Village Rainbows

Recently I have been trying my hand at amateur videos. This is my most recent effort. Give me some feedback – like, dislike, technical advice, etc.

Anchored drilling rig in Sekondi Arbour

A strong harmattan morning was settled in over the coastal region of Ghana yesterday morning. This drilling rig has been anchored just outside the fishing harbour at Sekondi for many years. Its purpose, its origins, it futures are obscured from most of us, much like the rig itself in this photo. And like the the obscured rig, the various agendas of big business and local politicians are equally unknown to those of us who walk the streets and tend the farms and work the markets in this West African country. We have seen what has happened to other African countries which have the double-edged “blessing” of black gold, and we all hope for better things in our country. Yet each day’s newspapers carry stories about this discovery and that rumour and those promises… and we remain with our questions unanswered and our hopes yet to be fulfilled.

Be very certain

that

You can taste the salt air

in every snowflake that touches your tongue

and that

The energy that crumbled houses in Haiti

quivers in the foundation of your own home

An old friend stopped by the African Rainbow a few days ago, driving his good old trusty Citroen sedan. It was wonderful to catch up on each other’s news – he lives in the Eastern Region and he and his wife have been operating a community kindergarten for some time. We also share an interest in cars, and he was showing me some of the electrical “challenges” that he has been facing with his car. As we walked around the vehicle, I spotted the decal pasted on the boot. It struck me that it represents a wonderful approach to life and so I thought I would share it with you.

The Last Sunset of 2009

Sunsets near the equator are always a rushed affair – one minute the sun is there in the sky, and if you take your attention of it for a second, the next thing you know, it is gone. It is Universe’s way of reminding us to stay focused on the issues that we consider to be important and to be open to the unexpected.

I almost missed this shot yesterday because I had not given it my full attention. A short time earlier, my youngest daughter, who lives in East Africa, suggested that the last day of the year would present a wonderful photo opportunity, with the sun setting just as the full moon was rising.

Seizing her suggestion, I went to the rooftop, camera and tripod in hand, about 20 minutes before 6:00p.m. A lovely red sun was sliding towards the western horizon, with pink clouds adding dramatic effect, and initially I thought I could capture the event without the aid of the tripod. I took a few shots (one which I have posted) and then decided the tripod would provide a better platform for those last few rays from the sun. By the time I attached the camera and extended the legs of the tripod, those lovely pink clouds had utterly obscured the sun and I completely missed those last rays which I had been intending to capture.

The Full Moon ushering in the New Year

The Universe has many ways of influencing the way in which we experience our lives. Once the sun had set, I turned my attention to the moon. The Harmattan intervened, and prevented me from seeing the moon rising above the horizon.  The moon only became apparent an hour or so later after it was well on its nightly ride across the sky. Once again, it was Universe’s way of instructing me to embrace the unexpected – the anticipation of seeing the new moon on New Year’s Eve was certainly not lessened because I could not see it when I thought I would, but rather it made me more appreciative when it was possible. Thank you, Universe.

Blessings to all. Happy New Year.