Signed, Sealed and Delivered by Accra's X-Men

Disappointed by the fact that my usual haunt--Allure SPA--at A&C Shopping Mall had closed down, I decided to find the next best place.

I honestly didn't know "best" was going to mean "expensive", but I must confess: it really was worth it!

Arriving to the place some couple of hundred metres from the said-mall, I walked inside to have the door opened for me.

"Uh-oh!" I thought. That itself must already be 1ghC! I was quickly ushered to a small, albeit snazzy, counter in the corner, with a lovely, young and personable lady explaining almost-everything about what the X-men outfit was going to do to revolutionize the typical barbering experience.

I'm sure you can see:

• Barbering
• Manicure
• Pedicure
• Massage
• Lounge bar!
• Pool table!
• [FREE wireless] Internet!

The exclamation points are certainly my emphasis as that was the last thing I expected. So let us quickly go through my experience:

1. I got a haircut...
2....followed by a clean shave(!) [there was a little stubble...] and after-shave...
3. ...followed by a wash of my hair with shampoo...

4. ...followed by a wash of my face with some sweet-smelling herbs
5....followed by a mini-neck massage...
6...followed by...a clean-cut and clean-shaven me!

I was asked to write my name, and was handed a receipt with my name...and a complimentary sweet!

Paying 12ghc (circa US$8.27 ) might have been comparatively more expensive than the erstwhile 7ghc I used to pay with ALLURE SPA, but in a typically-L'Oreal moment...(pre-2000):


I'm worth it! ;-))

Town Traffic in Accra, but Where's the Solution?

With the great number of cars on the road, is this phenomenon really that inevitable?

What is curious, however, is the number of roadworthy cars that make it on the road and which go on the road in disproportionate fashion to the number of good roads that are built.

Ghana has seen an increase in well-constructed roads all round the country, but the capital seems to suffer the most when these roads are completed. This is because good roads invite more people with cars to use them, especially because they get to their destination in a hassle-free manner.

What's the science for ridding Accra of a considerable degree of traffic other than...more flyovers??

The Bats of "37", The Sequel: "37 Military Hospital"

Remember the Bats of 37?. They're those mammals that don't come out at night, but late evening.

Well, in a rather circuitous manner, I am finally getting to the point of this post--it's about the ever-elusive "37" I keep banging on about. The above post should help clear up matters, but in the meantime, you will find on your left the "Emergency Trauma and Surgical Ward" of the 37 Military hospital. They're still actually building more to this part of the hospital.



This is a close-up of the same department. The first gives you a better panoramic view, and I must say: it's fairly neat.

At a time when the debate over private versus public health care seems to occasionally dominate the news, I want ti emphatically state that 37 military health care is very-much public, but a darn side less expensive and of higher quality than one would expect!


Highly recommended anyday!!

Anyone up for Ghanaian Ironing Boards?

Come on now, let's face it: we all iron, don't we? Or at least we have someone do them for us, right?

Whatever views you hold about it,.it a cardinal activity of almost-every household world-wide is this oft-mundane activity.

At a time when it seems like almost every other product Ghanaians have at their disposal is imported, it is refreshing to know that even these boards can be produced by Ghanaians themselves.

I didn't stop to ask how much one is, but I do know that your bargaining skills have to be this side of acute!;-)

Welcome to the Ghana International Trade Fair Centre Site...

...even if it is in a flash!;-)

Remember you first saw it here on this blog!;-)

Keep your weekend safe!

"Energy Beach Resort"--Mobile Advertising in Ghana?

It's not as if advertising on a car is anything novel even in Ghana.

It's just the manner in which it's been done, and the fact that the car looks a little worse for wear, but the person thought "hey, who cares?"

Only in Ghana indeed!!