Guest Author: Charity Holladay
Today has been a very busy and fun day! We started off the morning at 7:00am climbing up on a Nissen Patrol and going on a morning safari ride. The seats we were sitting in were small, plastic children’s seat that had been fastened to a metal frame. The seats were slippery and we had to make sure to hold on tight. It was definitely a memorable drive. We were able to see a few different animals than we saw yesterday. Best of all we were able to go to the watering hole and see 2 elephants playing in the water. Our guide, Daniel, knew one of the elephant’s names. He was the larger of the two and his name was Nash. Daniel said the older elephants they see a lot have been named. It is difficult to tell the teenagers apart so they do not name them. We had only been at the watering hole for about 30 seconds when the guide pointed to a crocodile. It had been sitting along the bank directly under him. It began to swim around the elephants. Another crocodile joined them and they slowly meandered around. I would like to think the elephants and crocodiles are friends and enjoyed each other’s company. We, on the other hand, were keeping our distance.
After our safari we made the trek back to the hotel to enjoy our complimentary breakfast. They served us eggs, toast, and coffee. The coffee was especially tasty. There was nothing special about the type of coffee. It was just some instant granules. They served it along with sugar cubes and little packets of Ideal evaporated milk. The evaporated milk made it so nice and creamy. We had 2 extra packets so I took them with me to use when we get back to the mission house. I was joking that I might even pack them and take them home with me. Of all the things I plan to take back to the states, the Ideal milk makes the top 10. It is the small things in life.
From Mole we traveled 2.5 hours back to Tamale. We are staying in the Relax Lodge. Mom and dad have often talked of the sweet Indian couple that runs the lodge. They were so excited to see us pull up that they met us outside and the lady gave out a round of hugs. We unloaded and headed back out to the cultural center to do some shopping. Faith purchased a small knife, purse, fan, painting of ladies carrying food on their heads, and some leather bangle bracelets to hand out to her friends when she gets home. I purchased a few items to give to my kids. Lindsay and Jordan bought a beautiful painting and a special gift to give to someone in their life. I cannot tell what it is because the person might be reading the notes. Goosie (Kandie) bought one of the ugliest things I have seen to date. It was a Santa Clause riding on a horse with straw hair. They had attached antlers to make it look like a reindeer. She could have bought a Santa riding a zebra. Faith thought that was the better choice of the two. I don’t think it mattered. They were both terrible.
While we were at the center shopping sweet Gander went and got more coolant added to the van. It was blowing really cold on the way to Mole but then it started to slowly stop blowing so much. He said it was 140 Cedis ($13) and seemed to be fixed. On the way in from Mole he stopped and bought 2 new tires. He had them balanced and rotated. The news tires were put on the front and the old rotated to the back. We also stopped and bought 7 new brooms to take back to the mission house. I always say that Gander is a good egg. We love him and he takes very good care of us and mom. I have no doubt that we would have had a blown tire on the way back from Mole if he had not taken his afternoon to change the tire and go into town and find someone to work on it. Mom was telling us that almost weekly they have a tire go bad that needs to be worked on. This is the third one since we have been here and we are only on day 7.
After shopping we came back to the Relax Lodge. We ordered our food and while we were waiting for it to be made Faith and I took some time to check in on our boys at home. I think they miss her as much as they do me. I was talking to Zorash the other day about when we go home and how much the boys have been missing us. She said Marcus will learn that kaki is not leather. Meaning he will appreciate me. They have such interesting sayings here. I am going to try to remember that one.
We have gotten our tummies full. The food was AMAZING! We all ordered what we wanted and then passed the plates around and had a buffet. So we had things like hot and sour soup, curried potatoes, and mushroom pasta. Maybe I will work on eating less tomorrow. Ha!
We have an early morning tomorrow. Faith has already fallen asleep. We are going to be packed and pulling out at 6:30am. We are headed to basket land tomorrow. It is suppose to be another full day of adventures.
We Love You All,
In His Service,
Charity H
PS: Our sympathies go out to the family of Johnny Bullington. Please keep them in your prayers during the difficult times ahead. They have been a friend of the family for 60+ years. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him.
