...just birds and bees and flowers...

I love this line from Roy Ayers' Everybody Loves the Sunshine. It reminds me of lazy afternoon picnics in the park and blurry Pimms-filled evenings. This past summer was just not long enough. But no matter because I am going to Sun. Yes, in just one week, my feet will touch down on Ghana soil. Ah...my days will be filled with noisy heat and laughter; my evenings will vibrate with crickets and croaking sounds. I hear the electricity service is still erratic inspite of the rapid development every where. They say the women are more beautiful than ever, and the men more outrageous. There must be new fashions, new trends. I left as a teenager, I am a bit older now. Will I understand the new slang? Do I even know my way around town? Hmm. I want to spy on clubbers as they dance to the latest sounds, gawp at young girls as they turn down eager suitors only to give in to them after a few more tries. I want to hear that sound; that special whispering sound of palm fronds in the breeze. I long to sink my feet in the sea water then marvel at barefooted young boys as they shimmy up a smooth coconut tree. I want to drive past Stevie Wonder's house and pretend I'm not excited. I want to blend in yet, I want to bore everyone with my tales of how good it feels to be coming back to the Sun.

Pink, red and orange flowers; sunbirds, green pigeons, Diana monkeys. A woman balancing oranges for sale on her head; young boys swimming in the lagoon; school children reciting their two times tables. I am preparing my eyes to store up images; my mouth waters when I think of the food....I can't wait to leave. Can't wait, can't wait.