Thursday, May 31, 2007

3 Weeks and Continuing Adventures

Hey everyone,

It's that time again to update you on what's been going on this last week.

Let me tell you, there has been so much that has happened that it's really hard to pick and choose what to write about - even in an hour's time!! So, I'll give you what I can, a brief summary if you will :)

The funeral we went to on Saturday was nothing like I've ever seen... it is absolutely opposite of a typical funeral at home. It started early in the morning, piling about 50 people into a bus that really should have only carried 20. People were sitting on top of one another, standing, hanging out of windows and the like to ensure that we could get everyone in. It was crowded to say the least. I had a window seat so it was nice - I got a little fresh air, where others were packed like sardines and sweating 'African style'. When we got to the funeral site, someone's house, we followed a long line of people into a small room where the body was being displayed. Let me tell you, I was not prepared for what I saw. It was a young woman (I was told later she was 29), displayed on a large table, surrounded by flowers and decorations, wearing a white dress (almost wedding dress-like). I wasn't exactly prepared to see my first dead body like that... especially as we all toured around. Women sat around the small room and they were pleased to see us visit the family. Two women were dramatically flailing scarves over the body to ward away flies - she had been dead for a month, but they had kept her in the morgue so that they could prepare the funeral. I later learned that some bodies are kept in the morgue for up to 2 years - not something familiar to me at home.

We were even allowed to take pictures of the young woman, but I couldn't bring myself to do it, I don't think anyone else could either - very taboo in Canada. We spent the next couple of hours surrounded by people in a party-like setting, with music (a live band), singing, dancing, and speeches. It was similar to a wedding, aside from some of the weeping family members. The whole atmosphere however was quite upbeat, I couldn't believe it. I have pictures and some video to show when I get home. The atmosphere was extremely alive. After the funeral ceremony we ended up walking a great distance to the gravesite. It was really hot, the sun was at it's peak (noon - not the best time for everyone to trek a long distance), and I ended up burning my shoulders a little, even though I had my sunscreen on. We made it and we watched the casket be placed into the ground, and a few words were said. By then, people had started departing and heading back to their respected routines. I heard two different stories in regard to how the woman had died, one being that she had been found in the shower area, collapsed with something like a heart attack... and the other, that she was very sick and that was the end of that. I don't know which is true, there's no autopsy so there's no real way to know for sure. She left a 2 year old and a 5 year old behind. It was quite sad. I don't know about a husband, the ceremonies were in all languages but English so it was hard to tell what exactly was being said.

After the long trek back down the road to where we had started from, we picked a cab and took it to Ada Foah, a place not far from Sega (where Godwin, the coordinator lives - sometimes I forget how much I have explained in these, as I have no time to go back and read them). Let me say this, if paradise had a name it would be Ada Foah (or at least the little beachfront hotel we found there). It was absolutely stunning, screen saver worthy if there was ever a definition. We trekked through SO much sand to get there, but the walk was worthwhile. The palm trees, the ocean, the little thatched huts, it was all worth it. I haven't seen anything as gorgeous as this place, and we spent the night for 70,000cedis - 35,000 per person - 2 to a room, which is approximately $4 or so. Paradise never came so cheap! It was picture perfect, with white sand, roaring waves, and a beautiful estuary to swim. We spent the rest of Saturday in the sun, and enjoying the heat. We were all there except one, Natalie who had some things she was doing at her host placement that weekend. Meghan and I shared a room which consisted of a chair, and a mattress with a sheet on it that was directly on the sand... we had to be careful of crabs walking around and crawling on the bed. Although she and I did not feel any in the night, Heidi, next to us in our small thatched hut, said she felt some form of shell legs on her at some point in the night. Something I'm glad I didn't have to deal with ;)

