Our first update

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