“Where there is no imagination there is no horror.”
The cold is back. The days are autumn cool, but the nights are downright chilly, blanket on the bed chilly. Yesterday was so windy yellow oak leaves now dot the deck and the lawn is hidden under pine needles. Some trees along the roads are down to bare branches. They look desolate. They look like winter.
Once in a while a memory from Ghana pops into my head. Today I remembered the Chinese restaurant, the only one in the city back then. It was a long way from the center of town. Taxi rides used to cost only 20 pesewas no matter where in the city of Accra you wanted to go, but the Chinese restaurant was a cedi away, a whole 100 pesewas. It doesn’t sound like much money but for us it was.
The restaurant seating was mostly outside. The tables had real tablecloths, and the Ghanaian waiters wore short black jackets over white shirts which made the restaurant seem fancier than it was. The Chinese food was different but it was delicious. For some reason I remember a lot of peas and fried rice.
We never celebrated Halloween in Ghana. The volunteers in my region were spread thinly, and we didn’t get together much as the travel time was too long, and we were teaching. My only acknowledgments of the holiday were some Halloween cards my mother had sent. They were on display on my bookcase. My students, who would often visit in the evening, checked them out and wanted to know what Halloween was. I tried to describe it. They were most impressed with the trick or treat and candy part.
On Halloween there was a knock at my door. Three of my students were there and they yelled, “Trick or treat,” when I opened the door. Luckily I had peppermint candies which I offered. Each of my students took one, said, “Thank you, madam,” then left. Halloween was over.
Explore posts in the same categories: MusingsTags: Accra, chinese food, Ghana, Halloween, Trick-or-treating
Both comments and pings are currently closed.
keepthecoffeecoming.blog 
October 30, 2010 at 9:38 am
Rather nice and warm over here today, but the sun never managed to shine through the clouds. Rain is supposed to arrive later tonight.
Halloween celebration has never been something big over here and now statistics shows that this year was even worse for those selling things for Halloween. They sell 20% less this year it seems.
I got one Halloween card this year and it is my first ever 🙂 and it was posted in Salem too 🙂
Happy Halloween!
Christer.
October 30, 2010 at 9:52 pm
Christer,
It was a windy and only warm when the wind stopped. The weather is going to stay cold.
Halloween is second only to Christmas in sales here. Houses are decorated and some even have lights. It’s a fun time of year.
October 30, 2010 at 3:18 pm
I can’t remember what year here, but there was a year when parents gave up the trick or treat outings. Everyone went to the elementary school or high school for Halloween fun. It had to do with people reporting razor blades in apples and toxic candy. Remember back when? I can’t put a year date on it but we didn’t get the word and stocked up on candy that lasted us through the following summer.
October 30, 2010 at 9:55 pm
Z&Me,
I remember when that happened and most of the towns decided to do something. Here, stores on Main Street have a day for trick or treating but kids still come to the houses.