We were celebrating Heidi's birthday so we had a few beers and enjoyed the evening by a roaring fire watching a number of local children (in costume mindyou) do a dance to some rhythmic drumming - it was quite neat to see, regardless of how tired I was from the sun. I crashed around 10:30pm, which is really late compared to when I usually go to bed, 7:30-8pm. The next day, we played in the huge ocean waves, trying not to let them take us away with them as the undercurrent was extremely strong, a little scary at times. All of us got thrown a few times by them back to the beach, dragging a few parts of the body along the sand - a little painful too, but a lot of fun regardless. The sun wasn't out Sunday, but it was still quite warm, until it rained. And boy did it rain, it just poured and cooled the whole place down so quickly. I was actually quite cold and put two shirts on, a huge difference from the day before when my skin seared in the sun! Meghan got near hypothermia she was so cold ;) She was wrapped in everything we could find, it wasn't exactly pleasant, but no one thought to bring more than our comfy beachware since it had been so hot out, and no one wanted to pack sweaters in the SLIGHT chance that it may be cool. Oh well.

We took a boat across the water to the town to get a cab back to Sega. 9 of us packed into a small car made to fit 4 or 5. It was a tight squeeze but we managed and paid quite a bit less each because of it. If only the cabbies at home would let us do that!

Oh funny story - I don't know if I mentioned this already, but I found a dead wall-geko in my journal!! I closed the book one day and the poor thing got caught in between the pages and I found it later... oh it was disgusting and fascinating at the same time, because it was absolutely perfectly preserved in my book! You could see all the fingers and toes, the tail, everything so clearly. I would have kept it if it hadn't started to make everything smell so bad. I laughed so hard with Meghan when I found it - it was so gross but so cool at the same time. I'm glad I got rid of it, but I dedicated the page to it's memory - R.I.P. Wall Gecko I found in my journal...

There is so much going on in my head these days - I'm still struggling with my "kp" sound but it's coming along, and I'm learning alot in Dangme, surprisingly alot actually! My hosts are quite impressed, and often laugh, even though they're so proud and so pleased that I'm learning so much! It's been great entertainment. I also find myself struggling with what my role is here in this community. The teachers cane the students (wack them with big sticks) for a number of different reasons. I really don't like it, and they know it, but I'm struggling with what my responsibility is in saying something, or not saying something as I do not want to accentuate "cultural invasion". My intention is not to force my values, beliefs, etc. on the people I encounter, but to learn from them, to work with them, to establish relationships, not change the way they do things... but I'm personally struggling because it is hard to see children get wacked when they do not get an answer correct. I'll have to do some more self reflection and reading, and talking about it in order to really understand what my role is here in this context.

On a lighter note, I'm getting some really nice colour! I joke with everyone that by August I'll be black if my skin keeps getting any darker!! I've also told everyone that I want to be able to carry a bucket of water on my head without my hands, carry a child on my back, and learn as much Dangme as I possibly can. Those are 3 important goals for me.

Oh, and one big one; I am developing a group for HIV/AIDS awareness in the school. The goal is to have a group of student educators who are capable of speaking about HIV/AIDS to their peers as well as to others in the community. I think that it is crucial that students are able to speak about HIV/AIDS and that they are able to pass their knowledge on to others in their community. Right now there is no such group, no such information is available. The ultimate goal would be to establish a group that will be able to continue each year, to ensure that HIV/AIDS education persists over time. I often tell the students as I talk to them, that HIV/AIDS education is not only here because I'm here; when I leave, it will still be in Africa, in Ghana, in their community, and that they have the opportunity to do something about it. Some students are really interested in getting information. It'll take the whole rest of the trip to really get organized though, and to try and get these students comfortable speaking about HIV/AIDS, teaching it, and knowing it with confidence. It's a big goal, but I've got some supporters. I'd like to make a banner for them (about $10 or so) by the end of my stay as a gift, if all goes well.

I've got some healthy endeavours here - I'm excited.

