I got busted this morning by the housekeeping staff at the hostel for sneaking a load of laundry into the hostel's washing machine (washing is strictly forbidden when the "washing man" isn't here to operate the machine). Terri, I know you told me not to, but I had to try. It's kind of laughable when you think about it—the fact that they hire someone to punch buttons on a washing machine. Has he fooled everyone into thinking it’s that difficult to select a water temperature and a load-size? Anyway, I was caught using the machine and I think the housekeepers "reported” me to the hostel management, so we'll see what happens when I get back today ☺
Jesse calls me "Johnny Law” at home, because I have an extreme aversion to rule-breaking. All kinds of rule-breaking, no matter how big or small—the failure to make a complete stop at a stop sign, the burning and sharing of a CD of music—make me anxious. It’s not that I think rules are inherently right, or inherently make one safer, it’s this fear I have of being caught. It’s not quite paralyzing, but it can come close.
As you can imagine, a state of sheer panic came over me today when I met eyes with the housekeeping lady who busted me squirting detergent into the machine. Then I thought about it (for no more than 10 seconds as I stared at her, realizing my lack of an escape route), and I realized the fear I felt in that moment of being busted was going to be completely offset by the delayed gratification of knowing that my tank tops were going to smell remotely clean this time. So, I shut the lid of the machine, pressed the final button, and walked out of the laundry room without a word to her. Eeeh…let's hope they don't short-sheet my bed tonight.
Aside from that little snafu, it’s been a great day. I decided to take a trotro-trek down to the “La Palm,” a hotel at Labadi beach, located on the outskirts of downtown Accra. I didn’t really have an agenda when I started my jaunt down here, but Nick, Andy, and Kim (the Tufts folks) had talked about the place so much that I had to see it for myself. When I got here, I decided to snag a bite at the restaurant only to find that they were having a Sunday buffet. I couldn’t help myself! I saw the green salad bar, the squash, the flan, and I quickly shelled over the (relatively) exorbitant price of $20 and ate until I couldn’t eat any more. I completely justified it in my brain by telling myself that I needed some vegetables (and of course telling myself that I would skip dinner so as to compensate financially). It was amazing. I wouldn't take it back for anything. I mean, if I get sick tomorrow because of the ice in my juice or the bad water used to rinse the lettuce, then I may sing a different tune, but for now I'm really happy with my decision.
I’m now sitting at La Palm, charging the juice in my computer’s battery, and writing this little entry along with a few belated e-mails. The pool is closed today for maintenance, but I can see myself back here some other day for a dip. The ocean below is loud and gray, with only a few folks wandering the shore, but it’s fantastic to be so close to the water and hear it all the same.
I'm attaching some photos to today's blog that have absolutely nothing to do with today. Sorry to be so remiss on the photo-posting. These are from our times at the Cape Coast Castle, Kakum National Forest, and Kumasi (where we ate dinner with my friend, Alberta, and her family).
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