The Euphoria

I stand up at the perfect time, because the bench I was sitting on just moments ago is hoisted up above someone's head as they run into the street. Two elderly gentlement climb the metal facade of the electronics store we are crowded around, shaking the walls and bringing the shops tin roof to a loud rattle. The rattle can scarce be heard among the screaming of the people, however, and in an instant the streets fill with children, women, elders and shopkeepers. We are celebrating a goal Ghana has scored against the Czech Republic in just the second minute of play. It has been the earliest goal scored in the 2006 World Cup, and Ghana's first in World Cup history.

Ghanaians can hardly believe what they have witnessed; Ghana is ranked #48 in the world against the #2 Czechs.

After the first goal, almost everyone in town crowds around the few stores which have televisions. Ghana's national broadcaster, GTV, can be picked up by any antennae, making it very easy to receive the signals live from Germany.

The next 90 minutes proves as exciting, with Ghana getting many more chances and dominating most of the game. The final result was 2-0 for Ghana; which went against all odds and predictions. The streets filled with people through the rest of the night, and the party would last for several more hours.

Just when I thought the streets of Tamale could not be more lively, more stunning for the senses, or more fascinating, Ghana blanks the Czechs, and the relative chaos in which these streets operate on a normal basis seem calm in comparison.


















I hope you will join me in cheering on Ghana in the FIFA World Cup for the remainder of the tournament.

The rains

Bowls, used to collect water, do laundry, mix TZ, and any other possible purpose, are used to collect the water runoff from the roof. After a quick rinse, and getting rid of the first few inches which collect the dust, we begin dumping the bowls into the bins we use for storage


The drums collect large portions of rainwater

These rusted drums which sustain us once transported or stored crude oil






The shade of the date tree in my compound provides ideal nap conditions