Our last trip to Ghana started with emergency laser eye surgery and an
exciting drive to the airport. Much of my life is well planned. Little red and blue boxes align neatly on work and home calendars. Workshops, travel, dinner parties, and vacations are mapped out almost a year in advance.

Today, as Beth and I begin our flight to Ghana, I think about an old joke: We plan, God smiles.

In January, Beth and I prepared materials to be brought to Ghana by some volunteers.  Each bag was filled to the 50lb limit. Unfortunately, they didn’t go.  For several weeks, Beth and I walked past the bags neatly arranged by the marimba in our front room.  For a time, Beth and I brainstormed about alternative travelers who could schlep the bags to Accra. Travel to Ghana is not difficult, just complicated. Upon arrival in Ghana proof of Covid19 vaccination, yellow fever vaccination, and a valid visa are all required.  Typhoid and hepatitis vaccination and malaria medication is recommended. Then comes the careful dance of getting thousands of dollars of electronic equipment, intended for donation, through customs.  Sometimes it requires a strange mix of hapless traveler, earnest volunteer, over-sharing about our visit, and smiling confidence. You can guess who is responsible for each part. 

Sometime in February, in the quiet Naperville mornings, the peaceful recordings of New Mexican musician Fernando Ortega began to give way to the imagined sounds of suitcases, singing, and dancing in Africa. Soon, Beth and I were planning for a continental dash — four nights in Africa.

So here we are, now with even more luggage.  My frequent flyer status allows Beth and I six bags, each up to 70lbs.  We are in Washington DC, and the next stop in Accra will begin a wild dash to grab 350lbs of luggage and begin work. I kinda like surprises.

If you are curious about our last trips to Ghana, you can find them here. As always, we enjoy comments.