Junie's Online Thoughts
Thursday, September 04, 2003
Here's my lesson. The first time you take a camera into the market, it goes something like this: Excuse me, sister. Can I snap a photo of your fish?
No. (To which I walk away.)
The second time you take a camera into the market, it becomes this: Excuse me sister. Can I snap a photo of your fish?
Pay me 20,000 cedis.
But you are not in the picture.
Pay me 20,000. (To which I walk away.)
The third time you take a camera into the market, with Jeremy doing the talking, it becomes this: Excuse me sister. My wife would like to snap a photo of your fish.
Okay! That's fine. I love you! Why dont you take a photo of these crabs too! And how about my tomatoes. Or what about me? Take a photo of me!!!
See....the trick is to bring Jeremy along. Everyone LOVES him here.
I got some kickass photos of all the good stuff in the market. Very relaxed and easy.
We met up with friends for Ethiopian last night. Yum.
Today we trekked to Keneshie so I could buy a gift, we bought a few fabrics and I took two shots of the market from the overpass. Its raining now....makes me want to sleep. But we're meeting more folks for dinner tonight, then going to a jazz club. This busy schedule poops me out!!!! Otherwise...life is good. Lots to do....but having fun.
Tuesday, September 02, 2003
Today I went to Makola with the hopes of getting a bunch of photos. Turns out it was a nearly impossible task. I want to be ethical and ask permission before I shoot, but in doing so, I lose a lot of chances if the people dont want to be photographed. About 75% of the folks today down right refused. Others wanted a large sum of money just for me to take a picture of what they were selling (not even them!) I bargained a few down to a reasonable amount, but mostly had to walk away with no pictures....the ones I really wanted wouldnt agree. Im going to try again tomorrow with Jeremy, in case its a language barrier and he can ask for me in Twi. Im willing to pay 5,000 cedis, but not the 10,000 or 20,000 some were asking for. If they were in the picture, I would pay them more, but if its just a tray of chili peppers, Im not going to pay that much.
Anyway, bought a few presents, grew increasingly frustrated. (I wanted to take a bunch with a doll version of my friend, but that presents a whole other set of problems. Some people will laugh or be curious about the doll, but others freak out, thinking its some sort of witchcraft or juju...and I dont want to blow my chance for a shot after so much negotiating. I'll try Keneshie on Thursday, but may just give up before getting the ones I really really want (these gross big folds of animal skin, dried fishes, pigs feet, cola nuts, filleted dried grasscutter, and a few others.) In some ways, its easier to just take photos and not ask first...but I feel too bad for that. I wish sometimes I didnt.
Jeremy didnt feel so good last night, so we didnt go salsa dancing. Instead we stayed home, gave each other pedicures and read to each other. Tonight though, we're going bowling! Im pretty excited. More tomorrow.....
Monday, September 01, 2003
Whew. Im productive girl today. I guess I have to make up for yesterday, when I didnt do squat. Today, I've taken some photos, went to three different banks (none of which had functioning ATM machines, thank you very much), picked up a shirt from a friend so Vera can copy it, walked all the way to Circle, am emailing and still have a long list of things to do: finding some stickers and odds and ends, taking more photos, stopping by Vera's, seeing if the Batik lady has finished my project, working out, figuring out what to make for dinner AND going with Jeremy to salsa dancing lessons tonight.
The whole week is like this....fully booked each day with errands and each night getting together with friends. Gotta pile in all the things Ive been putting off...dancing, going to the casino, seeing an Indian concert, eating out at my favorite restaurants, visiting the new jazz club, having a bbq, going bowling. After this week, its crash time at the beach....I'll need some relaxation!! So I dont know how often I will email this week....be patient with me, as Im feeling a little bit frazzled. I'll try my best to stay in touch.
