Gave Sunday a day of rest. No Blog.
Well after all there is only so much you can write about doing nothing !! So I gave myself a day off !!!! I did get up early, not by choice just worke up, shitty really but could I do. No way I was going back to sleep. Had a decent lunch and played the old guitar and keyboard but motivation. Whow thats hard to find when you know after 30 miutes or so when you finished some short piece there is still another 12 hours before bed !!!
But here the government system seems to be holding together with still only 214 cases and the death toll has sat unchanged at 5 for a few weeks now. Might be that in a couple of weeks the country will open up again. I said before the place feels differenct, air so clear and the general feel of no dust and absence of wind swept plastic is a welcome change. I still don't know where all the street sellers have gone nor the beggars. Suppose they are managing somewhere else.
It was reported on the local radio yesterday that a soldier shot a civilian apparently by mistake. Seems the local guy tried to argue with a soldier and in the scuffle his rifle, not agun went off and killed the guy. Why oh why does a soldier amonsgt his own people need to be carrying a loaded weapon? Bit scary. Some investigation is apparently going to happen but sure it will all just fizzle out.
Would be good if dear old coraona virus would do the same thing. Just F@#$^&* off. 😀
Monday, 6 April 2020
Saturday, 4 April 2020
Ghana 54 Lock Down Day 6
Its Saturday and I had no plans to write anything today. That was fine until I got a WattsApp from a Mate telling me there is an extension is for another while, Stay Home Another decree from the President.
Only on day 6, image what my rants are going to be like in a few more days. The streets are again very quiet and even the few shops that are open have little trade.
It made me think of all the bars and restaurante etc. Closed. No customers, so I started thinking, no customers means no business means staff not getting paid, suppliers have no buyers etc etc. The links go on and on. And its having knockon effect at work in simple ways as well. We have dispensation to work which is fine, but, of course special arrangements are needed to transport and feed the workers. Street side places which sold food are nearly all closed. Public transport is non exitant and as I said earlier taxis are not really allowed out. All just a big hassle.
Enough ! Wait till I get excited on Monday !!!!!1
Enjoy your weekend and stay safe..... cough cough cough...... 🙏🙏🙏
Only on day 6, image what my rants are going to be like in a few more days. The streets are again very quiet and even the few shops that are open have little trade.
It made me think of all the bars and restaurante etc. Closed. No customers, so I started thinking, no customers means no business means staff not getting paid, suppliers have no buyers etc etc. The links go on and on. And its having knockon effect at work in simple ways as well. We have dispensation to work which is fine, but, of course special arrangements are needed to transport and feed the workers. Street side places which sold food are nearly all closed. Public transport is non exitant and as I said earlier taxis are not really allowed out. All just a big hassle.
Enough ! Wait till I get excited on Monday !!!!!1
Enjoy your weekend and stay safe..... cough cough cough...... 🙏🙏🙏
Friday, 3 April 2020
Ghana 53 Lock Down Day 5
TGIF means so more this time that usual. This weird week sort of working, but not really achieving and no people and lot hand washing and temperature measuring and huddled conference calls keeping distance and wattsapps and more and more bitty things going on and on has been driving me crazy all the week. Even me writing asentance is weird....... A cold beer tonight is looking really good.....
As I say TGIF.
The roads till empty going in.
Couple more days of this and it will be total boredom on my side not seeing any cars or people around.
As I say TGIF.
The roads till empty going in.
All changed on the way back. Fast ride all the way back to end of motorway. Then a 30 minute blockage while one, yes correct one policeman vetted everyone.
Anyone who should not have been there, mainly taxi's were turned round and the passengers left to walk the remaining 2-3 kilometers into town. And its hot. I mean about 30Deg+.
You've just got to love this virus.
Lets see what what weekend brings...
Thursday, 2 April 2020
Ghana 52 Lock Down Day 4
195. Big number. Yesterday I thought 161 was not to bad. Big jump in a day. Is it real? If so why? Are we doing more testing, telling more truths or what? And I'm travelling to work.... All a bit if'i. (not sure thats a word?).
But travelling to work I seem to be about the only one. Probably less visus on the street than in houses !!!! Maybe safest place to be... Theres a thought.
Took this at 7.00am this moring. Empty. Any other time you couldn't see the tarmac as its covered nose to tail with vehilces and street sellers. And the air is fresh, so fresh. I think Accra being on the coast makes a big difference but the actutual lack of movement by people makes you realize what a lot of devastation we cause. So jumping in the car and yes, there's no need to close all windows and put on the air con. Quite amazing. Great feeling. Poor street sellers, where they have gone and how they are coping, I've no idea.
Anyway here we are. Back in the office once more with very quite surroundings. Bit eirie. 😕
I plan to go out on site later today and see what if anything we can actually get achieved for the project in a safe manner. Wonder if in some ways if it is not all counter productve. I know we can in some places work at safe distances away from the local communities and away from other activities resulting in making us fairly self contained. But........... I say that, and only 100 meters away are loads of kids playing football. And if they are not playing contact sport on the pitch they are in their houses which are literally on top of each other. Eitherway they could not get any closer to each other. Seems a bit crazy to me. Maybe more just illogical.
Lets see what Day 5 will bring us..... I'm guessing the local population will start to creep out onto the streets and we'll see a slow build up on getting back to the 'good old' ways. Lets see.
