1. I am excellent at bargaining
2. My first impressions of people can be way off
3. Spicy food isn't so bad
4. Eating fish or lamb or goat won't kill me
5. It takes me about 2 and a half weeks before people who aren't my cup of tea to truly drive me crazy.
6. Being friendly gets you far
7. Sometimes, hard work does get recognized
8. the term Obruni is endearing
9. God brings you where you are needed and introduces you to people that you need in your life
10. Faith and worship is universal. I love that so much
11. I, and almost everyone in the US as well, am spoiled beyond belief.
12. Running water is a blessing.
13. Hot running water is truly a great privilege
14. Nothing makes me happier than being able to help a child, see them smile, and hear them tell me they love me.
15. I took too many things to count for granted back home that I will never take for granted again
16. I could never ever drive in Ghana
17. Ghanaian drivers can turn a two lane dirt road into a 5 lane super highway
18. Americans are very far behind in fashion
19. You should add at the very least an hour onto any time estimation that a Ghanaian gives you because there's no rush in life
20. I am meant to teach, and teach internationally at that
21. Everyone deserves a second chance, whether it be in education or just when it comes to letting people into my life
22. Tro Tros are the most convenient, cheap, uncomfortable forms of transportation ever
23. Adrinkas are my new obsession.
24. My family and friends are here for me always, even if I'm half way around the world
25. Four weeks is all it took to change my life.
Quite obviously, I've learned so much more, but I think these 25 are good for now :)
Peace and love.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Cape Coast
Today is our last day after spending the weekend in cape coast, and I can honestly say if I could pick up my family and friends and bring them here with me, I would live out my life here. We have been staying at coconut grove beach resort and it is so gorgeous here. Nothing but palm trees and white sand beaches :)
On Friday, we went to two different slave castles, Elmina and Cape Coast, and it was truly one of the most sobering experiences of my life. I can't even describe it but if anyone ever comes to Ghana, you have to go to Elmina castle undoubtedly. It was life changing.
On Saturday, we did a tree top canopy tour through the rainforest and it was amazing!!!! We were literally suspended hundreds of feet above the rainforest on the long wooden planks held up by nets. It was so thrilling and so beautiful. I am so excited to post pictures.
It's hard to write this journal entry because I know that it is the last one that I will write about the weekend experiences I've had. But I am looking forward to writing a post about what I've learned about myself and life in general.
I am do happy knowing that I get to see my family on Tuesday and my friends soon after. I got everyone some great souvenirs ;)
Peace and love.
On Friday, we went to two different slave castles, Elmina and Cape Coast, and it was truly one of the most sobering experiences of my life. I can't even describe it but if anyone ever comes to Ghana, you have to go to Elmina castle undoubtedly. It was life changing.
On Saturday, we did a tree top canopy tour through the rainforest and it was amazing!!!! We were literally suspended hundreds of feet above the rainforest on the long wooden planks held up by nets. It was so thrilling and so beautiful. I am so excited to post pictures.
It's hard to write this journal entry because I know that it is the last one that I will write about the weekend experiences I've had. But I am looking forward to writing a post about what I've learned about myself and life in general.
I am do happy knowing that I get to see my family on Tuesday and my friends soon after. I got everyone some great souvenirs ;)
Peace and love.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Kumasi part 2
So I figured that I had a lot more to say about our weekend in Kumasi so here it goes...
First of all, words cannot describe how beautiful Kumasi actually is. It is about a 4 hour drive from Accra through mountains and the most beautiful greenery, it's so hard to pay attention to anything but the amazing landscape.
First thing this morning, we went to the Okomfo Anokye sword site, which relates to the king's palace that we visited yesterday. Essentially, legend has it that the first Ashanti king buried the sword in the ground and it cannot be removed or the Ashanti dynasty will collapse and turmoil will ensue if someone is able to do so. It was cool to put a visual to something we learned about yesterday.
We went back to the cultural arts center today too and I finally finished gift shopping for everyone (including myself, although its going to be a challenge to not buy anything else. I love everything!). I liked this cultural arts center much better than the one we've gone to in Accra only because I felt like I wasn't being attacked by every shop owner. The people seemed much nicer to us "obrunis".
As for last night, it was a blast and break that we absolutely needed. The manager hooked us up and we essentially got to have our own private party by the pool. Everyone just got to let loose, and I think everyone needed that badly.
I am writing this on the bus back to Accra now, and I have my fingers crossed that we still will get to make it to the fantasy coffin workshop today because I've honestly been looking forward to it since my first night here. But if it doesn't happen today, I will make it happen before I leave in 9 days!
First of all, words cannot describe how beautiful Kumasi actually is. It is about a 4 hour drive from Accra through mountains and the most beautiful greenery, it's so hard to pay attention to anything but the amazing landscape.
First thing this morning, we went to the Okomfo Anokye sword site, which relates to the king's palace that we visited yesterday. Essentially, legend has it that the first Ashanti king buried the sword in the ground and it cannot be removed or the Ashanti dynasty will collapse and turmoil will ensue if someone is able to do so. It was cool to put a visual to something we learned about yesterday.
We went back to the cultural arts center today too and I finally finished gift shopping for everyone (including myself, although its going to be a challenge to not buy anything else. I love everything!). I liked this cultural arts center much better than the one we've gone to in Accra only because I felt like I wasn't being attacked by every shop owner. The people seemed much nicer to us "obrunis".
As for last night, it was a blast and break that we absolutely needed. The manager hooked us up and we essentially got to have our own private party by the pool. Everyone just got to let loose, and I think everyone needed that badly.
I am writing this on the bus back to Accra now, and I have my fingers crossed that we still will get to make it to the fantasy coffin workshop today because I've honestly been looking forward to it since my first night here. But if it doesn't happen today, I will make it happen before I leave in 9 days!
Ohhhh Obruni....random thoughts
There is something that I would love to explain, only because it was so new to me. For about my first week in Ghana, I often heard people calling Obruni out as we passed by and I was so confused. I has no idea what it meant or whether or not I should be offended. Turns out that I shouldn't be, because it really just means "white foreigner" or even just "foreigner" in general. At the same time, being an Obruni comes with its stereotypes, like that we're loaded, not the broke college or graduate students that most of us are. For example, we were in a cab the other day and this woman said something about Obrunis in Twi to our driver, and I asked him what she said and he told me she said that he was a rich man because he was driving us around. We've really just learned to go with it and we lovingly refer to ourselves as Obrunis.
I'm not going to lie, it is strange being a part of the vast minority. I know it may a bit hypocritical of me to say, as people watching is one of my favorite activities, but I don't think I will ever get used to the staring. Although at the same time, I do understand it. We dress differently, some of us are white, and I still don't think I've seen another blonde haha. I will say one thing though, I've only been treated with true kindness and have felt welcomed everywhere we have gone.
In fact, at the church we went to last week, and are going back to tomorrow, personally welcomed us and sang a song for us. It was so amazing!
I'm having a hard time coping with the fact that the trip is winding down. It seems like just yesterday that I applied and now I'm coming up on my last week. So unreal. This has been hands down the most incredible, life changing experience of my life, and I feel so lucky that I still have the time left here that I do. This really is just the most amazing place that I've ever been to.
Ps everyone here is WAY more fashionable here than in the states. I love it :)
Pps just bought some sugar kane. It is amazing!!!!! Everything is made with real sugar here, which is probably why I love fan ice so much!
I'm not going to lie, it is strange being a part of the vast minority. I know it may a bit hypocritical of me to say, as people watching is one of my favorite activities, but I don't think I will ever get used to the staring. Although at the same time, I do understand it. We dress differently, some of us are white, and I still don't think I've seen another blonde haha. I will say one thing though, I've only been treated with true kindness and have felt welcomed everywhere we have gone.
In fact, at the church we went to last week, and are going back to tomorrow, personally welcomed us and sang a song for us. It was so amazing!
I'm having a hard time coping with the fact that the trip is winding down. It seems like just yesterday that I applied and now I'm coming up on my last week. So unreal. This has been hands down the most incredible, life changing experience of my life, and I feel so lucky that I still have the time left here that I do. This really is just the most amazing place that I've ever been to.
