Ghana-the land of Kente, Cacao & beautiful...

Ghana-the land of Kente, Cacao & beautiful smiles...and to that, I say, Me Daa Si!

  • Jan 05, 2017
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Ghana-the land of Kente, Cacao & beautiful smiles...and to that, I say, Me Daa Si!

Africa, the motherland. The land full of history & mystery...I had only seen and heard about this beautiful land...I began my exploration in and around Accra with a taxi driver turned tour guide, at least temporarily. National forests, the gold coast, & busy markets in the heart of Accra...

Jan 05, 2017
Africa, the motherland. The land full of history & mystery...I had only seen and heard about this beautiful land...I began my exploration in and around Accra with a taxi driver turned tour guide, at least temporarily. National forests, the gold coast, & busy markets in the heart of Accra...
Jamestown...not a place I would go back to, as I found the locals to be not very welcoming, with the exception of the children who calmed my nerves with their smiles as I walked through the area, rather briskly. Jamestown is one of the oldest districts in the city of Accra, and it has a beautiful lighthouse, indescribable poverty, and friendly children who were laughing and dancing. Seeing the children helped to ease my stress. I always resort to the children of the community...and they bring laughter, love and comfort as I explore an unknown place, where sometimes my friendly "hello" is not welcomed as warmly as I would have liked.
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Jamestown...not a place I would go back to, as I found the locals to be not very welcoming, with the exception of the children who calmed my nerves with their smiles as I walked through the area, rather briskly. Jamestown is one of the oldest districts in the city of Accra, and it has a beautiful lighthouse, indescribable poverty, and friendly children who were laughing and dancing. Seeing the children helped to ease my stress. I always resort to the children of the community...and they bring laughter, love and comfort as I explore an unknown place, where sometimes my friendly "hello" is not welcomed as warmly as I would have liked.

Jan 05, 2017
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DSC08429 Capture Date: Jan 4, 2017 07:12 AM
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As I walked through the market, I had noticed this woman working in a tailoring shop, and the beautiful colors that surrounded her. I just HAD to have a picture of her. I walked up to her, my heart beating, braced for rejection...and so, I decided I would start with a compliment, "You are beautiful...can I take your picture?" She smiled and nodded...
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As I walked through the market, I had noticed this woman working in a tailoring shop, and the beautiful colors that surrounded her. I just HAD to have a picture of her. I walked up to her, my heart beating, braced for rejection...and so, I decided I would start with a compliment, "You are beautiful...can I take your picture?" She smiled and nodded...

Jan 05, 2017
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DSC08484 Capture Date: Jan 4, 2017 07:12 AM
Camera:SONY ILCE-5100ISO Speed:800Exposure:1/160 secAperture:f / 4.0Focal Length:30 mmFlash:Did not Fire
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On a 4 hour long trek to Kakum National Forest, with my taxi driver turned tour guide...he knew that I was on the look out for Cacao Pods. After about 3.5hrs of drive time, the car pulled to the side and the driver pointed toward the forest on the right side of the road. He walked me down off the road and into a "chocolate forest". There was cacao pods growing everywhere! 
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On a 4 hour long trek to Kakum National Forest, with my taxi driver turned tour guide...he knew that I was on the look out for Cacao Pods. After about 3.5hrs of drive time, the car pulled to the side and the driver pointed toward the forest on the right side of the road. He walked me down off the road and into a "chocolate forest". There was cacao pods growing everywhere! 

Jan 05, 2017
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DSC08507 Capture Date: Jan 4, 2017 07:12 AM
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As I came out of the cacao forest, back up onto the road, I saw a woman slowly approaching...with a smile so bright, I couldn't help but have the urge to take a photograph. I gestured toward my camera and she continued to smile...I took that as a "yes" and I snapped quickly a photo of this absolute beauty in the forest. 
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As I came out of the cacao forest, back up onto the road, I saw a woman slowly approaching...with a smile so bright, I couldn't help but have the urge to take a photograph. I gestured toward my camera and she continued to smile...I took that as a "yes" and I snapped quickly a photo of this absolute beauty in the forest. 

Jan 05, 2017
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DSC08511 Capture Date: Jan 4, 2017 07:11 AM
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On the way back from Kakum National Forest, where I walked high above the trees on a canopy from tree to tree... We (the taxi driver who had now accompanied me not only in the car to drive, but he came with me on my canopy walk, and then on my tour through Elmina Castle) saw beautiful children all over the streets playing, working, sleeping and loving. This particular child caught my eye.
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On the way back from Kakum National Forest, where I walked high above the trees on a canopy from tree to tree... We (the taxi driver who had now accompanied me not only in the car to drive, but he came with me on my canopy walk, and then on my tour through Elmina Castle) saw beautiful children all over the streets playing, working, sleeping and loving. This particular child caught my eye.

