I arrived safely in Accra on Tuesday evening and spent a few days getting organized in town before the staggering 12 hour bus ride on Friday to Tamale. My favorite part had to be the sign that said "Monkey For Sale." Much to my dismay, the Catholic Guesthouse was not all it was cracked up to be. I think they forgot I was coming, so they showed me the only room they had left- one light, no working fan, windows closed b/c there was an air conditioner that didn't work and no light in the nasty bathroom. Gross.

We decided to forgo that option and I'm now located farther north of town in the same "suburb" where Hamdiyah lives- about a 10 minute walk. It's a little off the beaten track, so I don't think I'll be meeting many foreigners or other travelers, but the place is nice and I have access to the kitchen. I also downgraded, so I just have a fan and "share" a bathroom with one other room, but there's no one staying in the other room. I've been watching lots of World Cup action on the satellite television while getting adjusted her in Tamale.

I had my first African market experience- wow! I don't know if I'll ever feel the same way about meat again, but I will spare you all the details. I love the negotiating atmosphere of life here in Ghana, but I need a little more practice.

The landscape was tropical rainforest and rolling hills on the way north, but now we've settled into a flat, savannah that has lush green grass and a few shrubs and taller trees interspersed. It is the rainy season, which means it rains every few days. All this greenery is contrasted by the bright red clay soil across the entire country.

I'm glad to be slightly more settled and really settle down to work. I'm at the World Vision office in Savelegu which is about 20 km north of Tamale. I'll spend at least one or two days a week here. This week I'll spend my days shadowning Hamdiyah and Wahabu and begin to make a plan for how I'm going to sample the population with the new solar water bag.

Unfortunately, I have my first bought of travelers diarrhea and, wow, it's not a lot of fun. Hopefully this is just my body getting used to the new microbes and nothing more.

More later. . .and maybe some pictures of the landscape when I get more settled.