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Published: January 15th 2008
Hello
I have obviously arrived okay and finding my feet although I am struggling to remember names as I have probably been introduced to about 20 people already!!
I had a good flight and managed to catch up on some sleep which I needed after the numerous farewell dinners etc.Thank you to everybody for a great send off and all the good luck messages.The Zambia team were on the flight so there were television and radio crews to greet them.There were also dancers and drummers.27 degrees and humid on arrival.I sailed through customs with my 3 big bags and met a few volunteers in the airport including Arthur who is volunteering for the academy but has moved to another area.Patrick and Jacob met us and after a half hour drive we arrived at my new home.I was greeted by the whole family and my new surrogate mum ,Nana is lovely.Albert and Rodney are 17 and 14 respectively and Eugenia is 21.I am still trying to talk to the youngest 2 children but I have not seen much of them.
Hit the sack by midnight and restless night as new noises etc.Resident cockeral was awake by 6 and I heard the kids get ready for school at 5 so my sleeping habits will need to change.Alex from the academy popped over at 9 to meet me and then at 10 Patrick,Jacob and Arthur arrived.We walked to the academy to meet Martin who set it up and the other main coached Chris and Seth.Martin explained about our roles and I attend the senior training sessions Tues-Fri from 6-8am and the juniors from 3-5pm.He has managed to get 40 tickets for Ghanas 2nd and 3rd matches plus one for me for the opening ceremony and first match.I the showed them the boots , footballs and goalie gloves etc which went down very well.P,J,A and I then got a tro tro into Accra.Tro tro is the name given to minibuses and vans etc that fill to the brim and transport people around.We had a minibus which took about an hour to reach the centre.I changed some money and bought a Ghana shirt so that I can blend in.We caught a tro tro back and then home as I needed an early night.I finally managed to have a shower which I deperately needed.There is no piped water so they buy the water and it is brought in by lorry and kept in a huge water tank in the garden.There is a shower cubicle with a tap and the cold water is a relief rather than a handicap !!
Now I hear you all cry - what about the toilet? Well it's good news, bad news - we have a western style toilet but the flush is broken so we use a bucket to fill the cistern.Could be a whole lot worse.
I had rice and spicy chicken for dinner followed by plantains.I am drinking lots of water as it was 31 and humid.I may need food parcels!! I have been given a sim card and have texted a few people back home.I was in bed by 8.30 after filling in my journal.Slept much better.
Up this morning at 5 and after a mouthful of bread Albert walke me to the pitch for trainng.I just watched today but was introduced to the players after the session..The coach is Ebernezer and there are some very good players.The pitch is red mud and very uneven.The volunteers and coaches are playing the seniors on Friday at 3.30 so I may need my head torch for the second half as it gets dark very quickly.
I will be heading off to the supermarket to get some bits and then a rest before this afternoons session.
First impressions - the people are very friendly and I feel very safe.There are chickens, goats , dogs and a few cats wandering the streets but at a very leisurely pace.It is hot and humid but I am sure I will get used to it soon.Accra was a typically hectic city but I have heard the beaches are nice so hope to head there soon.
All for now.Keep in touch x
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Flo
non-member comment
Hi
Great to hear that you got there okay. Look forward to seeing some of your photos. If I were you I'd shoot the cockerel and phone for a plumber! All the best Flo xxx