Bah Arrives in Ghana from Ivory Coast

Asiabill from has written 258 comments

hahahehehehehe, Funny post today the "lie" issue bothered me for years but in most of the world they follow the Chinese way of thinking that, "the Truth Hurts" so keep it to oneself. It's like their first reaction is to avoid answering truthfully but after many years I sort of finally GOT IT because my automatic reaction of being frank, direct and honest OFTEN rubs people the wrong way.

I've learned that sharing the fact that one of if not my proudest achievement is NOT working a job for more than 3 months in my life and not being employed like with a taxed paycheck since 76. But I try to withhold such outbursts in recent past years. So ANDY I'm one American you can always SHARE the JOY of NOT WORKING with anytime. Like today, after getting nearly "lost" in the jungle or forest yesterday trying to follow a 15 year old "short-cut" eventually following carabao tracks. Just when I was almost on top the density became so dense I almost had to climb trees to make any postive forward motion. Luckily I visualized a cold rainy night , gave up and headed back tot eh train track. It was like that Michael Douglas film in South America where he went sliding down the mountain side when it started raining. I hadn't had an adventure like that since I was 10 to 12 years old outside in the countryside where I grew up. So TODAY I did absolutely NOTHING loving it.

Most of my fellow Americans spend money they don't have to buy things they don't need to impress people they don't like. There are two armies on earth, one carries a diadem (cross pole flag staff) bearing false pride, greed, lust, sloth, anger, gluttony and envy and have set their course on more of everything. The other army's diadem advertises the virtues of humility, charity, reason, love and security and have set their course towards gratitude for what they have. I know not about the next life but I guarantee there is a hell and a heaven on this earth because I've been both places--if we march with the one it's hell and if march with the other its heaven but either way the choice is ours to make...John

To have truly traveled means to long to travel again. I cannot wait to travel again where the daily worries of American life and stress just melt away.

The adventure of experiencing different cultures, foods and ways of thinking is a like a drug for those of us that travel amongst the people of a country and not in the isolated and sterile American/western enclaves.

Regarding "Eat, Pray, Love":

If any American male is married to any female who is even remotely as self-centered as Julia Roberts is in that flick then he can count himself lucky to have his shallow wife give him the flick.

American males should stop treating their girlfriends/wives as princesses.

Peace!

Phil J from has written 75 comments

Hi Andy. I am glad you are safe and sound. You are, as usual, right on the mark about human nature. I had it figured out some years ago. I also do not raise issues that I know are true but which would make others uncomfortable. Most people do not want to hear the truth and would be offended if they knew the real truth. And, as my kid sister told me, some people emotionally cannot handle the truth. They would panic and possibly commit suicide. I just live my life day to day as I want and do not waste time worrying about things I cannot change.
I do see an incredible amount of beauty in life. From a pretty flower, to beautiful music, and beautiful places. I certainly have learned what the source of my happiness is. When you spend years in an environment totally controlled by others and with no possessions of your own except uniforms and a few pictures of loved ones, you learn where happiness starts. You cannot blame a bad day on others. You make the choice about your day. You have to face reality. It starts between your ears. It is an attitude. And the fact that you repeatedly, freely made the choice to put yourself in that time and place means you cannot blame your circumstances on anyone but yourself.
I like to think I am happy. Sometimes a little frustrated, but usually only in passing. I am sure of one thing, I really look forward to your blog and a good cup of coffee in the morning.
sincerely
Phillip

tropicalguide from has written 112 comments

Great comments, at over 60, with some minor health issues I must manage, I MUST, eat, bathe, exercise, be aware, especially crossing streets with the crazy drivers talking on cellphones or running red lights, I DO stay in contact with friends since I am gregarious, I show up on time and pay my utility bills on time, since I am not a person who likes living in the dark without water, this week I received long rambling e mail from a woman wishing to relocate in my region, Central American, no full name, no age, no city and town, and no magic word......PLEASE...just 'look into this property for me...is the area 'dangerous', I sent her the Wiki Travel sites, which have all kinds of links and information on Central America and also some common sense advice, including be polite and always use 'please and thank you' when asking for and receiving a favor.especially in Latin America.....last night a long winded e mail from her with a litany of problems and questions, I put the e mail on SPAM too tired to answer, if she e mails again I will put again in SPAM, the best way to get rid of someone you do not desire contact with is to ignore them, in the last months of my marriage, after a terrible verbal fight, my ex wife moved out to the couch, only spoke to me when necessary, it worked for her, she won, and got her divorce, no contest. No kids, so no complications. be aware Andy and try to get at least an hour of 'quiet time' ALONE a day, no BAH, no computers or technology. After 20 minutes on Facebook the other night, I just gave up, I had made a suggestion on a thread, a couple persons did not like it and had asked their 'committee' to take down my posting..told em take it down, have fun!!!! No sense of humor I would be in a rubber room in States somewhere!!!!! lol!

has written 205 comments

I am content.

Brotha J from has written 12 comments

Hey Andy, Im sure you already know this, but if someone says , "Im on my way coming" it translates to what ever time they feel..It could be minutes or days, just as long as they have it in there head they are on there way. Let me know if you need anything. Im in Haatso area of Accra and will be up in Tamale in a month. You can also reach me at 0276787286. I'll be in country until June....Glad your out of Ivory Coast and back in Ghana....

HappyHobo from has written 18 comments

You do nothing all day? HUH? You are on an amazing journey and you take us with you! There is a reason God has you doing what you are doing!

As for BAH, I wrote you an e-mail encouraging you and then I read about the "lies" I was a little concerned. Is she actually telling lies, or is it like in some other cultures, that when they say they will be somewhere at a certain time that is an "idea" of when but not specifically when they will be there? In other words, promptness isn't as important or an issue like it is for us raised in the United States?