About "FOOD"

We got into Accra on the 29th of January at night. We were met by two gentlemen brothers, Anthony and Joseph, who have been friends with Father Bobby Benson for many, many years. Both brothers work at the airport and they usually meet Fr. Bobby Benson's friends who are coming from abroad. So, as I was saying, we were met by Anthony first who called our names: "Judi, Silvia". At that point our "souls came back into our bodies. . .", so to speak....! We had been very worried because we had tons of luggage and had not informed Father "B" and did not know at that point how hard it would be to get everything past "Ghana customs". But, as I said, once Anthony called our names, things started rolling literally! We were taken under Anthony's "wings" and were taken care of completely.

Father "B" met us outside the airport in a van labeled: "Clinical Pastoral Education, Koforidua". We were ushered into the van after all our seven 73 lbs., bags had been hauled on to the back of the van....! From that point on we had really started our GHANA experience.

Father "B" drove us to the head quarters of the Hand Maids of the Divine Redeemer, the catholic sisters who welcomed us with a laid out table full of food. We were welcomed that first night by sister Bridget, the head sister of the convent, sister Cecilia a nurse midwife and other sisters. We were completely taken care of, starting with the food and then we were shown to our rooms where we rested from our very long trip in very comfortable, clean, single rooms.

Little did we know then what we were going to experience. I was full of stories already and I immediately started "journaling"... Still, life and Father "B" the very next day showed us the Accra and Ghana "experience" that he knows and is connected with.

We had breakfast at seven thirty: Tea, bread and scrambled eggs. By ten we were ready, with all our luggage, waiting for Father to get us in his van to give us a city tour....! We started by following sister Bridget to the place where they prepare lunch for the children that they teach at the adjacent school. So we got to see the efficient way in which the sisters have to manage with very little to make a very nutritious and tasty meals. We were at the end given some of the seasoned rice (a Ghanaian version of Paella), which we really enjoyed.

That Wednesday was "permeated" with "Food". Little did we know then, that what we were about to receive was the very best that the country had to offer....

We were taken first to the house of the widow of the former chief of justice. The lady was not there but the people who worked for her had instructions to take care of us..., and they really did it in high style.

When we got to the house we were shown to the front veranda and once seated were offered cold drinks. After that we were shown to the dining room where a complete meal, with two different sauces, salad, rice, yam and plantain were placed in different serving bowls. We ate until we could not eat more..., although at that point we were still not very used to hot spicy food. We then had a little rest, Father took a nap, Michael (our student doctor from Rhode Island), Judi and I just chatted and were getting to know each other.

That night we went to a "Memorial Lecture" at the British Council, in memory of a Scientist, John Kofi Turkson, who had died in a plane accident eight years earlier. Father had been invited to say the opening prayer and other important scientists were also invited, together with the Bishop of Accra who were all part of a panel, discussing the Ghana energy crisis. It gave us a birds view of Ghana politics and Energy problems. Also discussed was the possible creation of nuclear energy as a possible solution.

After the lecture there was some food and drinks, but we were were still a bit hungry, so Father took us to the best Chinese restaurant in town, which in the end was really good but just too much. We had to take most of it home and ended up getting "home", at the sister's place, really late...., so we got a bit scolded...!

Of course by now, my friend Judi has asked me, "What does all of what you just wrote have to do with food?" My answer is: Everything in the end has to do with food, whether it is food for nourishing the body, or food for nourishing the mind or the soul. We need all sorts of experiences in order to have full lives..., and boy! Did we have all sorts of very interesting nourishing experiences that first day in Accra! (Silvia).