Penguins and Hawkers in Accra--an Unearthly Combination?

No worries.

Nothing unearthly about plastic/rubber penguins being handled by our very own itinerant vendors! The hawkers are only plying their trade. I can assure you that no animals were harmed in the taking of this picture, and the creation of this scene!;-)

Street-Hawking at Night in Accra

This is so familiar a sight during the evening on the streets of Accra that we probably don't even see it any more.

These hard-working ladies--that comprise what many would consider "the working class"--eke out a living from working almost 24/7.

Come hell or high water, they are here--and mostly it's the women that persevere. The young men hawk mostly chocolates, and small bites--and usually drop off earlier. This woman was still working around 8.30pm, selling sachet water.

Better than selling oneself, some might say!

(good to be back!)

An Appeal to Ghanaian Itinerant Vendors!

If you want to sell something, how about a little smile?

I know the sun is oftentimes scorching and as soon as I get out of this air-conditioned car I will also meet it, but when you smile, I might just somehow not feel too bad not buying it?

In Praise of the Itinerant Ghanaian Water Vendor!

It's a characteristically hot day. Anyone up for some cool "pure" water? Just in case I had not yet touched on it, the so-called pure water is but one of many types of water available. Availability of ice is quite easy, so selling these by the roadside is a staple of the visual Ghanaian diet.

Was just wondering...Ghanaians celebrate the Ghanaian farmer every December, and this year it falls on Friday 4 December, which means Ghanaians get their last public holiday before the Christmas festivities.

Perhaps there should be a day for all the pure water sellers who cool the hearts of motorists every day?

Busy, Busy, Accra!

I guess you can gauge how "busy" this picture looks, what with the peanut-seller in the brown skirt looking for customers as the tro-tros come in and out of the station at the famed "37" station; not excluding the taxis to the right of the picture with door ajar--ready to call out to potential customers...

gotta run...!

A view ofTetteh-Quarshie Interchange, Redux

Hang on. Please don't switch over too soon. Yes, it is yet-another view of Tetteh-Quarshie, but I thought this one was interesting because of the elements in it:

1. The infamous itinerant vendor
2. The signboard indicating that you're going to Accra and Spintex Road
3. The huge (MTN) billboard

How can you deny the beauty of three regular elements in one picture, the quintessence of some of what makes Accra what it is?;-))

Do enjoy the weekend; it's categorically going to be a rainy one this weekend!

The rainy season, unlike last year in 2007 started around April this year.

(pssst: I actually prefer this picture for the greenery of the grass, and the clear, blue sky. I'm strange that way!)

On How Christmas Was(2)

"Where's That Card?"

Another itinerant vendor looks through a pile of...something to sell the driver who is on the verge of speeding off...

Typical scenes every Christmas in Ghana!

Have a good weekend!

Itinerant Vendor in Accra

Brace yourself for anytime you have to come to Accra, for these are some of the vendors--or hawkers--you will meet in the streets of the capital.

This particular one in the red polo is selling lozenges, including Mentos.

Meanwhile, a traffic warden directs traffic.