I called my dad on his birthday on Monday - boy was he shocked, I don't think I've ever heard him so surprised, even over the phone I could tell! I miss my family and friends muchly, but I know everyone is doing well and that they are sending their love. Africa is sending it's love too, and these Ghanaians are wishing nothing but the best for everyone in Canada :)

Oh - on a side note, I found the mother spider that gave birth in my room last week... the one with a hundred babies all over my walls... I wasn't impressed with that, but killed them... I got the mother yesterday. I thought it was all said and done with until someone mentioned there was probably a father. Damn. I'll have to keep my eyes open for that one ;)

I'm not travelling this weekend, I'm looking forward to it actually - I just want to stay in Kpong, maybe visit the market again. I went briefly yesterday to check it out. I have to take a tro-tro to get there, but it really isn't too far. Children were touching me though in the market, literally walking up to me and running their hands down my arms - white skin feels different? It was a little eerie but I just shake my head and roll my eyes at it all.

I'd really like to get some material from market, I'm sure I'll be able to find some nice pieces to make a few dresses out of. I'll have to keep my eyes peeled, there are some beautiful designs.

Anyway - I hope all is well with everyone - June is around the corner, I hope summer is slowly making it's way towards you all :) Tomorrow's the full moon, I'll see it in Ghana (mind you a few hours earlier than you), but if you've got the chance, take a look, and I'm thinking of you and wishing you nothing but the best.

I'll be in touch soon!

Much love,

Dede xoxo

Friday, May 25, 2007

Weekend Adventure

Hello everyone!!

I can't believe I'm updating my blog so soon again!! It was only 2 days ago that I got to share a small peak into my African adventure.

Well, I'm back and I'm going to try and cram as much as I can in but we'll see, when it comes to actually sitting down to the computer, my mind kind of goes blank - there's just too much to think of!!

Well, if I didn't mention last time, I have a local name that I go by, instead of "blefono" (meaning white person), or Madam (for the teachers). It's "Dede" (deh-deh), meaning first-born female. The house has taken to it and I scold anyone who calls me by blefono because I am more than my skin colour. hehe To say "my name is, Dede" in Dangme you say, "a tse mi kee, Dede" (sounds like: "ah cheh me keh, Deh-deh"). My knowledge of the language is really coming along - I'm trying my best, that's for sure, and although it's not easy - and it is NOT easy, I'm having a good laugh anyway.

I'm in Sega today - the place where I started from - I left at 6:30am this morning or so and took a bus from Kpong to a place called the Ada junction - where I got a taxi to Sega. Cost about 5 bucks in total and took an hour and a half or so. I'm spending the day in Sega and going to a funeral tomorrow (a big deal here in Ghana - some coffins are made to look like different things that were characteristic of the deceased - eg. beer bottles, cows, fish, cell phones - they can be really neat!! - I'll be sure to get a few pictures of some of the really different ones!). After the funeral tomorrow, the group of us are heading to a place called Ada Foah. It's supposed to be beautiful, along the ocean... with beach huts. I'm looking forward to it, especially if it's hot tomorrow (always is, who am I kidding), because we'll be able to go swimming!! It has to be in the ocean or the fresh water bugs will get into our skin, and no one really wants to deal with that.... yuck. We'll be there until Sunday night probably and then I'll head back to Kpong on Monday.

I think I got a little sunburned today, first time since I've been here. Some local kids from Sega, Kevin, and I went for a walk this morning to a river to check it out. It was quite the walk! When we got there, the kids wanted to cross it in a sketchy looking canoe... something Kevin and I contemplated for quite some time before deciding to just go for it! A small kid came across the river and got each of us separately (fearing, we'd flip the boat into the parasite infested water) and we made it across successfully! We met a local family who live in mud homes, with thatched roofs. They were pleased to see us. They brought all of us coconuts - cut them up, and we drank coconut juice right from the shell! Then we ate 2 or 3 of them... we were a little worried how that'll go through our bodies in a bit... I guess we'll see!! The kids took us for a walk, and we came across a peanut tree, more coconuts, weird looking grasshoppers, and some eerie looking oxen (I don't think they were happy to see us). We managed to cross the river safely, no one falling in, or getting wet!! It was a great experience, something you'd pay a lot of $$ for I'm sure. A personal tour! I could go home satisfied with my African trip after this morning!

