I’ve been working on getting settled, ‘playing house,’ making my two rooms feel, well not like a cement holding cell… I’ve luckily got a bed, double bed (non of this sleeping on a single anymore) with my mosquito net (more my safety net from bugs, rodents, amphibians, and other critters that might try to make their way in) hovering just above my bed (its pretty comical as I tuck my mosquito net in at night, making sure that my little haven is all secure). My bed is tucked in the far right corner to allow for the most room. I’ve so far had two bookshelves made (I gave the guy a picture of what I wanted, and he went with what he wanted… at least it keeps my things from being on the ground.) I’ve put one bookshelf up against the wall at the end of my bed and the other sits next to my bed underneath my teeny, tiny window (I’m thinking I’m going to have another one punched out of the cement to allow for more light and air flow). I was given four plastic chairs (they are a prized item in Ghana) that have the Swastika drawn into them (pleasant) all stacked in the other corner (not really where I want to hang out… sitting in plastic chairs in this heat… fun).

My kitchen is a little more ‘set up’ so to say. My supervisor made sure that I had a propane stove and tank waiting for me as I moved to Kute (thank goodness). My stove sits on a table that was here when I arrived on the right side of the room, and across from it on the left I have a smaller table that is holding all my dry foods. I’ve been keeping everything in zip lock bags (and some items doubled bagged), and then in a plastic container, but some how the ants still seem to find their way in (extra protein, right?)

In Ghana there are no kitchens (well maybe in the cities, but where I’m living, I’m probably the only person to have an actual kitchen, and I should more call it a stove room, as there is only a stove and a shelf for food… no kitchen sink, no cabinets, no counters, no oven, no microwave, refrigerator, or dishwasher.) I’m thinking (and more going to act upon it soon) of getting a refrigerator. Cooking has been thus far great (as I love to cook for my self) but it’s a project… huge project… overwhelmingly huge project. I can only cook an amount that I know I can eat right then and there. I can’t really store leftovers, and throwing out food… well I just don’t have a system down of where it can go and such (although the roaming goats I’m sure will love it). And making big messes… well again I can’t just turn on the water and wash everything, or throw it in the dishwasher now can I? This is like glorified camping… using water sparsely, bathing with river water, trying to keep the critters out, and always (yes I mean ALWAYS) smelling. This is the life.

I can’t complain with the bucket bath though. I mean running water is amazing… but a bucket bathing is amazing in it’s own way. The stars are usually out at night, last week was a full moon, and who can go wrong with bathing outside under a full moon in the tropics of Ghana? I was given a water heater (and yes it is hot… very hot here in Ghana… but having a warm bath just makes me feel that much cleaner… and remember I’m probably not going to be ‘clean’ in two or so years.)

I have my own latrine… all for me, myself and all the critters that have found their way there. Latrines are again not that common in rural communities… most people defecate somewhere in the bush (very, very bad) and they urinate wherever, whenever… pleasant.