We picked up Ray's Visa

Let me describe the experience. We were notified to be at the Embassy at 8 am to pick up the Visa. So we awoke at 5:30 took a taxi to the Embassy and arrived by 7:30 am. About 150 people we're picking up their Visa's that day, student visa's, tourist visa's, and immigration visa like Ray's. We were all told to wait outside in a particular area with about 10 benches. So about 5 to 6 picked crammed onto each bench but most were left standing. Thankfully we had a spot on a bench. Around 8:30 they called about 40 names from a handwritten list, but not Ray's. We found out a bit later that it's not good to be on the first list because it means the Embassy has reviewed your case and wants something in addition.

So the rest of us were just waiting and waiting in the hot sun. We werent allowed to have any food or water with us, so I was getting parched. Not to mention completely sweaty. After 2 hours, Ray asked me to wait inside the embassy(air conditioning) because they cant turn me away from my own Embassy right? SO I finally decide I dont want to get heat stroke and I go into the Embassy and take a seat in the lovely cool room. I'm only sitting for a couple of minutes when a guard asks me to go to window #1. A nice man at the window asked how he could help me, and I explained I was too hot waiting outside. He said he would get Ray's visa right away. I sat down for another 5 minutes and I was called up to the window again. Everything was ready and he gave me Ray's file, I didnt have any ID on me or anything. And he apologized that I was uncomfortable waiting outside in the heat. Amazing! I walk in and within 10 minutes I have the Visa, while over a hundred Ghanaians are waiting outside for hours on end. Why do they say to be at the Embassy at 8 am and then wait the people wait hours and hours. One guard was saying those people could be waiting all day long.

I touched an alligator!! OK, only with just one finger but hey I touched it! We traveled to Cape Coast for 3 days it was really beautiful. The best part.....the roads were all concrete to increase tourism. We toured Elmina Castle which was built in 1482 by the Portuguese. It was the first trans Atlantic slave castle built. We had a very good tour guide and he explained all the horrendous details of the slaves lives in the castle. We both agreed it was a very good experience but also very disturbing. The Dutch took over the castle, and then the British, Ghana has only had control of the Castle for 52 years.

We also went on a canopy walk over 600 feet above the ground! Two Canadian men built it in the 90's for tourists. Well, I didnt really think about it but to get up to the start of the canopy you've got to hike in the Tropical Rain forest. First off, I was wearing flimsy flip flops, and second it was ridiculously hot. The higher we climbed the hotter it became. The ground is an orange damp clay dirt which I was mastering with my flip flops!!! The path was also filled with large rocks and fire ants. There were about five different times on the hike that fire ants were crossing the path. I've only ever seen that many ants on TV nature programs. When we arrived at the start of the canopy walk I was the very first one to start the walk because I was so hot I figured , the first one to start is going to be the first to get out of the tropical forest. The planks were about 12 inches wide and a netting material went up about 5 feet from the planks. I admit the view was beautiful but it was torturous in the heat. I cant say it was fun but it's definitely something I wont ever forget. I have lots of fun pictures, plus a lot of butt shots of me because Ray was carrying the camera. Afterward we went to Hans Cottage restaurant which was built right in the middle of an alligator swamp. This is where I met my friend the alligator.

Joan, you better be saving some diet coke for me! Or I'll arrive on your doorstep at midnight on the 2nd straight from the airport! I miss you all but most of all my little Savannah! I cant wait to see her again.