OH! This morning started adventurous in itself anyway! There was a truck that had flipped onto its side in the middle of the road in Kpong, and a police car had come down my tiny little road to get some wire stuff (to use to pull the truck), so we caught a ride with them to the bus station... Only white person in a police car, next to a guy with a scary looking gun... eek. Must have looked odd as we drived away - people wondering why the 'blefono' was in the car!! My host dad was with me, pops, so it was fine, just a little creepy sitting next to a guy with a gun. I was glad to get out of the car fast to get my bus early this morning.

Life is good - lots of different things happening around me, and there are plans to do some traveling around on the weekends with Godwin (our coordinator) so that we see what we want while we're here. He's going to be planning some of those trips soon. I'm happy to know that we'll get some travel in with a well-educated guide ;) An added benefit! It should be good :)

It's hot in the internet cafe, even though there is a fan going. I think I'm going to get something cold after this... that'd be nice... mmm fanyogo (frozen yogurt in a bag). OH! We drink our water out of small bags!! You bite the corner, spit away the edge and then drink! (Don't worry mom and dad, that $ that went for my braces, and head gear and all that stuff isn't being wrecked, I use scissors where I can!).

Anyway - thinking of you all, thank you for all the thoughts and prayers, and best wishes!!

Update again soon :)

Dede xoxo

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

2 Weeks In

Hello Everyone!!

I'm so happy I have the opportunity to visit an internet cafe with a good chunk of time to spend on my update!!

There is so much to say I really don't know where to begin, but I'll try and do my best to give you an idea of what my life is like here in Ghana.

I'm living in a house which is really 4 small concrete, one level buildings, attached to each other to form a square, with a courtyard in the middle... along the walls are rooms which different individuals or families live in. I have my own room which is comfortable - with a double bed and a small desk and two plastic chairs. My bug net is all set up and although it feels like it traps the heat IN my bed, it protects me from all the bugs that seem to be crawling around... nothing too scary yet - although I'm pretty sure a spider gave birth in my room, but I managed to kill most of the babies (they kinda creep me out).

My host family is one of 8 people - a pastor, his wife, and their children. There are about 30-35 of us in this "house" area - so lots of children, and it's NEVER quiet - keeps me busy!

I'm living on my own in the community called "Kpong" - I can't even pronounce it, there is no "kp" sound in English! And I'm learning the local language of Dangme. As far as I've been told, I'm doing very well and am the one out of the 6 Canadians that knows the most! It'll be entertaining to try and speak it at home. I ask lots of questions and try and learn as much as I can, even if I AM making a fool out of myself. They really enjoy teaching me, and so we laugh a lot. The English is pretty good too so there's no real problem communicating!

The food is really different. Usually something white (yams, rice, plantains and some red stuff with fish in it, not really sure what it is exactly - a sauce of some sort). We live close to Lake Volta, which is the largest man-made lake in the world, so we are very close to the fisherman - so, lots of fish!! I'm learning to like it.

The school I teach at is a private school that was started by the pastor I live with. He's got 3 schools in total. This one has about 400 students, the other has about 50, and I don't know the third. I've been to two and will teach where I can to both. I've even started HIV/AIDS awareness classes, and a question box for peopled who are nervous to ask questions in public. I'll also try and speak to a women's ministry, a public school, and at a Parent-Teacher Association Meeting - lots planned, now for organizing! I also want to start a club for students to teach other students about HIV/AIDS for when I leave.

I wake up every morning to roosters, weird birds (guinea fowls? that are REALLY loud), goats, dogs, cats, sheep and even screaming babies (no surprise).

