It's no hockey game, but it'll do!

Good afternoon! I hope that everyone's Easter weekend was filled with good times, yummy chocolate and maybe even a scrumptous dinner or two. In Ghana, Easter is one of the biggest celebrations, especially in the south which is where I live. If I have not informed you on the religious practices of Ghana, let me pause for a brief second to let you in on a bit of the religious reality. Ghana, and the south in particular, is very very religious; predominantly Christian. The people are very kind and non-abrasive about their passion but it is very evident. The name of shops along the road are titled, "Jesus is Alive Beauty Salon," or my personal favorite, "Jesus' Hands are Clean Hands Restuarant." Every tro-tro either has a plastic photo of Jesus on the side or has a phrase in plastic letters along the rear window that bares a psalm or two. So if you get where I'm going with this, Easter was a frightingly massive celebration! We started off the weekend with a large family dinner on Saturday in which all the staff members from both CCS sites (Ho and Woe) brought their spouse and children. Some staff members have more than one wife (not divorced and remarried, simply more than one wife) so that means more children for them so the number of kids running around the compound was almost indescribable! Sunday morning we all awoke early to head to church. The sight of the street packed with people going to church was incredible in itself. It looked as though the entire town was picking up and leaving but in their best dresses and traditional cloths. We walked for about 30 minutes to a Roman Catholic Church where the first hour of mass was conducted as any RC mass would be but the second half of mass, however, was absolutely astonishing! Massive drums were brought into the church and every man, woman and child dance for the remaining two hours of church. The singing and rhythm will stick with me, as it was so well done! After lunch, we headed to the soccer pitch down the road where the CCS team was challenging the village of Woe. There were easily 1000 people in attendance and although it is with great apprehension that I take this position, I'd have to say that the cheering and intensity at this small match was superior to any Oiler game. Yes, I realize I am taking quite a risk saying that, for I could lose my family and friends back home, but it's true! Ghanians love their soccer (or football as it's properly called) and it was very evident on Sunday. The match was very evenly played until the second half when CCS took the lead to win the game 3-2. From that point on, it was just one big party in the street until night time! Monday morning gave everyone a few hours to rest, as the previous day's excitement was quite tiring! The CCS staff told us that there would be something going on at the beach in the afternoon so we slowly got our day together and strolled down to the beach only to find about 2000 people having yet another party, this time on the beach. When I say party, it's not like home where there are alcoholic drinks all around and a fight breaks out towards the end. It's a light hearted celebration where anyone who posesses a drum, rattle or bell brings it to the beach and together with all the fellow villagers, we dance and dance until the sun sets. Overall, it was an action packed weekend (for Ghanian standards) and very pleasant!