Ps everyone here is WAY more fashionable here than in the states. I love it :)
Pps just bought some sugar kane. It is amazing!!!!! Everything is made with real sugar here, which is probably why I love fan ice so much!
Friday, July 13, 2012
Kumasi
Kumasi is amazing. And that is a complete understatement.
Today, we started our morning at the King's Palace where we were able to see all of the relics of the Ashanti kings (minus to golden stool of course). It was really fascinating I wish I was able to take pictures but it's not allowed :( after we went to another cultural arts center but only got to stay for a short t time but were going back in the morning :) we also went to a place where they make kente which was super cool so of course I had to buy a kente purse :)
Tomorrow after we go to the cultural arts center again, we're going to a place where they make "fantasy" coffins. It'll be so much easier to explain with pictures but I am soo stoked!!!
I love Kumasi and I love Ghana but I miss my amazing family and friends more and more each day (not to mention Starbucks, portillos, and Lou's ;))
Kill them with kindness
Peace and love
Today, we started our morning at the King's Palace where we were able to see all of the relics of the Ashanti kings (minus to golden stool of course). It was really fascinating I wish I was able to take pictures but it's not allowed :( after we went to another cultural arts center but only got to stay for a short t time but were going back in the morning :) we also went to a place where they make kente which was super cool so of course I had to buy a kente purse :)
Tomorrow after we go to the cultural arts center again, we're going to a place where they make "fantasy" coffins. It'll be so much easier to explain with pictures but I am soo stoked!!!
I love Kumasi and I love Ghana but I miss my amazing family and friends more and more each day (not to mention Starbucks, portillos, and Lou's ;))
Kill them with kindness
Peace and love
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Catch up post
I've been super busy since we've returned from HoHoe, and have little to no access to Internet doesn't help.
Everything at BASICS has been great. I'm not going to lie, the language barrier between the transition students is frustrating, especially since the translator quit. Other than that, it has been amazing introducing the children to new methods of learning and helping to keep them in school and interested in learning.
Last weekend, we had our only free weekend in Accra, which was fun. We went to the cultural arts center last Monday and again on Sunday, which was fun. I have to say though, the men who run the shops automatically think "stupid Americans" when they see us and try to rip us off, but I drive a hard bargain (thanks mom. I learned from the best).
On Saturday, we went to medena market. I'm not even sure that's how it's spelled but that's besides the point. All I can say about that is that it was an experience. Not bad, but I'm not sure I would ever go again. It was fascinating though to see how people from this region shop in the markets.
Right now, I am in kumasi, and I feel like I'm living the life of luxury. We have running water, warm(ish) showers and Internet, which I feel so privileged to have.
I love this country so much, but I'm also starting to get ready to come home. I live with a few mean girls and it makes me miss the people who love me unconditionally. I'll post more pictures soon :)
Peace and love
Everything at BASICS has been great. I'm not going to lie, the language barrier between the transition students is frustrating, especially since the translator quit. Other than that, it has been amazing introducing the children to new methods of learning and helping to keep them in school and interested in learning.
Last weekend, we had our only free weekend in Accra, which was fun. We went to the cultural arts center last Monday and again on Sunday, which was fun. I have to say though, the men who run the shops automatically think "stupid Americans" when they see us and try to rip us off, but I drive a hard bargain (thanks mom. I learned from the best).
On Saturday, we went to medena market. I'm not even sure that's how it's spelled but that's besides the point. All I can say about that is that it was an experience. Not bad, but I'm not sure I would ever go again. It was fascinating though to see how people from this region shop in the markets.
Right now, I am in kumasi, and I feel like I'm living the life of luxury. We have running water, warm(ish) showers and Internet, which I feel so privileged to have.
I love this country so much, but I'm also starting to get ready to come home. I live with a few mean girls and it makes me miss the people who love me unconditionally. I'll post more pictures soon :)
Peace and love
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Teaser Pictures :)
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| dancing at a music shop |
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| the group in HoHoe |
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| The group and some students |
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| Top of Afadjato |
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| Standing at the tallest point in Ghana |
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| feeding monkeys at the monkey sanctuary |
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| waterfall |
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| learning to play the drums :) |
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