But travelling to work I seem to be about the only one. Probably less visus on the street than in houses !!!! Maybe safest place to be... Theres a thought.
Took this at 7.00am this moring. Empty. Any other time you couldn't see the tarmac as its covered nose to tail with vehilces and street sellers. And the air is fresh, so fresh. I think Accra being on the coast makes a big difference but the actutual lack of movement by people makes you realize what a lot of devastation we cause. So jumping in the car and yes, there's no need to close all windows and put on the air con. Quite amazing. Great feeling. Poor street sellers, where they have gone and how they are coping, I've no idea.
Anyway here we are. Back in the office once more with very quite surroundings. Bit eirie. 😕
I plan to go out on site later today and see what if anything we can actually get achieved for the project in a safe manner. Wonder if in some ways if it is not all counter productve. I know we can in some places work at safe distances away from the local communities and away from other activities resulting in making us fairly self contained. But........... I say that, and only 100 meters away are loads of kids playing football. And if they are not playing contact sport on the pitch they are in their houses which are literally on top of each other. Eitherway they could not get any closer to each other. Seems a bit crazy to me. Maybe more just illogical.
Lets see what Day 5 will bring us..... I'm guessing the local population will start to creep out onto the streets and we'll see a slow build up on getting back to the 'good old' ways. Lets see.
Wednesday, 1 April 2020
Ghana 51 Lock Down Day 3
April the 1st and I've gotten permission to go back to work. Is this a joke ? Well actually no. The Mayor of Tema gives dispensation to several strategic companies and projects to carry on. Ours being one of them. I'm pleased in one way as I did not want to get stuck indoors but also slightly (read highly) anxious about being out and about when not strictly necessary. We jumped in Ghana from 152 cases to 161 today including 5 deaths. Not many in the scheme of things but still a statistic we don't need.
I am working on a port project so you could argue that 50% of my work space perimeter is the sea so my risk drops by 50% ????? Does that make any sense. Not really. Even as I write it, it sounds a bit crazy...... I can only assume..... Or pray.
I've got to take this time in the next few days as an opportunity. Seize the moment as it were. Its a chance for me to catch up with work and focus on how we move forward in a week or 2 from now when things get more back to normal. Or as normal as they will be. Do you think things will return to how they were? I somehow doubt it. We are going to see some new habits, different work practices and socializing will be considerably reduced. That's my take on it.
I'm taking a few photos more to show how empty everything is. Markets have all be sprayed and people only venturing out on an as required basis. Street vendors gone. Do hope we avoid social unrest. Any sign of that and I am locking myself away. Photos of our construction site, offices and surrounding areas. Note:- no one in sight !!!
Right so my driver picked me up at 7.00 this morning. He got to my place by motorbike. Was not stopped. We drove to work. Streets almost empty. Drive is normally 45 mins today easy 30 mins. At the motorway toll only 2 of 8 ticket booths open. And no holdup..... Some police around all assisted by army. My driver did observe the army guys were carrying guns "and why would they need those ?" was his question... I refrained from answering. Enough to concern me without AK47's added into the mix.
Well work... Place is deserted. Few guards on the main gate. Temperature check was made. Mine showed 31.2 degrees. At that I should have been dead , far too cold..... So maybe the batteries are not working or sensor s not calibrated or or ....... Just checked google. I have or an showing signs of hypothermia apparently !!!!!! Whatever the reason another cause for concern as it is clearly a perfunctory test for show.....
The office . Well only two expats are in. Rest staying home till Monday when we get things back up and running. Good side. It gives me time to write this 😊
More tomorrow.
I am working on a port project so you could argue that 50% of my work space perimeter is the sea so my risk drops by 50% ????? Does that make any sense. Not really. Even as I write it, it sounds a bit crazy...... I can only assume..... Or pray.
I've got to take this time in the next few days as an opportunity. Seize the moment as it were. Its a chance for me to catch up with work and focus on how we move forward in a week or 2 from now when things get more back to normal. Or as normal as they will be. Do you think things will return to how they were? I somehow doubt it. We are going to see some new habits, different work practices and socializing will be considerably reduced. That's my take on it.
I'm taking a few photos more to show how empty everything is. Markets have all be sprayed and people only venturing out on an as required basis. Street vendors gone. Do hope we avoid social unrest. Any sign of that and I am locking myself away. Photos of our construction site, offices and surrounding areas. Note:- no one in sight !!!
Right so my driver picked me up at 7.00 this morning. He got to my place by motorbike. Was not stopped. We drove to work. Streets almost empty. Drive is normally 45 mins today easy 30 mins. At the motorway toll only 2 of 8 ticket booths open. And no holdup..... Some police around all assisted by army. My driver did observe the army guys were carrying guns "and why would they need those ?" was his question... I refrained from answering. Enough to concern me without AK47's added into the mix.
Well work... Place is deserted. Few guards on the main gate. Temperature check was made. Mine showed 31.2 degrees. At that I should have been dead , far too cold..... So maybe the batteries are not working or sensor s not calibrated or or ....... Just checked google. I have or an showing signs of hypothermia apparently !!!!!! Whatever the reason another cause for concern as it is clearly a perfunctory test for show.....
The office . Well only two expats are in. Rest staying home till Monday when we get things back up and running. Good side. It gives me time to write this 😊
More tomorrow.
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