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August 2001
It's almost three weeks that I am in Africa, in Ghana and Burkina Faso (BK) to be precise.
To get there was not easy as I had little time in Europe to arrange visa's,
compulsory injections and ticket cheap enough to afford. Beside this there was a
wonderful retreat in Madhu Karuna the MG Quarters in Timmern, Germany.
Dc room was getting too small... | Pizza, pizza and more pizza... |
Meeting old friends...Dada Nabhaniilananada and Subuddyanandji |
Not even half turned up for the photo... |
London Jagrtii, health shop and Sunrise school |
Nearby overgrown graveyard with angels watching |
Now getting hold of the person who was taking care of my cheap ticket was an
other adventure... he did however arrange my visa for Ghana! He told my ticket
was ready but he had been telling that for quite a while and from others I had
heard that this could mean anything... Finally the morning of my flight he came
and gave the ticket, I rushed so I could also get my BK (Burkina Faso) visa.
Somehow with trains, subways, busses and getting soaked in the rain trying to
find the embassy I managed all and was still on time for the flight. Even the
70Kg of luggage was accepted somehow! Finally on the plane we heard that due
to heavy rain the flight was delayed by two hours. I had fever by that time...
I don't know if it was due to the rain, the running around for so many days
or side effects of the vaccination but as a special grace I had a whole middle
row for myself and could sleep nicely on four seats.
Looking back everything went actually very smooth and there was really no need
to be worried anywhere... This divine play is always like that.
Reaching in Accra, Ghana in the evening I was picked up by Dada Daneshananda,
Suvidyananda and Mahaviir and brought to the Jagrtii. Of course we talked till
late (later!) The next day I could take a bit rest, go for a walk on the beach
(not so clean...) which is just across the street. While meditating there I
managed to get sunburned nicely, only now two weeks later is it fully ok...
Children from Didi Kiiran's home having fun time at the beach. |
Early morning Didi Kiiran came to pick us up with her pick up truck to drive to
Tamale in the North of Ghana. This should have taken about 10 hours but... we took a
wrong turn and were for six hours on bumpy sand roads, the people in the back
were completely covered with dust.
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Caught through the rear mirror...Didi ? and Didi Kiiran |
interesting tree on the way |
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and someone very dusty... (Dada Daneshananda) |
Group photo at the UKK |
The road brought us close to the Ivory coast border. Anyhow
full exhausted we reached Tamale at 2am the next day. Not all is challenge,
there is a balance in the Universe... The place were we stayed was a thelux
hotel with Air-conditioning run by one of the local margiis. We stayed there
the next day as well to recover! The road to Ouagadougou, BK, was without much
obstacles. No trouble at the border and we found the Jagrtii easily.
Now, maybe the first time in history, we had our UKK retreat at the national
football (Soccer) stadium. There was plenty of space and the DC Hall was air-conditioned!
(Maybe an other first time arrangement)
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Childrens programs | Our SS, Krpamayananda holding ?? |
I really enjoyed the strong African style kiirtan, the cultural
programs and being with my new family here. Click
for a detailed description of the UKK written by Dada Daneshananda.
On Saturday the President came to visit... yes we are well known... There
was tight security and the compulsory welcome committee with guns and
trumpets... after he joined us for kiirtan and Sadhana...
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Welcome for the president with guns and instruments |
The President visiting... |
Ok, I'll explain, he didn't actually come for us, he didn't join the kiirtan... he came to see the national final soccer match played that Saturday. We were actual locked in our venue for a while to ensure his safety... After your own afternoon program was finished some of us went to watch the match as well, we had direct access to the field. I was happy to see there was such a family feeling in the stadium, of course everyone was shouting for their own favourite team, but there was no trace of the aggressive tension you feel from the matches in Europe. No high fences between the supporters or heavy police (beside the prim minister security)
The final national match |
The last evening a local music/drama group was
invited who played xylophone, some string instruments and naturally drums. They
were amazing! One of them told a story (in French) and everyone (who could
understand) was glued at his performance. It was accompanied with background
music. It was followed by more drumming with amazing speed, rhythm and
coordination. After a while the children went up to dance in front. This
delighted the musicians who probably didn't expect a yoga group to do this. Some
of the grown ups also joined and showed traditional dance!
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Local musicians | Kids and grown-ups dancing |
After a few days it was time to go back. This time we didn't take a wrong turn but had two blown tires... One blew and than shortly after the spare tire also gave up. Our drive/mechanic and Didi Mayatiita hitched to the next town to get it fixed. We thought they had the hard part but no, while waiting it was getting dark and 1,000,000's of sand flies woke up... they liked us a lot! We didn't quite feel in the same way as they bite very nicely.
Three hours later they came back with a repaired
tire and we made it to the border. Immigration was still open but the office
which inspects the car papers was closed. We slept outside the police station on
their veranda. Many more interesting insects were there... A 10cm large moth, a
praying mantis and many others. Some frogs/toads came to have a look as well. It
was also fasting day...
Next morning after breaking our fast there were no further obstacles and we
reached the same Hotel safely. We thought we could reach Accra the same day but
we made it only the next day, but still on time for few of us who had a flight
to catch.
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in the middle of nowhere | with a flat tire |
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what to do? (Dada Daneshananda and our SOS Suvidyananda) |
Now I am very peaceful in Accra Jagrtii, waiting for a flight
to Johannesburg, South Africa. The same brother had arranged my onward ticket
and booked me on the flight last night. I am still here... the flight was
actually not confirmed and over booked. Next flight is Monday evening. There is
3 hour Akanda Kiirtan Sunday morning so all is well:-) An other advantage is
that I am getting time to sort out all the photo's and write this! I may even
try the beach again, putting sunscreen this time!
In His Love,
Dada Krpasundarananda
PS No Akandha Kiirtan as I got fever... and flights full for an other 10 days... Still I am happy being here.
_____________
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