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Following Your Curiosity

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Following Your Curiosity Written by: Mamoon Khpal Photos by: Mamoon Khpal Edited by: Oliver Sage Since arriving in Bolgatanga towards the end of April, the stifling heat has begun to give way to the Rainy Season. There is now a spring in the air surrounding the centre of town. Lush green pastures have replaced the sweeping desert sand which consumed us on our arrival, and the trees are blooming in equal measure. The large leaves from roadside trees are useful protection against bouts of heat or heavy rain appearing at the most inconvenient times. A few weeks ago I popped into Rain Inn Supermarket to collect a large pot of delicious Cowbell Coffee, and on the way home torrential rainfall struck me motionless beneath a tree. This was to the amusement of a few Yellow-Yellow drivers who asked between GHc 5-10 for the 10-minute walk home. This chaos in Bolga has been no detriment to my tenacious curiosity. Of the places I discovered during my saunters, the most unique was T...
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Week 8 - Becoming local celebrities and questionable dancers… Mid-term complete and here we are with just over a month left in Bolgatanga. So far we are feeling accomplished with many activities completed but there is still much more to do and we are busy working away in the office. It has been an interesting rainy season; apart from the odd day of rain the temperature is still ridiculously hot and dry (apparently this is abnormal for this time of year). People may say you acclimatise but as I understand it, all that means is you become rather accustomed to consistently damp clothing and a shiny forehead, or in my case a sunburnt one. Tip to any girls – leave your make up at home, it is a waste of luggage weight that could be much better spent on British snacks (We have also come to realise we all have a rather deep obsession with food). URA Radio Session speaking about BICAF, Fair Trade and the importance to Bolgatanga ...
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Rest In Pieces, Pizza

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So here we are week 6 – half way through. Work continues apace, we have hosted our first Bolgatanga International Craft & Arts Fair (BICAF) Steering Committee meeting, and the ticks on our to-do-list are increasing. I’m still flabbergasted that we are half way through already; it barely feels like we’ve arrived! Still we’re all into the swing of things and the rhythm of life in Bolga, and some have even (slightly) adjusted to the heat. Our Fra-fra still needs work judging from the merriment that ensues when we use it. Some words you pick up quicker than others “Solmia” was one we got quickly – when a kid sees you, there is a chorus of “Helloaa Solmia!” accompanied with rapid waving – it means you’re white, which is useful in case you forget. The Bolga Brigade Work wise we divided into Marketing, Research, and Admin subgroups and are rotating between them, divide and conquer and all that. Some of the highlights so far: we’ve contacted a shedload of sponsors, renewed the con...
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Banter in Bolga

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Mine and Winner's host home/mansion Firstly we would like to rejoice in the fact that the heat has calmed down – it is now only 35 degrees, basically the North Pole this morning*. In a somewhat Jon Snow-esque manner I will simply say, ‘Rain is Coming’. Despite having developed a permanent musky smell due to the sweat (yes, that is as delightful as it sounds), we remain well and healthy. I am also pleased to inform you that we have all become social butterflies over the past three weeks. This was primarily achieved through the introduction to our host families. We have been living with them for two weeks now, and everyone is very welcoming and friendly; Winner and I love sitting and relaxing with our family in the courtyard section of our house (which has been dubbed the mansion – what else would befit two princesses – no seriously, last week I was referred to as a Ghanaian princess). Matt and Elle introducing themselves to the Yebo...
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