Heartbreak, and Love at Second Sight

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Wow, it’s been a while. Where do I start?
I guess football once again takes center stage. First of all, the USA vs. Ghana game was wild, as you can imagine. I took a lot of heat every time I clapped for the US, whether intentionally or out of habit. Although at first it was hard to grasp that we lost, once I put my pride aside, it was much more fun to be with such happy people during and after the game. Like always, a dance party on every street corner ensued after the win. All the street sellers were grouped in celebration everywhere you turned. I watched the game at Champ’s Sports Bar in Accra and I loved it. There were about 75 nationalities in one room and the excitement was so catching.
The Ghana vs. Uruguay game, however, did not bring such excitement. The tension during the last hour of that game was unbelievable, and the turnout was heartbreaking. No parties on the streets that night. It was as if a mutual friend of the entire country had died. Osu was unusually quiet.
To be the last African team standing, and to have made it to the quarter finals, is still something to be proud of though. In the end, someone always wins and someone always loses. Ghana made Africa proud. :)
Outside the world of football, life goes on as normally as it can in this crazy place.
I ate my first oyster the other day. It tasted like a slimy little piece of the ocean. Not quite sure I will pay money to eat another one any time soon.
Two Sundays ago, I went to a different spot in Ada for the day and it was amazing. The sun was finally shining and it was so relaxing. I love every chance to get out of Accra for a bit. I have done considerably less traveling this trip, and I’m itching to get out again soon. I think I’ll go to Kokrobite for some peace and quiet this weekend. Cross your fingers for sun!
As for work, it’s still going well. I can’t believe I only have about 2 weeks left at the Chronicle and 4 weeks left in Ghana. Nottt enoughhh timeee.
I went to a Vodafone press conference the other day for a new text message alert system they are launching. They set us up in a fancy board room with gourmet catered food and a handsome envelope of “transportation funds” after the conference. I don’t think that’s how it works in the US, but I could get used to this. :)
I also went to a press conference the other day at La Palm Royal Hotel near Labadi beach for the launching of a biography written about a late court justice. I have to say, it was the strangest event I’ve been to so far. It felt more like a church service than a formal program. There was a choir singing while people found their seats, then halfway through 3 hoursssssss of speeches, some dude wearing a white robe strutted to the podium blowing a tune through a conch shell. Then he passionately recited a poem, played a song on a recorder and strutted out of the room. Random.
I was sent on my first investigative journalism story in Ghana yesterday. My editor wanted me to go to the UN High Commission for Refugees headquarters in Labone to investigate a man’s claim that he was being denied resettlement help after some sort of controversial story from a newspaper in 2005. Exciting right? Well, I got to the headquarters and it turns out the woman I was supposed to speak with is on an extended leave. Go figure.
I FINALLY got to visit the orphanage that I worked in last year. I have been dying to go, and I finally made it yesterday. Stepping inside that gate makes your heart get so big it feels like your body cannot sustain it. Love all over again.
About 10 children I came to know last year remain, the rest are new faces. That is good, good news. My baby Mary is still there, with slightly older features to her beautiful face, and one of the little girls seemed as if she remembered me. When she saw me, she stopped, stared, and simply pointed her finger at my face. I stopped, stared, and pointed right back at her. She ran to me, and whether she actually remembers me or not doesn’t really matter all that much.
Meanwhile, I’m missing you all.
Much love,
Cari

P.S. Here are more links to some of my stories:

http://ghanaian-chronicle.com/business-news/vodafone-to-assist-nadmo-with-gh%C2%A221000/

http://allafrica.com/stories/201006171001.html (Picked up by a second website, aside from the Chronicle!!)

http://www.modernghana.com/news/283093/1/justice-df-annans-biography-launched.html (Also picked up by a second website!!)

https://wellsfargoadvisors.mworld.com/m/m.w?lp=GetStory&id=437519441 (Picked up by Wells Fargo!!)

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