In the cycle of life, you meet, fall in love, get engaged and get married. On Saturday I did just that, well technically I did it vicariously through other people.

The weekend just past was the last one of the year so there were lots of weddings. A cousin of mine married his girlfriend on Saturday. I knew he was going to do it, he had told me some months back, so it wasn’t a shock, but I just didn’t have a clue who it was.

Just like most of my male cousins, he’s a bit of a ho, in the four years I have been here I see him with different ladies, so wasn’t exactly sure who the lady walking down the aisle would be. Turns out it was none of the string of ladies who had been waiting for him to pop the question all these years. It was actually a lady he met a few years ago when he was transferred to the Enchi (in the Western Region) and well what can I say, the heart wants what the heart wants.

It was a very simple ceremony, after the I do’s, the couple had a small reception close to the church. I only stayed long enough for a bottle of water however because I had to go and see my cousin who had given birth the day before to a baby boy.

If you ever get sick in Ghana please go to Lister Hospital. It is in Airport Hills (off the Spintex Road). I have to say this is a top class hospital with look and facilities of a hospital you are used to abroad. I have to say I was rather impressed.

In my last job we could only go to Nyarhoo clinic (in Airport Resedential Area) although the expats were able to go to Lister (because they were used to a certain standard I was told). Nyarhoo clinic is also a private clinic owned by individuals who lived outside for a while and came back to run this business. However, although the two clinic’s may the same doctors, I feel that the facilities of Nyarhoo could do with modernization and well with only one operating theatre it is hardly a place you would want to be in when there is an emergency. I would compare Nyarhoo quite honestly to a really bad NHS hospital in England (count yourself lucky folks). But Lister hospital, I have to say I was really impressed. It is like a 4* hotel but with medical equipment.

My cousin had a baby boy weighing 3.2kg and obviously adorable. Everybody was swooning over the baby although he was contently asleep throughout the visit. I could hear a loud ticking sound though while I was there, I realised that it was the biological clocks of the ladies in the room  including myself. Although not jealous, there was a split second where I asked, ‘when is it going to be me?’ but this their time and my time will come all in good time.

After the hospital, we went to an engagement. My friend J, a terrible flirt and the biggest male whore (I mean that with love), finally decided to make an honest woman of his baby mother. The ceremoney though, just like J, came with it’s own set of drama’s.

Normally at the beginning of the ceremony, it is the two families in the room, the man’s family tell the woman’s family of the reason why they are there and offer gifts to the woman and her family in return for her hand in marriage. This is followed by the entering of the man himself and then the lady enters where they ask her that there is a guy who says he likes you, he has offered some gifts, shall we take it.

The two families had, had their discussion and it was now time for J to enter. However J was nowhere to be found, why, because he was at the pub. I would say he was getting some dutch courage but the truth is, that’s just J, he was probably half cut before he arrived. They finally got a hold of him and the ceremony continued.

We arrived a bit late and were waiting outside because they had already started and it’s quite embarrasing when everyone turns out and stares. About an hour later they had finished and the guests came outside. Which meant, I could eat, I hadn’t manage to eat the whole day as we bounced from one place to the next so I was very grateful.

We finished eating and the dancing began. I couldn’t help but notice that the happy couple did not exactly looking over-joyed. In fact it was more like it was forced on the guy and well to be honest the girl never looks happy.

The girl lives in london with their 4 year old daughter. My first encounter with her was when I was there 2 years ago. She had called me up to ask if I could carry some things she had bought for her man. We met in London Bridge, closer to her house than mine mind you I felt bad as she had a kid, and met her one very rainy Thursday I remember I didn’t have an umbrella so had to seek shelter at the first bus stop I could fine. She on the other hand, had got a lift from a friend so basically gave me the stuff and drove off. Didn’t even ask if I wanted a lift to the station.

I met her a year later, she was here in Ghana and I was on my way back from Nigeria. Now I don’t know if it is because she didn’t recoginze me withouth my clothes soaking wet from the rain or if she is just a bit of a cow but when J saw me and gave me a hug, I was met with a stone-cold face, like I had a thing for her man (she has been known to have a jealous streak). I however was raised well and greeted her before getting in my car to go home.

At the party she was polite but still had a face like thunder and was quite cold. I did offer her a note of congratulations, she acknowledged me, however when she was giving out the engagement goody bags, she gave one to the hens who I came with and not me. It is only after her friend handed it back that she gave it to me and even then it was so obvious that I was an afterthough.

I don’t know if it was because the ladies I was with were married and she still feels that I am after her man, but honestly, it was obvious that I would not be seeing my friend J so much anymore because I just can’t deal with such people. Nothing will ever make them happy and well I have other things to think about.

I wish her nothing but the best though. What can I say, it’s not the first lady who thinks her man is the so handsme so, every girl is after so they have to watch me like a hawk in case I creep up and try and attack him, so I just take her like that.

So anyway, it’s Monday, 31st December and another year has come to an end. I wish you all the very best for the new year and every success and happiness.

See you on the other side x