Cell phones and such

Writing blogs and debating the wording

As the naïve travelers we admitted to being, we didn’t know that bringing a phone was not the same as bringing an unlocked phone. An unlocked phone can take another SIM card. In the US, we are all locked to our providers and stuff like that. So, we got here and had SIM cards with local numbers provided for us. No way to use them. What if we want take out? Tough cookies because you cannot call anyone!

After a week of work and feeling friggin’ tired every day, we made it to the Accra Mall in search of the latest and greatest cell phones. With a strict budget in mind, we ended up with Samsung Fame cell phones. Go ahead and GTS (Google that shit) because you don’t even know what that is anymore. Ten years ago, we would have been bragging to friends about our incredible technology. Now, it feels like a time warp.

That being said, we are connected in some way to the community. Enough to do some calls to set up interviews for house help, which is a very common thing amongst our expat community. So, when in Rome. We decided that we wanted house help of our own to clean, shop, and do some laundry. Now we were on the hunt and ready to meet our lucky job candidates.

Silicon Lodge, a favorite bar/hotel nearby

Finding house help became priority #1 after the first week. If we don’t have to clean and do laundry, then why do it?! We had one very uncomfortable interview, full of eye rolls because we didn’t offer the right amount of money, and a very large communication barrier, we decided absolutely not. A little discouraged because we thought this would be incredibly easy, we set up interview number 2.

And a pic for fun.
This sign frequents ladies' rooms here.
I hope all the ladies are doing it right!

Enter Phyllis, the house help we’ve always desired and never knew we could afford on a teacher’s bitty wage. We’ve had Phyllis for two weeks now. Our house looks immaculate. After feeling embarrassed by her seeing our bathroom for the first time (gurgly guts upon arrival), we’ve gotten over it and totally appreciate being able to have someone care for our home when we are gone. We are trying not to brag, but bragging a little bit.

Our weekends have changed from weekends of chores and errands, to doing things we want to do. Like ultimate Frisbee, picnics, exploring, and trying new foods. We’ve been here close to one month. The school community does a great job offering social events and gatherings in the beginning. The flip side of this, is all your extra time feels accounted for. We’ve decided we need a weekend away to explore a bit of Ghana and do something we plan ourselves. Cheers to independence and exploring! Love to all our friends and family.