cat >/dev/null

Still alive.

Our settlement gave me some worries but now I’m kind of getting used, at least as much as you can get used to it. It’s not exactly like I could call it home, apart from the ACs stuck at 20 degrees, the load of computers and network gear scattered all over the place, the missing bandwidth, _that_ really does feel like home! But I take it it’s very good for being around here. Sleeping on the ground is kind of cool, when I have a mattress… and air conditioning. Obviously you have to pay basic attention, when you’re doing such things as bathing or brushing your teeth. It’s quite funny to be writing this now while I’m in the server room, with full AC on, hearing my friend Carlo who’s kneeling at the throne, pouring his soul out. I wonder how it will be when my turn comes. Was it the pineapple juice WE BOTH had this evening at Paloma? I almost feel it coming.

As you may see from the timestamp for this entry (though we are on GMT here, that will be -1 on my server’s local time) I don’t get a lot of sleep around here. We get up quite early to bath, check things and stuff, “stuff” here basically meaning listen to the fine radio programmes that our neighbours pump up at full volume at 6 am. Not this morning though: I came out of the shower and just started lecturing… I told you I’m getting accustomed. Now if only I could do that at my regular workplace.

The lectures are going quite well, the participants are very nice people, it’s a shame they don’t seem to be all at the same level so that we can do what’s best for anyone. But we’re trying to do our best anyway. It’s quite hard even because we’re just two people lecturing nine hours a day. And I’d like to go out and see things on evenings. But the lectures will be over Friday and hopefully we’re getting some good time on the weekend, before we leave.

By now, I’ve been able to wander around a little bit, with the assistance of our new friend Marc. From what I’ve been able to see, Ghanaian people are quite cool. I can’t say I’ve really known much of them, though. Ghanaian women are just wonderful. I’m seeing a lot of gorgeous women around here and I did not think it was like that.

This evening I finally got to know Gideon, our contact here. I had only heard about him from my fellows, and from what I’ve been able to see today, he’s up to my expectations. I think we will get on very well, he looks like a very nice person, with a good heart.

I finally found my CF reader but that is not important anymore since Carlo has a digital camera and is doing some photo already and uploading them to the local web server (not on the internet). I uploaded some into my gallery but the bandwidth is just too little. I will try and upload more later on. The rest will be up as soon as get back home.

Now I’m going to sleep, I don’t want to risk missing the catchy tunes at 6.

Seems like I’ve done it once again. The flight from Amsterdam to Accra was not very smooth, but we got here, more or less on time.

Out of the airport was a cheerful crowd of people waiting for my arrival. Well, not quite like that, but a crowd it was. It’s been strange, all of those people behind fences watching me pass by like I’m some sort of a rock star.

Luckily, my fellows happened to be part of that merry crowd, so they picked me up and we reached the facility. Let’s call that a facility. And that’s it for now.

Geez. It’s HOT in here. And they tell me it’s nothing compared to what will be during the day. But at least I got a nice arrangement for the night in a room served by AC. My fate and mental sanity is in the hand of that machine.

Since I am writing these notes, you take it the wireless link that serves as internet connection is working fine (however ssllloooowwwwwww), but the fellows here say earlier today the routing was down. I still haven’t started and yet it’s already being a pleasure working with these people. You fly thousands of miles, ending up in the middle of nowhere, you plug your KNOPPIX CD and your Wi-Fi card into the first notebook handy, and you’re set.

Some bad news, it seems I left my CF reader home. So if I can’t get CF access here, chances are I won’t be able to update the gallery until I get back home.