Jan 05, 2017
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DSC08565 Capture Date: Jan 4, 2017 07:11 AM
Camera:SONY ILCE-5100ISO Speed:100Exposure:1/500 secAperture:f / 5.6Focal Length:30 mmFlash:Did not Fire
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As I continue to travel, I am always interested in the ways in which motherhood looks in other cultures. In America, mom's tend to be overly cautious and giving their undivided attention to their child. In Ghana, mom's tie up their child to their backs with a beautiful fabric, and get to work. There are no frills. No toys to keep attention. No blankets to keep them warm and cozy. No pacifier to keep them quiet. No snack bag to keep them satisfied. Moms have both hands free, and seeing that...gives me hope that when I am a mom someday, that I too, will be able to not be constrained by the pressures to be the "perfect" mom by needing to have every safety harness and gadget to prove that I am a caring mom.
This mom was not too happy that I took a photograph of her daughter...but I had my taxi driver explain to her why (that she was gorgeous), and then we connected, both half-smiling, as we parted ways...
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As I continue to travel, I am always interested in the ways in which motherhood looks in other cultures. In America, mom's tend to be overly cautious and giving their undivided attention to their child. In Ghana, mom's tie up their child to their backs with a beautiful fabric, and get to work. There are no frills. No toys to keep attention. No blankets to keep them warm and cozy. No pacifier to keep them quiet. No snack bag to keep them satisfied. Moms have both hands free, and seeing that...gives me hope that when I am a mom someday, that I too, will be able to not be constrained by the pressures to be the "perfect" mom by needing to have every safety harness and gadget to prove that I am a caring mom.This mom was not too happy that I took a photograph of her daughter...but I had my taxi driver explain to her why (that she was gorgeous), and then we connected, both half-smiling, as we parted ways...

Jan 05, 2017
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DSC08590 Capture Date: Jan 4, 2017 07:11 AM
Camera:SONY ILCE-5100ISO Speed:125Exposure:1/160 secAperture:f / 4.0Focal Length:30 mmFlash:Did not Fire
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My friend, Kwadwo, helped me to find a Kente Cloth Weaver. This gentleman is 62 years old and has been weaving since he was 12. He explained to me that it is a dying art in Ghana, and that the young people do not want to learn this craft of weaving cloth that was once worn by kings and royalty. He says he weaves daily and enjoys putting together different colors and patterns. 
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My friend, Kwadwo, helped me to find a Kente Cloth Weaver. This gentleman is 62 years old and has been weaving since he was 12. He explained to me that it is a dying art in Ghana, and that the young people do not want to learn this craft of weaving cloth that was once worn by kings and royalty. He says he weaves daily and enjoys putting together different colors and patterns. 

Jan 05, 2017
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DSC08610 Capture Date: Jan 4, 2017 07:10 AM
Camera:SONY ILCE-5100ISO Speed:2500Exposure:1/160 secAperture:f / 4.0Focal Length:30 mmFlash:Did not Fire
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Complicated? I would like to see this set up from the beginning...
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Complicated? I would like to see this set up from the beginning...

Jan 05, 2017
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DSC08615 Capture Date: Jan 4, 2017 07:10 AM
Camera:SONY ILCE-5100ISO Speed:1250Exposure:1/160 secAperture:f / 4.0Focal Length:30 mmFlash:Did not Fire
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He sat, low to the ground, on a wooden stool, with a foam cushion in a small room with a sign outside the door with an arrow saying "Kente Weaver is here today". Focused, he sat, telling me the stories of how he learned the craft of Kente weaving, and how important the craft was to him...he told about traditional patterns, what the colors of the threads meant, and how the kings used to wear the interwoven cloth...
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He sat, low to the ground, on a wooden stool, with a foam cushion in a small room with a sign outside the door with an arrow saying "Kente Weaver is here today". Focused, he sat, telling me the stories of how he learned the craft of Kente weaving, and how important the craft was to him...he told about traditional patterns, what the colors of the threads meant, and how the kings used to wear the interwoven cloth...

Jan 05, 2017
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DSC08617 Capture Date: Jan 4, 2017 07:11 AM
Camera:SONY ILCE-5100ISO Speed:2500Exposure:1/160 secAperture:f / 4.0Focal Length:30 mmFlash:Did not Fire
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AnnieJan 24, 2017 07:58 AM

Love love love the weaving shots (that setup looks totally insane), and the girl on her mom's back.

BlissfulwanderlustFeb 2, 2017 07:52 AM

Thanks Friend! We should take a look at more of them...I have about 50 shots of this gentleman weaving away!

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