Random snaps from life in Tamale

We thought we’d pop a few snapshots here, to show a representation of some aspects of our life in Tamale. The VSO volunteers gather together twice a year to review “things”. This group shot at a local restaurant shows the volunteers who are working in the Northern Region of Ghana. Biggest disappointment of the meeting was that the “pizza was finished”….

Many of you would know that Mark is an avid cyclist. His used Chinese reject bike here is a far cry from the carbon fibre machines favoured by his lycra clad mates in Perth. Note optional extras on this model, which include a front basket (perfect for shopping), the kickstand (highly recommended for you, Brenton), dynamo powered light for those early morning rides and pack rack on the back for extra food. Also note this is a “fixi” model (single gear set).

Mark, sporting new haircut, demonstrates our Sunday washing technique. We work from opposite ends (Mark on blue bowl, Mar on beige). Green and Red buckets are for first and second rinse cycles. Total washing time per week – under two hours (excludes drying time).

When cycling gets a little difficult, there is always the option of catching the local transport. This sight occurs outside of our home every Saturday morning. Note that the women passengers are “safely” ensconsed inside the truck….

A happy snap modeling the latest in Tamale fashion. It would be difficult to pick us from locals, we know…

Mar enjoying our favorite local lunch spot, which we fondly refer to as our “garden café”. Note the food preparation area is the small blue building on the right (background). We enjoy a serve of jollof rice with a boiled egg in a tomato based sauce, plus the obligatory coke for the Mar several days of the working week. Total expenditure, 3 Ghana cedis, 50 peshwa (about $3 AUD).

Mar “on the job” conducting an interview with an aspiring athlete. Go the girls! Part of our job involves contributing a few articles each month to RUMNET’s newspaper – the Advocate. We are trying to add some human interest stories to complement the development issues that we are normally focused on…..

Small children at women’s day festival, obviously enjoying themselves!