Friday, September 11, 2009

We made it to see the King of Axim (Lower)

It was a day of driving through Accra and then along the coast to Axim. We spent the first portion of the day looking for safety cones and paint for Rod's surveying. After dodging thousands of people along side the road not to mention all of the cars that looked like they wanted to t bone us we made it to the open road. We stopped in at the Poly Tech School in Takradi to see about a joint venture with Students so they can get some practical experience. At each place we stop there is a formal initial meeting with introductions as you sit neatly in a row of chairs, and then down to the subject at hand. At the Poly tech we were greeted by all of the deans of the engineering departments as well as the Director of the school of 8,000 students. Rather than a couple to help with the surveying they will be coming in a mini bus of 10 per day to observe our activities - essentially we will be giving classes as well as gathering information, but it is a great association to have. Then on to Axim where we are driven straight to the King's palace and await his calling us to a formal meeting in the grounds by the palace and we are introduced. Afterward, in an informal setting, he jokes and laughs about the constant meetings he has to make during the festival, this was just the warm up for tomorrow when we will be introduced to the entire town on the closing day of the festival. We have done some serious meeting and talking and traveling all in the aim to develop relationships - but come Sunday we start the field trip in earnest, tape measures and survey rods and all.

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