The Road Less Traveled

With less than 1 hour of sleep, we were on our way to Kete Krachi at 2am. Leaving that early hopefully would ensure us ample time to reach the ferry and get on it. Without complications, the drive takes about 6 hours. Luckily... this time we had no complications. At least as far as time went.

This road is less traveled for a very good reason. Just outside the greater Accra area the road became a mine field. Giant speedbumps every mile, potholes that could swallow the entire van, and frequent military and police checkpoints. Our driver was amazing at this navigation, but there is still only so much he could do.

For me it was even worse, as somehow I got stuck in the back of the van and I get motion sick (I did take dramamine). Debra and Josh were sound asleep in the first 2 rows so I had nowhere to go. Even if I had room to lie down and sleep it would have made me too sick. So for 6 hours I tried to find a balance of getting a little bit of sleep sitting up and staying awake to look out the window. 

Well in time for the first ferry, we arrived at the lakeshore. Here we watched the morning market bustle about. Children in school uniforms getting breakfast. Other children doing chores and vendors opening up their shops.

 



Soon enough the ferry began to board. We were getting closer, but the ferry was filling up as well. Many large trucks with goods to transport and buses use the ferry to get across. But, we pulled into the 2nd to last spot. We were instructed to get out to go and pay for our tickets. I asked the lady how much and pointed to the van when I said 4 plus the driver. She told me to forget about the driver. We paid and got on board. A few minutes later our driver and the lady appear saying we didn't pay for the van. So I took care of that - but really, did she think we had a driver and not a vehicle!

 

Meanwhile a loud argument had broken out between a group of very strong looking men about who would get the last spot on the ferry. A truck tried to force it's way on, but it was too large. In the end a car was able to secure the spot.  



The ferry ride was pleasant and only about a half hour. We were very thankfully for the reprieve from the bumpy road. While JD and stayed inside the van trying to take advantage of the time to get a little sleep, Debra ventured outside where she glady took on the role of marriage broker for this young woman selling bread. At one point I heard her say to the young man in question that he couldn't marry her because she makes more money than him.







Joshua was playing Mindcraft and a teenage Ghanian was watching. Josh invited him into the van and taught him how to play.

 

All to quickly, we were back on the road. We couldn't have imagined it being worse than what we just came from, but it was. The next two hours were like being inside a pinball machine. But when we finally reached The Village of Life, it was all worth it.

The bad part... we had to endure it all again when we left.