View of Accra rooftops from window
A novel sight - road cyclist in full spandex kit, earnestly making his way among Accra's harried drivers. I was inspired - not least by the long-sleeved shirt in the humid, 90-degree-plus weather.
Typists next to the post office - right where I remembered them being when I was a child, although the typewriters have changed since then.
Olympia Traveller de Luxe - well-used, and has probably withstood more than I would have thought possible. Perhaps I should reconsider my opinion on these...
It wasn't a fancy beach, but I just wanted to get to the waterfront and walk around a bit, so I did. Then we found this fellow, so that turned out to be fun.
So - how has everyone been? What have I missed? I am so glad
21 Questions has caught on, and I am just now catching up with all the great responses! Here is the latest round-up; do let me know if I've overlooked any:
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Writing Ball (Richard)
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Fountain Pens & Typewriters (Bill)
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Living in the Woods (Cameron)
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Just Write (Mike Speegle)
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Flynn Taggart
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Nathan Guitars (great responses!)
Adwoa, it's great to have you back! We all missed your posts.
ReplyDeleteThese pics are indeed a departure from your usual Geneva photos, truly another world. But there is something really soulful about these images. Thanks for sharing them with us.
The photo of the photographer with the battery-powered photo printer is precious. And its funny that Accra did not escape your typewriter radar!
Everyone has that "can't go home again" moment, I'm sure. Even my humble hometown has built up and changed dramatically (or so it seems) since I lived there. For good or bad, our memories never age, and so something as mundane as a fresh coat of paint on a familiar old building can seem jarring and out-of-place to everyone except the locals.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a good trip, and we're glad to see you back!
Welcome back! I'm glad you had a nice trip.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are nice, but I cannot imagine riding a bicycle at that temperature and humidity; it's worse than FL!
It's good to get back home after a long time away to visit friends and family and see what has changed.
Awesome how you turn a trip "home" to Ghana into (at least partially) another search for typewriters. Love it.
ReplyDeleteThey may not have wifi in Ghana yet, but it seems that it's already obsolete in Japan. Once everyone has a cell phone there's little need for wifi. Yet typewriters remain...
ReplyDeleteVery interesting, thank you for sharing all this.
ReplyDeleteI guess the guy with the printer is the modern version of a Polaroid photographer -- ironically, it's a more cumbersome system!
When he approached us and described what he was selling, I thought for sure he would be whipping out a Polaroid, and I remember wondering how he was still able to find film and other supplies for it. So I was amazed - and amused - at this bulky set-up, but he seemed to have gotten used to it.
DeleteI'd be interested in knowing how you seem to have changed from their point of view. Maybe you could arrange for friends/family to dictate a post office typecast on that subject.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back! I did the q & a also but I think you read most of mine before you left.
That would be quite a question to ask! Not sure I would be brave enough to post the response up here, though... :)
DeleteWelcome back! Hooray, you found the typewriters!
ReplyDeleteWelcome back!
ReplyDeleteI guess I am lucky. Fort Wayne, Indiana hasn't changed much at all. I was born in Florida and moved around a bit, but my mom brought us back "home" when I was three. I lived here up through high school then bounced around for 5-6 years during college, only to come back home and have never left (or wanted to) for the last 12+ years of my adult, working life.
Sounds blissful, Deek! I like being settled now, sort of, even if it is not in the same place where I grew up. It is nice to live in one town and see it evolve with time (and when you see each change as it happens, I guess you don't notice it all that much).
DeleteYou're back! Great! In a couple weeks I am going to make a similar trip "home" where I have not been since 2005. I don't remember what excuse I gave my relatives so that they will, I hope, welcome me and provide me with shelter and food, but the real reason I am crossing the Atlantic is to go pick up a Groma Kolibri that I could absolutely not find here.I bought it in Germany and had it shipped to my relatives. It will cross the Atlantic back with me and find a new home with may other typewriters. Of course spending time with all the relatives will be nice too!
ReplyDeleteGreat excuse to visit! While there were no typewriters to be brought back from home, I carefully plan all my other vacations to coincide with typewriter-spotting opportunities, if not an outright purchase. The last time I was in Paris, I did what you are doing - reserved a typewriter ahead of time and picked it up during the trip.
DeleteI've been curious how your trip went, and this post was a lovely way to catch up on your adventures!
ReplyDeleteThe row of typists near the Post Office is interesting. Perhaps the Typosphere could adopt that practice in other parts of the world? What a sight that would be!