This is AFRICA!

Friday, July 11^th.

We arrived at GNAT at nine and spent most of the morning putting the finishing touches to our workshops in our groups. My co-tutors divided up all the handouts and packed everything up for the three workshops. Before lunch we had a pair and share about our feelings about our experience here. After lunch, Lyle showed me a woman who was selling shirts under the stairwell in the GNAT building. He showed me a beautiful black one he liked with a patterned shape of Africa on the front and patches of coloured patterns on the back. Unfortunately it didn't fit him so he suggested I buy it. It was beautiful so I picked it up.We said goodbye for now to all our new friends and went back to the hotel.

We changed and headed downtown to a school supply store where some of us bought supplies for the schools here. The store was small but chock-a-block full of school materials. I have no idea how they find anything in it. It was so crowded that Owen and I went for a walk through a local market area across the street. This is AFRICA! Throngs of people, hawkers, sidewalk shops and colourful fabrics. We explored the area, taking photos, talking to people and enjoying the immersion into another culture. It is very different from the area where we are staying. We walked with the whole group to a bank machine and through the textile market where some people bought yards of brightly coloured local kenti cloth. Then we headed back for a swim in the pool and dinner. Barb, Angela, Cindy, Owen and I swam and we met a group of conga drummers by the pool who were setting up for a performance this evening. Owen and I talked to them while the girls went up to change.

When we came back down to the restaurant bar area the drummers were playing for a special party for the minister of agriculture. We had a couple of beer while listening. Barb, Angela and Lyle were dragged up on the dance floor. Fun time. After that we had dinner and drinks. We need to get some sleep as we are off on a field trip in the morning. It's the weekend!