It remains to be said, that the whole line or coast is fringed by perpetual surf #QotD

It remains to be said, that the whole line or coast is fringed by perpetual surf. In unusually quiet weather ships' boats may land at Secondi, at El Mina, and at Accra, but at almost all the other places, and, indeed, generally there, a surf boat is necessary for communication between ship and shore.

Good anchorage is to be found at a mile or two from the shore, but the never-ceasing swell causes a monotonous rolling. The range of breakers, however, extends nearly three miles to seaward from Cape Three Points, and at Achowa, at Achowa Point, and at Mumford, the broken water and foul grounds to be avoided for at least 2 1/2 miles from the shore.

Ashanti and the Gold Coast: And what We Know of it: a Sketch by John Charles Dalrymple Hay (1874), p. 18

Hon. Matilda Amissah-Arthur, 2nd Lady of Ghana & keynote at ICADLA4, Accra

Opening ceremony of ICADLA4 in Accra with the Ghana Dance Ensemble

Another Maaha to Accra!

“I’m a Club person myself.” I spoke as proudly as I had heard Ghanaians do. “Ye! Ye! I knew you were okay. I am Club too / Maya Angelou #QotD

Beer preferences were fiercely defended or opposed. The two vying brands were Star and Club. “I’m a Club person myself.” I spoke as proudly as I had heard Ghanaians do. “Ye! Ye! I knew you were okay. I am Club too. All Star drinkers are untrustworthy. Differences between good and bad beer drinkers are stronger than the imperialist introduced divisions between Africans. -- All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes by Maya Angelou

So, I had to stand with Maya and the trustworthy Club drinkers and make my first Ghanian beer a Club!

Maaha Accra!

Now when I was a little chap I had a passion for maps. I would look for hours at South America, or Africa, or Australia, and lose myself in all the glories of exploration. - Conrad #QotD

Now when I was a little chap I had a passion for maps. I would look for hours at South America, or Africa, or Australia, and lose myself in all the glories of exploration. At that time there were many blank spaces on the earth, and when I saw one that looked particularly inviting on a map (but they all look that) I would put my finger on it and say, 'When I grow up I will go there.' The North Pole was one of these places, I remember. Well, I haven't been there yet, and shall not try now. The glamour's off. Other places were scattered about the hemispheres. I have been in some of them, and . . . well, we won't talk about that. But there was one yet--the biggest, the most blank, so to speak--that I had a hankering after.
- Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness (1899, 1902)

Conrad has always been one of my touchstone authors and Heart of Darkness and important and key work for me. And so, off to fill in some blank spaces on my personal globe.

United 932: IAD to FRA

Gate C7

Jefferson Falls mini golf, 46, 3 holes in one

Some photos from the @us_imls #NationalMedal awards ceremony at the White House earlier today with @FLOTUS and @IMLSDirector

I had the honor of being invited to the IMLS National Medal awards earlier today. It was a very well done event with Acting IMLS Director Maura Marx and First Lady Michelle Obama.

We had the opportunity to visit the Vermeil Room, the Library, the China Room as well as the Red, Green, and Blue rooms as well as being treated to music from a Marine Band. The medal ceremony was in the East Room and we had a nice reception in the State Dining Room. (more photos here).



Heading to the reception, the First Lady said that "we were free to take the napkins, but please leave the forks."



More info from the official press release.

* * * * *

Washington, DC – This morning, First Lady Michelle Obama joined the Institute of Museum and Library Services Acting Director Maura Marx to present the 2015 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. Ten institutions from across the country attended the White House Ceremony to be recognized for outstanding service to their communities.

The 2015 National Medal for Museum and Library Service recipients are:

• Amazement Square (Lynchburg, VA)

• Cecil County Public Library (Elkton, MD)

• Craig Public Library (Craig, AK)

• Embudo Valley Library and Community Center (Dixon, NM)

• Los Angeles Public Library (Los Angeles, CA)

• Louisiana Children’s Museum (New Orleans, LA)

• Museum of Northern Arizona (Flagstaff, AZ)

• New York Hall of Science (Queens, NY)

• The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (New York, NY)

• The Tech Museum of Innovation (San Jose, CA)

Nationals vs the hated Atlanta Braves

Finally had to retire my @timbuk2 bag after nearly 5 years & 306,867 miles, 26 states & 21 countries

My Timbuk2 bag finally had to be retired after nearly 5 years of travel. I first got the bag for a trip to Brazil in February 2015 and took it on its last trip (to Palm Beach) in March.

The new Timbuk2 bag (the Uptown model) has a few trips under it's belt (West Coast, Europe, Midwest) and a trip to West Africa coming up.

TOTAL

• February 2010 - March 2015
• 306,867 miles
• 75 airports
• 21 countries
• 26 states

2010
67,535 miles
22 airports
8 countries

2011
41,990 miles
15 airports
3 countries

2012
62,868 miles
27 airports
7 countries

2013
55,346 miles
18 airports
8 countries

2014
70,146 miles
24 airports
9 countries

2015
8,992 miles
7 airports
1 country

"Esse Brasil lindo e trigueiro / É o meu Brasil Brasileiro / Terra de samba e pandeiro / Brasil!" - Ary Barroso #QotD

This Brazil, beautiful and wheaten
Is my Brazilian Brazil
Land of samba and tambourine
Brazil!
- Watercolor of Brazil by Ary Barrosa

Sadly, due to an annoying visa debacle, I am not in the "land of samba and tambourine'!

So, let's spend some timing humming "Aquarela do Brasil", Watercolor of Brazil), known in the English-speaking world simply as "Brazil", is one of the most famous Brazilian songs, written by Ary Barroso in 1939.

Here's a look back at my trip there in 2010. And below, a little Brazilian music: