Weekends

There was this fellow, Bernoulli, who in the 1700s figured out that the movement of a gas changes its pressure. Since a sail (or an airplane wing) is curved, air moves over its two surfaces at different speeds, generally faster over the outside of the curve, slower over the inside.



I read an article this week that says even a flat barn door can act as a wing, and that it is thus the angle of attack (the angle of the sail/wing relative to the direction of the air flow) rather than curvature that really matters. I ponder these matters from a hammock at the mouth of the Volta.

Go-Karts

A year and a half in Ghana, and this was my first trip to Labadi Beach. Abdul dined on jollof and chicken, while I tried the redfish and chips. We desided to pass on the chance to ride a horse.



Afterward we stopped by the go-kart track in the rear of the Trade Fair. About $8 for 10 minutes, somewhat pricey. Abdul's first time behind the wheel, fortunately the only one on the track. A bit timid at first.



As we were leaving, a group of perhaps 10 teenagers arrived. Abdul mused it would be more interesting to race. We'll invite Moses next time.

MLK Day

W.E.B. DuBois spent his last years in Ghana living within an easy walk of my home in Accra. His house is now a museum. His gravesite is on the grounds. There's also an art center, restaurant, and outdoor stage.



The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity's, Professor Ralph Johnson (center) of Johns Hopkins University presented a plaque to the DuBois Centre during Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations this year. Professor Anne Adams (right), Director of the Centre, received the plaque. Assisting was Professor Robert Harris Jr. of Cornell (left) who also offered a 15 minute address entitled "MLK and African Liberation."



The U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Pamela Bridgewater, announced winners of a school contest. Students wrote poems and essays in honor of Dr. King.



A prize was also offered for the best painting. Judges included distinguished Ghanaian academics as well as a visiting scholar from the U.S., Kwame Zulu Shabazz (frontmost photographer).



Some of the students made presentations about their award-winning creations. Afterward, DuBois Centre staff served ice cream and cakes in the main hall of the museum.

Goat Stew

Harmattan winds are strong this year, causing the giant Kakum Forest trees to sway, sometimes in the same direction, sometimes not. As two trees happen to sway away from each other, the canopy walk strung between them is pulled taut, the center rising like a fast elevator to its highest point, only to reverse direction suddenly as the trees reverse course and come together again. For the strong of heart, it's unexpectedly exhilerating.



It's kind of a standard tour in Ghana, particularly for those visiting just for a few days. Canopy walk, then the castles, a beach or two. Standard because it's good. The Cape Coast Castle has a fine museum, and the docents do superb tours.



Brother and I stopped off at the Aburi Botanical Gardens on the way home, checking out the canteen for some local cuisine. If you're a fan of Louisiana cooking, you'll feel right at home in Ghana.