Thursday, February 5, 2009

Another successful week!

Ok, well I will talk about the photos (the videos will not post with the given internet service. . .will try in Bolga when we are there next. Sorry.).

Toby from Cooper Union visited to check on arrangements for when the students come this summer. It was really nice to see him, but unfortunately he only spent one full day in Bongo, and much of that time he was caught up in meetings that I was not privileged to attend. BUT, we did go to the lab and wash some containers for him to bring some water back to KNUST in Kumasi. The normal band of children showed up at the borehole to watch, plus some extras since there were sooo many white people there (four of us) and there was water being splashed around. It was really funny to watch these kids. . .they really make me laugh.

The next set of photos is of Mo holding a baby lamb.

The photo below is of two children in the Beo area who were playing their drums for us while we worked. The drums are really pretty cool: modeled after the local style but constructed from “trash” items. I really love them, I wish I had enough luggage space to have them make me one to bring home! (The other photo I included because I was not in any of the pictures this time around). The video that follows is of them playing the drums, typical rhythms that are heard not only when biking around, but also in the local music that is played on the radio.

As for everything else, just working really hard is all. Below I have included a map of Bongo areas (also referred to as “governances”), so that you all can appreciate how hard we are working. We have completed Soe (pronounced: Soo-oy), Namoo (pronounced: Nah-mo-oy), Bongo (pronounced: Bohn-goh. . .the Os are long), and Beo (pronounced: Bee-yoh). On Monday we will sample all of Balungu (pronounced: Bah-loong-goo) leaving only two governances to go. Yea.


3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow! I had no idea what a large area you're working. It's amazing you're getting so much done.

Unknown said...

awesome guys. Now it really looks like you are starting to have some fun. Petting lambs, playing with kids in the streets, getting sampling done.

You should use down time to practice drumming amd maybe some lyrical stylings, poetry jam style.

Unknown said...

Hey! Sometimes I get a little emotional looking at your blog. Your pictures are amazing and I wish I were there with you guys. You two are an inspiration! Katie, I remember you telling Jesse and I about Africa and future plans while on the bike trip. Well, you have made it happen and will treasure this memory forever. Keep up the good work!