What the Water Gave Me

Way back in November, just a few days after my dear friend John left Ghana and also just a few days after my first experience with food poisoning, I went to Lake Bosumtwi for a little weekend getaway with another amazing friend Leanne.  

We hired a taxi driver that I know well and headed out early so that we could stop in Kumasi to get some authentic Kente fabric.  Upon our arrival in Kumasi, Leanne, who had already been to the Kumasi market suggested another option since the market there is, oh what word to use, CRAZY!!!

Off we went...

(sculpture of Adinkra symbol for the ram's horns) 

I got an amazing painting that I can't wait to hang on my wall and found a few gifts for people I love. We browsed for a couple of hours thinking we had plenty of time.  Suddenly the afternoon was upon us and we had to head to the lake if we wanted to make it there before dark.  

(Church on the way to the lake)

(dowtown Kumasi - it is sooooooo busy) 

(A little God-fearing or rearing, not sure, never hurt anybody right?) 

(sunset)

The sun is setting and we are still not there.  Francis, the taxi driver, was not happy about this.  When we finally got to the turn off to get to the lake he did not want to continue, convinced that we were going the wrong way and that his car was going to bottom out.  Leanne and I were sure we were on the right track and got him to continue, thinking he was exaggerating a bit.  He was.  We arrived safe and sound, and the car too.  We had a lovely vegan meal which was exactly what my belly needed to get over the illness I had felt a few days back.  After diner, we chatted then went to bed looking forward to the next day in our already ubber relaxing weekend spot. 

The next morning we woke up to this...

(view from the breakfast table)

(it was cloudy in the morning and nice and cool but it quickly cleared and heated up)

Lake Bosumtwi (also spelled Bosomtwe), situated within an ancient meteorite impact crater, is approximately 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) across and the only natural lake in Ghana.^[1] It is situated about 30 km south-east of Kumasi and is a popular recreational area. There are about 30 villages near this crater lake, with a combined population of about 70,000 people.

The Ashanti consider Bosumtwi a sacred lake. According to traditional belief, the souls of the dead come here to bid farewell to the god Twi. Because of this, it is considered permissible to fish in the lake only from wooden planks. (Source: Wikipedia)

(what looks like a log there in the water are the only boats that are aloud on the lake) 

Ah yes, did I mention that the goal of this trip was to go horseback riding?  It was!  Horseback riding has been on my "bucket list" for a very long time.  I was excited when I found out that The Green Ranch had horses and it was by a lake.  Coming from a municipality with over 300 lakes I realized when I saw it how calming they are and how much they are a part of me.  Leanne and I decided on the 3 hour ride through a coco plantation and down by the water. I was so happy that my first horse riding experience was going to be in such a beautiful spot. It was lovely!!!

(me and my Beads of Hope bracelets on my horse Gaia)

(plank boats by the water)

(Leanne and I on our horses during a snack break - although the horses kept stopping to snack along the way) 

(Leanne and our super cool host Élodie.  She owns the Green Ranch, is from France, is vegan and is SUPER nice!!!)

(some coco drying in the sun)

(village around the lake)

(red earth)

(through the palm trees)

(a little cooling off)

(horses snacking again after our ride and Leanne hydrating)

(horse hug)

(this is one of the amazingly delicious meals I ate at the Green Ranch.  Lentils with rice and vegetable stew) 

This weekend away was so rejuvenating.  Our hosts were generous, the company was lovely, the food was amazing, the ride was awesome.  I said that I was going to try to go back if I could but alas my time in Ghana is ending soon and I'm afraid I won't make it. The only thing I can do is suggest to anyone that is looking for a lovely Ghana experience go to the Green Ranch.  

Leanne said something to me while we were there and I thought it was so wise.  She said that, often, women want these beautiful romantic experiences. We would so wish the men in our lives took more opportunities to light candles, organize weekend getaways, go for picnics, etc. But, most of the time we end up doing these things with our closest girlfriends.  We both agreed that that was ok.  We should celebrate that more.  Acknowledge that we can provide that for each other without poopooing on the men for not doing as much as we would like.  Accepting that those moments are just as wonderful.  Enjoying what each relationship brings to our lives not based on our expectations of them but on what they actually are and can be.  All in all it was a wonderful weekend and one that I will cherish forever.

So off home we went.   

(don't forget)