I
hope today’s blog post will give you a flavor of what I am experiencing, here
in Damongo, Ghana. It is mainly a
compilation of photos for you to enjoy.
One
Sunday afternoon, we took a short safari at Mole National Forest – which is a
quick 20 minute car ride from Damongo.
Most everyone who visits Mole will pass through Damongo on their way.
We
saw 12 elephants – one of which came very close to charging us. We started following an elephant down the
road. He stopped to eat at a tree. Suddenly we realized there was a second, much
larger elephant, with tusks, following us!
We were sandwiched between two elephants! The larger one kept coming toward us, ears
wagging and he sounded his trumpet. We
ran into the bush, at the guides demand.
The guide had his rifle ready to shoot in to the air to scare the
elephant, when the elephant himself, veered off the road into the bush. We scrambled to our vehicles, having had a
very exciting, yet scary few minutes.
As
our safari continued, we saw a number of other elephants. Three teenage elephants at a water whole,
some adult elephants, one taking a dip in the water while two others just
having a drink. We also drove right past
an elephant whose hind feet seemed to be a bit stuck in the mud. A second
elephant was in the trees coming to his rescue – again, we drove out of there
quickly!
At
Mole, we also saw various types of monkeys,
antelope, wart hogs, and baboons.
Here
are some photos which show what everyday life looks like in and around Damongo.
Road to SAGISS |
It
is dry and very bumpy and we must go ever so slowly. What would normally take 2-3 minutes to drive
in United States takes us 18 minutes down this road. Supposedly it is worse in rainy season! I can imagine getting stuck…. We also meet huge trucks carrying gravel,
logs and people – somewhat surprisingly, they are Mercedes Benz.
Young boys selling chickens on side of road
Sheep walking freely through town
This is Isaac - my faithful phone guy.
He
sells me Vodafone minutes so I can be in touch with family and friends! His stand is right next to the bank where I
get Ghana currency. He is a very nice 22 year-old young man who is
patient with this older, American woman who doesn’t know much about how things
work in Ghana – or how phones work in general – right Joe and Paul???!
Street vendor in Damongo selling used shoes.
Huge piles of shoes!
Father on motorcycle with his three sons.
Common sight seeing either multiple people or large loads on
motorcycles. Seeing a baby strapped to his momma’s back while she drives a
motorcycle is also common.
Young men hanging out at the petrol station where we were airing our tires
before trip to Tamale.
Three girls at the Tamale market
One side street at Tamale market
SAGISS girl carrying items on head to Dining Hall after cleaning the Teachers
lounge one evening after classes.
Goats sitting atop tractor in SAGISS compound
Pigs wandering the SAGISS compound
I
hope you enjoyed the photos of everyday life in Damongo! I am doing fine! Keep me in your prayers! God bless you. The adventure continues……
Hi Diane! It's been so fun reading your blog and looking at all of your pictures! I am so glad that you are safe and you seem really happy!
ReplyDeleteHi Julie! Yes, things are coming along fine. I miss you and the Cathedral folks, but there is no doubt in my mind, God has called me here.
DeleteHi Michelle! Yes, I am enjoying my time here so many bew experiences! Thanks for the prayers!
ReplyDelete