Dream Trip 2009

Great Travel Moment

We were driving back from Kumasi, capital of the Ashanti Kingdom in Ghana and took a quick detour to visit an old restored Ashanti place of worship: the Ejisu Besease Shrine. There were no signs, no hordes of tourists, and no fanfare surrounding the shrine - so much the better. Upon arrival we found it padlocked with no one to assist us. We finally caught the attention of the fetish priest who doubled as the caretaker. Once through the old wooden doors, time seemed to have stood still. The artifacts and photos hinted to its very active and magical history; the positive energy was palpable. My wife donned a ceremonial reed skirt and danced with the priest. Nine months later - almost to the day - my wife gave birth to a healthy boy named Liati. No one told us that females go to such shrines to ensure fertility!