Planes and people

Earlier in our one of our blogs we shared an experience with getting a picture of the coast line and the Gulf of Guinea. We don’t understand it but getting pictures of things that have anything to do with the Government is Verboten; taboo. However, we feel like there is something missing when we talk about all the people we pick up at and take to the airport that we felt driven to show a picture of the airport. Not then knowing the restriction, we took pictures when we first arrived but we haven’t since then…until today. The airport is only about 5 km from our apartment so when we went to pick up the Public Affairs couple – Pages this morning at 7:20 am we decided to take some pictures. They have told us about times they took pictures and had people come yelling at them and wanting to take their cameras. We only got two good pictures but we wanted you to see what takes a fair amount of our time. Taking pictures while you are moving and from inside the car can give interesting results. The airport is about the size of a regional airport. It reminds me of the Colorado Springs Airport in size however no plane connects to a terminal via a jetway. All planes are boarded or deplaned using a rolling staircase. As was the case when we arrived as well as when the visiting General Authorities arrived a couple weeks ago. However, they did arrive through the VIP area. A far cry from what a VIP would get in the US but definitely a step up from the run-of-the-mill passenger.

The next picture is actually the entrance to the arrival area where we go to wait for the people coming through security and immigration.

The Ghanaian people, and from what we hear, people of other African countries are deeply religious. On our way to Church each Sunday we pass many people dressed very nicely and walking down dirt roads to their church services. We must pass a couple dozen churches along the way. Some are proper buildings but most are tent-type structures or even out doors meetings. They also are not afraid to express their feelings and you will see religious statements and phrases on their vehicles and buildings.

Today is Ghana’s 54th Independence day. It was March 6, 1957 when they got their independence from Britain. We only got one picture of their preparation for this celebration as we have not ventured toward Independence Square since our last experience in that area. But if you go back to the prior blog labeled “Trip without a map” you will see a picture of Independence Square. This second picture is of the Max Mart, one of the stores where we purchase groceries. Grocery stores are not very plentiful. We shop at about the only four in the area.

Last, thank you for all your prayers and faith in our behalf. We are learning our responsibilities quickly, and Gordon recovered from his bout with malaria quickly. It amounted to a feeling like the flu. He was pretty ill for 2-3 days, and weak for a couple more, but is fine now.