We get electricity every other day or so, but I don't really use it much - at night I put a fan on if it's deathly hot, it helps keep me energized for the day if I sleep at night. We get our water out of a water spout at the side of the house. Not many people get a water spout in their area so we see MANY local people around our place getting their water. The most amazing thing I think I've seen is the carrying of anything and everything on their heads. It's incredible to see these children carrying such heavy loads! I'll have to learn how to do it, mind you most have been taught since they were very young, so they have the advantage over me!

The money here is called cedi(s) and it's very confusing. Approximately 9,400 = $1USD so all the amounts are off. When they say 3000 cedis I think it's a lot, but really it's nothing at all! It's something to get used to, and I'm getting there.

There is so much that has happened, so much to look forward to, and so much to share when I get back and I'm only 2 weeks into my journey.

I must say though, that I accomplished one goal that was set out for me by my best friend, Kimi. She wrote me a letter before I left saying that I was to plant a tree in Ghana, so that my roots are in Africa. Yesterday, I planted two mango trees - one for each of us, so that we can stay sweet, and grow old together. Miss you buddy!

The funniest thing happened the other day - I was writing in my journal, as I often am, and I was having some trouble opening a page because it was stuck to another one. When I opened it I found a wall gecko that got stuck between the pages and got smushed! I killed a wall gecko in my journal without even knowing it! I laughed so hard when I found it, but felt a little bad, I had no idea how it even got in there! It was a little one. I took a picture and got rid of it as it was making everything smell really bad... it was so funny though.

My typical day looks like this:
- Get up about 6:15am or so - when the sun comes up, the roosters stop crowing, and the children start making noise outside.
- Write in my journal to start the day and watch what's going on in the courtyard
- I have my breakfast brought to my room and I eat alone - usually sweet bread, tea, and an omlette sort of thing (good!)
- Then at 7:45am I head to school with David - one of the Pastor's sons who is a teacher (a number of them are)
- I find a class or two to teach, do some reading, work on some of my homework that I will have due in August (you know me, wanting to get on top of things as always!)
- Come home for lunch - usually the red sauce stuff and yams/rice, or sometimes plaintains (boiled)
- then I usually hangout with whoever is around the house - sit under some trees outside of the house in the shade, especially if its' really hot - some days are REALLY worse than others - after it rains though it is really cool and feels SO nice
- Sometimes I'll have a shower - if there's no running water, I get my water into a bucket and use that in a cement 4 walled cubicle - easy to do really - if there IS running water, the pastor installed a shower like thing for me, which was awesome, but I must admit don't use it all that often
- I have dinner alone - usually more red stuff or fried rice (really good)
- it gets dark around 7pm or so, the pastor has a t.v. in his room and we watch a little news to keep up to date with the happenings of Ghana - one of the questions one night was "Do you feel that the African leaders have failed the continent?" Would you believe it was almost always "yes"... hmm.. what does that say.
- then I usually head off to bed around 7:30-8pm and go to sleep. Yup, that early - trust me, the heat really wears you out!

I spent last weekend in Accra (the capital) with the other Intercordians, as well as a few other people we had met to celebrate someone's birthday. It was good fun, although I had only packed for the day, so when 3 days had passed I was really dirty and ready to head back to Kpong. We stayed at a hotel and 5 of us slept on 2 single mattresses - entertaining, but not made for good sleeping conditions.

This weekend we're heading to a place that I've heard is beautiful - the other girls know about it as they live closer. I live about an hour or so away from them so a ways away by tro-tro (think - mini van).

Anyway - life is good, enjoying my experiences, and laughing a lot - mostly at myself. I'm still excited to be here and to be able to really embrace the culture.

I hope to be able to post more often, now that I know how to get to the internet cafe (in a place called Atumpoco). It's not far from Kpong, a short bus ride away and 3000 cedis.

I'm sending my love to everyone, thank you for all the good wishes, it really means a lot to me!! The people here send their best to Canada too - they're so hospitable, I know I'll be back in the future (at least to see my Mango trees!!)

Love bunches,

Amanda

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

In Ghana!!

Wow - I don't even know where to begin but I don't have that much time so I'll keep it short and to the point. :) I'm in GHANA!!

