akwaaba!

Secetry informed me a German man will be coming next Saturday to live in the house.

"Has he ever been to Africa?" i asked.

"No, never."

"and he's coming here first? or is he staying in Accra for a while and then coming?"

"he will arrive at the airport and make his way up here. why?"

i was trying to put myself in the German man's shoes. the experience of transportation, and the house, and the village, and the roommates was strange enough even with my prior time spent here, i can't imagine what it will be like for him being "fresh". this is going to be really funny. i hope he has a good sense of humor. and if he doesn't at least i do.

my roommates aren't excited, which really surprised me. i thought Ghanaians were hospitable to everyone. after a long after dinner talk i deduced they didn't want a Germani bema living in the house, and that they wouldn't invite him to eat with us, ever. they would go to bed early so they wouldn't have to talk with him, and make him fetch his own water.

i was appalled.

"you are mean."

no one knew what mean meant, and Collins wasn't around to translate.

"that is bad." i said instead.

they all started laughing and pounding the table. they thought it was hilarious.

i liked seeing this other side of them. i knew i wasn't a tourist. i wasn't seeing the big smile and arms wide open. i was witnessing family talk around the kitchen table, and i decided to be the perfect daughter.

"well, when he comes i will be nice to him. what room is he sleeping in?"

they all pointed at the door in the corner.

"ohhhhhhh, you are really mean!" i couldn't hold back laughing. it was the only room in the house completely inundated with mosquitoes. if you walk in and look closely, little bloody carcasses are smashed up against the wall, after having buzzed in some body's ear a little too long. i wasn't sure who slept there now, different people walked out every other morning.

poor guy. from what i am imagining he is going to have an interesting first week.

i can hardly imagine the boys holding back their hospitality. its as much a part of them as their toenails. or at least i think it is. i guess i'll just have to wait and find out...

"Secetry? Does the health clinic sell mosquito nets?"

"Yes Kessy, we do."

"Where would i go to buy wrapping paper?"

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