We arrived at Eva and Nathaniel’s before 7:00am. Richmond wanted to drop by and record one more Bible story before school started. Mercy also stepped up to the microphone and carefully told her remaining Bible story before heading off to classes. The rest of the morning we wrapped up loose ends, planned for future work, and enjoyed conversation with Eva and Nathaniel. After a few lapel microphone tests with the handheld recorder, Enoch and Christian were ready to record the community health tracks on a later trip. Unfortunately, we could not arrange for a medical worker to provide Bimoba health information during our short stay in Bunkpurugu – Christian and Enoch will have to follow-up and record information on malaria, typhoid, diarrhea, cholera, AIDs, etc.
Before leaving, we posed for some pictures with Eva and Nathan and dropped by the tailor’s shop. Daniel’s workshop is a small round adobe hut with a thatched roof. Bare-chested and with a yellow tape measure draped over his shoulder, Daniel waved me inside. Yesterday, I had dropped off two batik fabrics we had purchased last October. Holding the tape measure between my shoulders and then from neck to waist, the experienced tailor had sized me up yesterday… no chest measurement, no arm length, just a quick height and width check. I wondered if he had a mental database of body types. Maybe I was filed under “goofy thin nerd.. The two measurements would just provide an index to look me up. Daniel proudly showed me his original design. For less than $4.50, Daniel had sewn me a shirt. Beth had a tiered skirt made for $2.00. Folding them up neatly he pushed the clothes into a plastic bag and shook my hand. Still smiling, we waved back towards his hut as we drove off.
I drove the rugged trail from Bunkpurugu to Tamale. It was an exciting and exhausting seven-hour journey. Really more like a motocross trail, we navigated from small village to small village as we listened to music and discussed Ghanian and American culture. There are no road signs providing direction out in the bush. Maybe the idea is that if you need to ask directions, you should not be driving. My OpenStreetMaps app was remarkably helpful, however.
I’ll have to explain driving some more at some point… but right now, I need to sleep…
Yay, I’ve caught up with your blogging and have been specially blessed by all the photos and narrative! Special to see and hear as someone who may never set foot in Africa. Amazed and humbled. Thanks for sharing, Pete! Have you ever considered be a contributor to National Geographic? :-)
I look forward to more time “in the field” in a few years, and maybe I will start getting more serious about photography….
Loved reading these posts! I have so many questions for when you return! The Fulani are fascinating. Your post on their characteristics was fascinating and so helpful. Looking forward to having you back home. Praying for you!
Thanks. We were able to finish the last few tasks while driving to the airport. We pulled over right before the exit, tried the last three BP+ units, and then handed to Ray and hopped out of the truck. We look forward to getting together.