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Published: April 11th 2008
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im going to start again with a massive apology for not writing any more blogs for a while! Ive already had my lovely father pestering me about it on my weekly phonecalls home, but to be honest nothing major has happened since last time. I dont have lots of different stories to tell unlike those who are travelling all over the world..all my stories revolve around the children and I dont want to bore people by talking about them all the time!! but here it goes...
my last entry was over 2 weeks ago (sorry again!!) and I claimed it was the best weekend so far and that still hasnt been beaten! Rhi, the girl I was with for 2 months left at the end of March and if im being perfectly honest I wasnt looking forward to being alone. Its reassuring to know that there is always someone with you when you have a room mate and it dawned on me that I would have to do everything myself, i.e. bargain for taxi's alone, take tros alone and generally be much more aware of what I did. My host mum was brilliant about Rhi leaving, she cooked me my
favourite dish, Jollof rice, the day after Rhi left and promised to take me to a bar with live music. Fortunately, two people Greg and Rose filled Rhi's position once she had gone...they are two volunteers who started working at the orphanage and lived very close to me so we ended up going to and from work together which made me a lot happier. However, they have both left me too!! one to Australia and one to South Africa...fear not though! I have made a new friend!!! :D Her name is Bettina and she comes from London. She's a volunteer from Real Gap also so we were introduced straight away. Ive been her sort of 'guide' whilst she's been here so Ive showed her where to go for local food and where not to go! Told her about the do's and don'ts of Ghana and taken her around the city. We get on very well so I know im going to be happy during my remaining time here.
Had quite a bizarre couple of days last weekend...dont really know where to start with how things happened. A group of us decided to head to a beach party last wednesday
NIght that Rhi left
Sanna, Merita and Greg took me out to cheer me up once we had said goodbye to Rhi! really couldnt have coped without these guys! but a thunderstorm hit Accra and it rained for about 4 hours..instead of relaxing on the beach we decided to assess Africa's nightlife and headed off for the first time since ive been here to a bar!!! The first bar we came to a couple of guys got talking to us and took an interest in two of our friends..they asked whether we all wanted to head to this other club and when the question of how many taxi's shall we take came up one of the guys said dont worry about that and led us outside to his Hummer H2!!! I cant tell you how surreal it was to drive around the streets of Accra in a 60,000 pound hummer! sort of the last thing i expected to be doing in Africa! We had a very enjoyable evening and were invited to spend the weekend at his beach house south of Accra. Unfortunately rainy season has come early and it rained for the best part of the weekend although it didnt stop me from dancing until 6am sunday morning!!!
Life at the orphanage is the same as usual...hectic and tiring but thoroughly enjoyable. Had three new toddlers last
Nanayaw...again
We both fell asleep under the tree!! week, one set of twins and a little boy, and just yesterday a 2 day old baby arrived. She is so tiny, probably most men could hold her in one of their hands! Nanayaw, the little baby boy that I have completely fallen in love with, has got malaria at the moment...the aunties say it is 'small small' malaria and that he is getting better, which hopefully fingers crossed he will do...he was smiling and giggling at me today so thats definately a good sign! Still trying to teach Ruth to walk...think she has to be the laziest child going! but Im determind that she is at least going to be able to take a couple of steps before i leave!
I have only 2 weeks left in Ghana and although it will break my heart to leave the children, I cant even think about that at the moment, I am definately ready to come home. Ive loved my first experience of Africa and I know I'll be back to Ghana someday. Now I have the "africa bug" I want to explore more of this country. This weekend Im heading just west of Accra to a popular volunteer hangout
called Kokrobite where live music plays every friday and saturday...unfortunately the forecast is rain...I swear its like being back in Manchester! But its so lovely to get away from the dirt and smells of Accra!
Anyway im off now for lunch...red red (bean stew) and plantain...yummy! what i would give for a bacon sandwich!!! bye for now !
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Olive & Alan
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Hi Ruth
You really do seem to be having agreat time in Ghana - not least of all your weekends !!! Never mind the rainy season there, it is definitely the rainy season here - every day (interspersed, I must say, with some nice, but cold, sunny spells). When it is not raining it is either wintry showers or snow! On Easter Day we awoke to a covering of the white stuff, and I have to clear the snow from the car to get to Church. Well that is England!! Your work at the orphanage seems to be very worthwhile and to you it must be hugely rewarding. We are all really proud of you for what you are doing, and it is a privilege to be able to say we know you well, and love you to bits. I am sure the homecoming will be very hard, but am also sure that having got the "bug" you will be back to Africa. Olive has been there as you know and fully understands how you will be feeling. Never mind we are all really looking forward to seeing you back in England, and hearing all about your fantastic time in Ghana. Love from us both - take care. ps: If your father gets a bonus out of the Council Tax (sorry OUR Council Tax), maybe he will meet you at the airport in a £60,000 Hummer - you wish!!! Bye for now Olive & Alan. XXXXXX