife (like a Macheti - because students will sometimes weed the grass around the school). The village thought this was absolutely the funniest thing. They wanted me to display my grass cutting skills, which made them double over in hysteric laughter- they could hardly speak they were laughing so hard... I loved carrying the large "weapon" around because it added a horror element to me but was "normal" to people here. I told them I was dressing up for the American Holiday and they seemed to understand that very well. I went to the big town and got a lot of double takes. They were so confused! Some people would ask where I was a student, others were speechless and some would make noises of disbelief. One told me that if I am wearing that I need to go to school. I think I have done well. I am glad I decided on it instead of the group Latrine, Guinea Fowl or Mosquito Net Dress idea.

Another good costume was a girl who dressed as Diarrhea. She made a foam hat butt and stuck a brown sheet in it that draped over the back of her head like a veil.

A Side Note - The other day my sister was carrying an ax on her head to farm. It was hanging down in such a way that any sudden move would send it shooting into the back of her neck.

Another Side Note - 'That Is Fine' and 'You have Done Well' are common phrases I hear on a daily basis, especially when I sweep.

Magical Juju Show

2007-10-31T14:23:00.000-04:00

There was a man who danced into my home area with a troop of clapping kids. He wore red shorts and funny knee high running socks. His face was painted with white streaks. He said there would be a magic show in the evening that will go late. He said he knew Magic. He pranced away and I was so happy because it was halloween! I started to arrange going when my father said no no - it is JuJu - you cannot go, it is dangerous. How sad I was!

To cheer me up my mother brought me Cream Savers that Alicia #1 had given them which reminded me of the fine Tolberone Chocolate I had purchased in Germany as a gift for them on the way here. So we ate it all and told stories by lantern while the electricity went on and off. There was one strange story my sisters couldn't stop laughing about for some reason. A man was walking in the dark (all the lights had gone out) and a small boy climbed a tree and threw rocks at the man, causing him to bleed. They agreed it was also a sad story but the element of surprise seemed hilarious I guess? I think there was more to the story.

The Feast Show

2007-10-31T14:16:00.000-04:00

We had a feast today that felt like the show Top Chef. For some reason we had a cooking afternoon where we were all in 3 person teams with 3 to one site. Two judges watched the whole time to monitor our progress and then 5 Taste testers came for the final tasting.

My team went with the local favorite and made fried yam and kentumari (coco yam leaf) with stew (ground up aketewe which is some kind of seed that is delicious, tomato, onion, ginger, pepper, egg). At the last moment I decided it would be a great pasta sauce and boiled up some spaghetti. Popcorn was made after that.

Another team made a fajita concoction and tortillas which was quite tasty. The last team in our area made a tuna melt with a fruit salad and ice cream a la mode which was a very challenging choice but a slam dunk. I drank the leftovers from the fruit salad and people thought it was strange which I thought was strange which in turn was strange they said.

Ghana Tummy

2007-10-28T14:14:00.000-04:00

October 24-28

Finally I got it. It isn't nice. There are a couple versions. I got the gaseous gurgly one. I seem to be better today but will keep eating rice and bread until I know for sure. Oh - I did cave in and had a piece of Laughing Cow cheese. I forgot about that for a moment. It was great.

My Future Home

2007-10-27T14:13:00.000-04:00

I found out some stuff on the Trip - I actually saw a picture. It is Yellow. I have a rare deal - It is a government house not built for living in but they don't use it. There are two rooms for me. Then there is a big huge room that is not mine but is not used so I will probably be able to use it. Exciting. There is a nice veranda that connects all the rooms. There are fans that don't work because there is no electricity. The biggest dam in the region and a river is nearby. Will find out more next week.

Field Trip, The North

2007-10-24T14:11:00.000-04:00

October 20-24

The North feels good. We may have been making it all up but as our Tro went further North we felt the sun get better and the people nicer. The huts are round and pointy, people ride nice looking bicycles, it is more relaxed and less congested than the south, the land is flatter, still green at the moment but more like the plateau you might imagine here. It's Muslim but the women barley cover their heads and wear the most beautiful looking head scarves. Some of the most fashionable looking people... When we went to greet the chiefs everybody squats and claps while saying greetings. Tamale has sidewalks for bicycles too.

A Hot Cold

2007-10-17T15:38:00.001-04:00

The weather is getting hotter and we are all getting colds. I've been feeling ship shape, especially compared to others, but today my throats a bit itchy and my head a float. Language class was under a Cashew Tree today, my favorite, they have sticks to hold the branches up. I learned today that there is no word for purple in Dagbani! Wula?

Puumaaya

Papua New Guinea "Let's Chew Again"

Somaliland

G-Kenya

Village Update

Year of the Tiger

Kickstarter

Article on my work.

WhatTookYouSoLong.org

Bye, But I'll Be Back

Village Bicycle Project

Marvellous Studio

Village Premiere

Doing the Splits

Subtitling

My Urban Migration

Bon Appetit.

Burkina Faso Film Festival

The Big Movie : Hilariousness & a Type of Confusion

The Big Movie : Utter Fear and Hilariousness

The Big Movie

Organic Mangos & Integrated Tamale Fruit Company

Hooray for The USA

Miss Scarlet with the rope in the Dining Room

Way to Go.

PRO-Choice

Mobile Movie Making Bike Ride

Cheap Flights!

we went to KAYAAYO

A YEAR

RAMADAN

New Danish Collaborators

Youth Forum 2008

I Bee Busy

Will's Women

Poo Like A Lady

Vienetta

*Action*

KAYAYO SHORT Part 1 & 2

The F word.

The Curse on The Generator

Deaf Dreams of Art

For the Love of Cheese

Barak-O

Traveling Circus

Festival au Desert (Mali)

Is it a Hurricane? No, it's just "the Rain."

In-Service-Training

The Rain is Coming, The Rain is Coming

Under Pressure

Peas & Carrots

Witches & Wizards Camp

Bolgatanga "Live Art" Project

Celebrity

Watch HIV/ AIDS Video for Competition, 10 minutes

Old Photo

Radio Reception

Local Bed

My Room (Messy)

Baobab

My House

Kari On Swing

Cyclops (ingest to get Guinea Worm)

Attack of the Killer Cyclops & The Dance of the Filters

Super Star

Non Government Organizations

Abdulai

Abdulai-bla (small who resembles his father)

The Youth Clans

Happy Stomach

Total Dissolution

Guniea Worm Photos

25

Tomorrow Is My Birthday - I will be A Quarter

Fire Fire Everywhere

The Sea Ride

Swing!

The Famous Village

The Dancing Horse

Dancing Dances

Action