It was a LOOOONG trip to get here though, my god... it seemed to take forever. The first AND second flights were 7 hours each and we had a few hours in between to kill in the Frankfurt, Germany airport (at least I can say I've been to Europe, albeit the airport... I was outside a little though so it wasn't all that bad). By the end of the travelling time, everyone was exhausted. The plane service was great though, ate lots (didn't know when we'd see that kind of food again), drank lots too, well, I had a bloody mary and a baileys with ice... just to say I did. :)

We got in last night just after 5:30pm (so 1:30pm your time), and drove 2 hours to where Godwin (our coordinator) lives. It was a long, bumpy ride. We made it though. It was really dark so it was hard to see anything at first, it was VERY intimidating and very very African simple... but we brought our bags in and met 2 other volunteers who are staying at the same place (they're from Switzerland). We could barely see anything but did our best and a lady made us rice and sauce for dinner. Let me tell you, when you're sweating buckets (at 28-30 degrees), and then eating really spicy food, it gets REALLY hot! It was so uncomfortable but we ate up regardless, we were tired and hungry.

The first night was a little rough with sleep, didn't really get more than a few hours I'm sure. It was soooo hot. I was protected by a bug net that entrapped the heat but kept the bugs out. Meghan and I shared a room outside of Godwin's place (which is kind of like a bungalo with no doors or windows, except for a few doors on the inside for privacy of a few rooms), so we weren't with the others but about 25 feet away.

Every noise we heard last night creeped Meghan right out and so I ended up laughing at and with her (but secretly fearing that something would come to get me too, I'm pretty sure we were convinced a lizard was making eerie noises along the ceiling). We managed and even had a 'shower' this morning. We each received a bucket of water and stood in a concrete/wood type of box... closed the windows and then bathed.. it was a pretty laughable experience. Had to make sure we dried ourselves to avoid the parasites... scary stuff. But worse than that one, was going to the washroom. Oh man. It's a wooden box that's relatively open with a shady kind of door. There are a couple of pieces of wood that surrounds a hole in the ground which you stand on and squat over to go pee. Brutal, but doable... it's got to be, I don't have any other choice!

We had porridge for breakfast this morning (hot - hard to eat when you're sweating at 6am). And then we toured the school and watched their morning worship.

We found out that 3 of us will be staying at this location and this school, and the other 3 will leave to 3 other villages and schools. I was one of the ones to stay but I traded with Meghan (because she doesn't think she can handle another move) and because I want a totally different experience, so I'll be changing villages later this afternoon, to a new school and a host family. Should be interesting, albeit maybe a little lonely if I'm not with anyone. We'll see!!

I don't know when I'll have access again to internet - Godwin wanted to make sure our families know we're safe and sound.

I'm sending my love, and lots of warm thoughts your way!!

Love bunches,

Amanda

Monday, May 7, 2007

It call comes down to today! Departure Day!

Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood MORNING GHAAAAANA! (catch the reference?)

Ok, so I'm not there yet, but by tomorrow I will be. It's not 9:30am yet but I've got to shower, pick up a digital camera, have lunch, say goodbye to my best friend, and then BOOT it to the airport with my parents to check in for 2:20pm to catch my 5:30pm flight to Frankfurt, Germany!

Thank you everyone who's called or left messages the last few days, wishing me a safe and wonderful trip - your well-wishes will go with me throughout my 3.5 months, I really appreciate all the love (it'll sure come in handy in the really tough situations).

I've got a lot to do yet this morning but I just wanted to share that I am SOO excited, the day is finally here to start my adventure, and I'm so lucky to have so much support from all areas of my life!

The next you'll hear from me will be in Ghana!

Much love,

Amanda

Sunday, May 6, 2007

Departure tomorrow... TOMORROW!

So... tomorrow's the big day, "departure day". It's nearly here. *deep breath* Tomorrow I'm flying to Ghana... tomorrow, that's, soon... *reflective moment* I still can't believe it.

