Ilaria Mazzoleni, the architect of our studio here in Ghana, shot this video.  By the way, she also took most of the photos too.  The video is about 4 minutes long and is streaming on Google Video.

please cut and paste the complete line of code (blue and black) into your browser.  do not click, you'll get an error.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-254303061248187173

hey y'all, we're back and have uploaded a bunch of photos documenting the construction of our studio beach house.  check out the new photos.  more to come.

This is our sixth week in Ghana and our first real opportunity to log on to this blog.  Internet cafe's are slooooooooooooow and often down in the Takeradi region we are in.  When we return we will upload photos and more.

We are living with no electricity (or any utilitiles for that matter), water is drawn from a well, and we get large quantities of filtered water from town.  It is like camping. No, correction, it IS camping.  Swordfish, snapper, squid and lobster are staple fish (though we rarely eat lobster).  A pit is dug, filled with dried coconut hulls and set on fire for a wonderful BBQ. Otherwise we cook on the neighbor's (James and Angela, building a beach lodge)propane gas burner, 

The studio now has had the first application of clay and the roof is up.  The plumber just finished placing pipes and we start building our water tower this week.  Things are moving fast, it took 12 men to throw the clay for the walls, then 4 masons will come and plaster it with cement.  If we stray from the building area for more than 4 hours something is bound to change that is not part of the plan.  So, one of us is on site all the time, supervising and lending a hand.  We are using all local building materials in a contemporary design, many villagers come by and just stare at our structure.  It has become the the place to cruise on a sunday afternoon with you mates, pointing and laughing.  Building in a developing nation has it own unique problems.  This is a serious education. 

We are able to get away on weekends, check in to a proper hotel with electricity and hot running water.  Heaven.  But don't get me wrong, the whole experience of being enveloped in nature is quite satisfying.  No regrets. 

All for now.  Much love.

Todd and Kyungmi

Today is our first outing to the city, Takorati. Takorati is the third largest city in Ghana, second largest port. The market center here is bustling with energy with lots of internet cafes. The circular market inside is a maze of little stores selling everything from fish to mangos to shoes to fabric. First time I saw the market in january, I thought of a movie scene where some crazy western spy running away from the villain through the market wrecking a havoc. Ah, my corrupted imagination! It's great to be back and feel comfortable with the chaos surrounding the market. We are now staying at our neighbor's, James and Angela's unfinished lodge, Safari Beach Lodge, located next to our land. First night was difficult, awake at 3 AM and afraid to venture outside the mosquito net feeling imprisoned by the mosquitos. After two days, we are slowing down to the pace of life here. We are starting to talk to people who will work with us in building. It will be a big learning process for us.

We arrived last night in Accra.  Today was the soccer match between Ghana and the US that decided which team would advance to the next level.  Ghana won!!!  The streets were filled with people dancing and celebrating.  A lot of joy in the air, and it's fantastic to watch the  impromptu carnival.  Tomorrow we head off to Akiwadaa where we will start building our studio.  Akwikdaa is 6 hours road trip from Accra in the coastal area near Takorati.  Akwidaa is a small fishing village where we have no electricity and plumbing.  We will have solar power and compost toilet. 

Todd and I are busily wrapping things up.  Here are our contact infos while we're gone.  We will be checking our emails about once a week.  We both will have cell phones, but the best way to contact us might be to text-message us on our cell phone number since our connection is very spotty.  

 Emails: kmshin2000@yahoo.com,  toddgray23@yahoo.com

Cell#1: 011-233-027-629-6848 (cell #2 will be posted when we get it there.)

James & ANgela's Cell#: 011-233 277 723 274 (We're staying with them, our next door neighbor)

Green Turtle Lodge: Tom and Jo (10 minutes from us) have radio phone which has regular connection.  Can leave a message there for us.  011-233-031-26-28-2