“I have a trunk containing continents.”
I never much mention the news. I figure we all get enough of it, but I was taken with the President’s speech formally acknowledging the death of Osama Bin Laden. I immediately had two reactions. One was gladness and relief, but the other was the memory of the Hydra. That last one scares me.
Today is much like yesterday: warm in the sun and chilly in the shade. It’s a typical spring day on Cape Cod. Leaves have finally appeared on many of the trees, and they’re a light green like new leaves always are. Only the oak trees are far behind with their tiny buds. The birds sing every morning, and peepers are getting louder at night. The sights and sounds of summer are getting closer.
The world is so much smaller now. Hopping a plane is no big deal. People take it as a matter of fact. Gone are the suits and dresses of the old time travelers. Comfort is more important. I, who have traveled to so many places, still get excited no matter where I’m going. It’s the anticipation. I buy new clothes, read travel books, decide what I want to see and where I might stay, but I always leave room for the unexpected. That’s the best part of any trip.
I’m already excited about Ghana. I’ve bought my new clothes, have read travel books and been roaming on line. My friend Ralph said it will be so different and yet still the same. He’s right. In my memory are sights and smells I expect to meet again, and I can hardly wait until my first market day. I know Accra is enormous now, and Bolga is much bigger than it was, but the small villages and the family compounds appear to be the same. My mouth is watering in anticipation of my first taste of kelewele and of Guinea fowl covered in red pepper and wrapped in fresh Ghanaian bread. I wish my trip was tomorrow.
Explore posts in the same categories: MusingsTags: Africa, anticipation, kelewele, spring, travel
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May 2, 2011 at 11:50 am
Hi Kat,
That particular Hydra grew extra heads long before he was cut down. We’ve been dealing more with them than with him the last few years. I have to admit a lack of any feeling for this news. It was too long in coming. The lack of a body leaves it open for conspiracy theories to flourish.
I’m getting excited about your trip to Ghana, too. I have no wish to go there but it’s fun reading about your plans and memories and your anticipation at seeing what’s new and what has stayed the same.
Sunny and lovely up here right now. Just the right temperature and a gentle breeze. The black walnuts have not leafed out yet either. They wake up late with the oaks.
Have a great day.
May 2, 2011 at 5:05 pm
Hi Caryn,
A hydra always has heads. They just keep growing them, but we owed this head its demise.
Next up is light luggage. The set I have is already heavy even empty. I also need a yellow fever shot and anti-malarial drugs. Every time I write about it I get more excited.
We made it to 60° today.
May 2, 2011 at 1:50 pm
The Hydra was what I was thinking about this morning when I heard the news too I´m afraid. But it might be that things finally calm down, I do hope so!
I usually doesn´t like the journey to the place I´ll visit, but love it when I´m finally there 🙂 🙂 But when I´m finally there I usually rents a car and drives around long distances to see as much as possible outside the tourist traps 🙂
The oaks re late here too. All other trees haS leafs now but not the oaks, except for the ones I have in pots 🙂
Have a great day!
Christer.
May 2, 2011 at 5:07 pm
Christer,
I doubt that they will calm down though I am usually optimistic. Some how there will be revenge.
When I drive, I like to see the unfamiliar countryside, but when I fly, I like to read and sleep. The sleeping makes the ride seem shorter.
Oaks like a long winter I guess.
May 2, 2011 at 2:23 pm
I’m not celebrating, but …
“I’ve never wished a man dead, but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure.” ~Mark Twain
May 2, 2011 at 5:07 pm
s,
That is a perfect quote for the occasion!
May 2, 2011 at 3:41 pm
So the Donald is harassing the President of the United States over his birth certificate while the President is making a huge decision to drop the helicopters into the middle of Pakistan.
Trump blows – he should go back to selling cheap mattresses and getting his comb over right.
Now wait for all the lies coming out of Pakistan.
May 2, 2011 at 5:09 pm
My Dear Hedley,
I can’t even begin to wonder how Pakistan will play this one given how many of their troops were in that town as well as their version of West Point. From everything I read, the house was a fortress, a mcmansion in the middle of town. It seems no one moved in or out, but nope, it wasn’t suspicious.
May 2, 2011 at 4:24 pm
Kat, I have a suggestion. Use Google Maps to zoom right down into the areas in Africa that you are most familiar with. That way, you won’t be quite as surprised as to how the lay of the land and the streets/buildings have changed. I think it could set you up for better navigation when you’re there. Also, are you going to take a GPS with maps loaded for that region? It might behoove you to do so. Just my thinkin’.
Pax, Rick
May 2, 2011 at 5:03 pm
Rick,
I did that in Bolga and was able to find my school by following the road out of town. The lorry park has moved and the outskirts are further out, but I was able to find many landmarks from my time.
As for Accra, that is a great idea as I don’t remember where all the areas are where I used to walk. Taxis. though, are pretty cheap as even back then I could take them.
May 2, 2011 at 5:23 pm
Hydra is right. This war isn’t near to over. And a more sophisticated group will now reign. I bet. Keep those advisories from State close to your trip.
May 3, 2011 at 9:29 pm
Z&Me,
I’ll keep an eye on the advisories, but I can’t see Ghana as a hotbed of terrorism. I loved it when my seamstress would tell me to come on Tuesday for my dress. I would and then she’d say, “Less tomorrow,” which meant tomorrow and tomorrow and on and on.