I'm honestly at a loss for words - I've written 4 different thoughts down and have deleted each one because I can't finish them. I'm feeling too many emotions at once to identify them individually. One second I'm thrilled, and the next second I'm asking what sane person would do this (especially with the lack of information I have)! Excited trumps nerves though, so that's good :)

Today will be spent tying up any loose ends - there aren't many really, I've been really organized and ontop of things - go me.

I'm going to pick up a digital camera for my coordinator in Ghana (he really needs one but doesn't really have access to them because they are so expensive in Ghana, so he's asked me if I would get him one and he'll pay me as soon as I get there - he wants to put pictures on the web about his international school! I'm willing to help out where I can).

Other than that, I'm going to ensure my laundry is done and put away; I'm going to make sure my pile of stuff that's going back to school in the fall is relatively organized and ready to go; I'm going to find my cell phone so my brother can use it this summer without it deactivating on me; I'm going to walk through each room in my house and embrace it (maybe go to bed early - I LOVE my bed); and I'm going to have a nice steak with mom and dad tonight for dinner. Sounds like a good last day to me - productive and reflective.

My best friend is popping over tomorrow morning to say goodbye, it'll be tearful - I'll try and hold it together for the two of us, but if she starts crying so will I, I'm going to miss her a lot.

It's nearly 10am, I better be off to start my day! :)

hmmm... what to have for breakfast... pancakes anyone?

Friday, May 4, 2007

Not tomorrow, or the next day, but the NEXT day...

Things are really coming together now, and it's very exciting!

Dad and I went out last night and picked up a couple of memory cards for my camera (now I can take LOTS of pictures without having to worry about space and uploading, and all that). We also picked up some bug spray (hardcore 30% DEET to protect against scary bugs and malaria mosquitoes), batteries (for my mp3 player - helps with homesickness at night when trying to sleep - I found when I was in Ecuador, falling asleep to a little Frank Sinatra put my mind at ease, at least for the first while, and then I found I was so tired I didn't need it!), and we even picked up some duct tape (you can use it for anything!).

I also spent the day packing. I was reminded by a fellow program participant (an Intercordian, as I call them), to be aware of the baggage weight allowances on my airline... 20kg. Trying to weigh my camping backpack on a small home scale was a little difficult, albeit thoroughly entertaining. I've still got quite a few kgs to use, as long as the scale is correct.

I'm having a hard time getting out of bed this morning - it's warm, and comfortable, and soft, and big, and those of you who know me very well know that I love my bed... and I will miss it over the summer. .. a lot.

Oh well, best get up and out today to run a few last minute errands (I need a beach towel yet).

Monday is coming up fast!

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

5 Days until Departure

Ok, so what I've learned is that day by day, my anxiety increases (I'm just kidding), although I AM getting a little more nervous and excited (same physiological response is it not?) as May 7th approaches.

Mom and I hit up Costco yesterday to ensure I have everything that I need in bulk, (everything from underwear to band-aids) - I'll be fine. It's a little tough, I admit, because I'm not working with much information, slim to nil actually. I don't know my host-family members, what they're home is like, or if there will be access to any amenities... I guess that's all part of the adventure this time around. Prior to Ecuador, I had a LOT of information, not so much this time.

I received an email this morning saying that the coordinator in Ghana, Godwin, will meet the 6 of us in the airport with an "Intercordia" homemade sign, that'll be neat. We'll spend our first night in Ghana with him, and the next day will be taken to our placements - not much time to adjust, that's for sure! I wonder how much English there will be. English is the official language of Ghana, as it was once a British colony, it only has been an independent country for the last 50 years (this year is the 50th anniversary of independence, although Independence Day is over, I hope I get to see some more celebrations!). But the more rural you get, I have a feeling the English decreases and the native languages emerge, there are quite a few. Dangme is the one I will most likely come across, I better get practicing!

5 days to go - 5 days to figure out the rest of my packing and to embark on my adventure!

yaa ba or (bye-bye)