Italian pool, Ghanian food, and Theme Park Cemetary Dinner

After our busy day in the hot, sweaty, beaming down sun, we decided to take the next day to lay by a pool. As per Awal's recommendation we went to La Palm, a hotel/casino/convention center to take advantage of the waterfront view, cool pool water, and of course, Lebanese guys conversation about terrorism. We happened to sit down next to the builder/contractor for the hotel, a South African man. He explained that the pool is an exact replica of a pool in a high class Italian Hotel. It was nice to be able to sit by the pool, not moving, just working on my tan (with SPF 30 of course). I did not burn, I know my mom is proud. There, Carina and I met two Lebanese guys who assisted me with overseas calls (Happy Birthday Margaret!) while we discussed America's views on Lebanon. Wassim told me I could stay with his parents when I decide to go there (no plans yet, don't worry mom). We discussed the tragedy of terrorism in the world. It was enlightening to talk with Wassim. Not what I expected to do in Ghana.

Well, Awal had taken Carina and I to get Ghanian food before and that is when I tried Okro Stew with Banku. It is a spicy red stew with meat (not sure what kind) and peppers. You eat with your hands, so they bring you a wash bowl and soap to the table (aren't you happy about that nurse, Laura). The Banku is a like a rice ball (rice pounded together to make an almost paste). When you eat it, you rip off a piece of the banku and dip it into the Okro stew.

This night, however, I ate Red Red with plantains. Red Red is, well red, but it is also a mixture of rice, peppers, meat, and chili pepper oil paste. I LOVED IT VERY MUCH! The only problem was that I have been only eating twice a day and so my stomach is smaller. I have yet to be able to finish the huge proportions they give you here. Saving food is hard without a refrigerator, so I feel like I am wasting a lot of food in Africa (which goes against everything I heard growing up).
I had dinner with Carina (of course) and our newest addition for the night, Femke (a gal from the Netherlands). The place we went was called Afrikiku (spelling?). It was like an abandoned theme park. The rides were all taken apart and they put up tables, chairs, stalls, and a dance floor. Yes, they have salsa, African style, on Saturdays and Tuesdays. I was there on a Sunday.