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Published: July 15th 2006
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Celine Dion
I know I've mentioned this but I still have to laugh when I hear young guys belting out Celine Dion songs and when they say she is their favorite singer...indeed, she is HUGE here!:) My pal Kwesi borrowed this CD from a friend (most people I know here just listen to the radio) and he has taken a liking to my portable CD player:) Hello, friends! I hope you are all well and enjoying your summers! Things are going good here in Accra...with each day that passes I find myself getting a little more used to Ghana and I find that even the things that annoyed me at first (such as the wild world of the outdoor markets, the somewhat chaotic trotros, etc) have their own unique charm to them. I am posting some pictures below of friends that I have met, our quick trip to Kumasi, and some pictures from the AIDS clinic where I am everyday. Of course, there are always challenges....I really think everyone should experience once in life how it feels to be a minority....it is definitely an eye-opening experience that forces you to grow a bit! Everything I do here is a new cultural experience---from bartering at the outdoor market for food, to washing my clothes outside, to even going to the bathroom (ha--sorry, but I just have to mention this because just about every place we go we must pay to use the restroom...and toilet paper costs extra😊...I will no longer complain about gross bathrooms in the US....haha...I won't go more into detail but my friends and I
Kumasi trotro station
This is the largest trotro station I have seen yet! It is chaotic for tourists trying to find the right trotro but the locals all know exactly where to go...so needless to say we definitely never hesitate to ask for directions!:) have some funny stories about this!😊
Anyways, I am so thankful for the friends that I have met here and continue to meet everyday. For once, I am soo thankful that I love talking to random people😊...because I have met so many awesome Ghanaians and fellow volunteers/travel buddies this way. I am surrounded by great people and since I know a few volunteers who have moved their flight to go home early (since they are lonely...by no fault of their own, but it has unfortunately been harder for them to meet people where they are living), I am sooo grateful for the friends I have made! I have really come to believe that regardless of where one is traveling or going, people are people....despite the many cultural differences, there are soo many commonalities amongst humans that allow us to make friends no matter where we go! (is that awesome or what?!) I'm not trying to get sentimental, but I am just so grateful that even though I came alone and not with a program or am not living with a family that things have worked out this well!
Okay, I'll stop gabbing, but please know that
Hangin with some obrunis;-)
All of these gals have gone back to the U.S. now but it was great to meet them and travel with them for a bit! They range from high school age to med students from Harvard...none of us knew eachother before coming but somehow found one another--I am thankful for the time I had with them! I am thinking of you all and wishing you well! Here are some various pictures.....
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Linda
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I'm so jealous!
I get so envious when I read your blog and see your pictures. Katie, when you were in Kumasi and took the picture of the tro tro station you were very close to where my African family lives! It is about three blocks! I have seen that station so often! I guarantee you, you are going to come back a different person, with a different perspective on life for sure! You come to really know what is really valuable in life and what isn't important. I how have exactly 10 and 1/2 months until I go back to Ghana, but a three year wait to return is way too long. Do you still have my friend Issah's phone number? He would be thrilled if you would give him a call. he is the nicest guy ever. I also took my cd player and cd's to Ghana, and once I got there I never used it because one of the boys always was listening to it. They just loved it. Have you realized yet that Kenny Rogers, Don Williams, Dolly Parton and Celine are the favorites of most Ghanaians! I think that is so funny! I'm so happy you are having all these wonderful experiences! I love hearing about them and seeing your pictures. Arent the little kids the cutest ever! If you have a chance see if you can visit a pre school. I did and it was a beautiful experience! Probably the most memorable of all the things I did there. Take care and I look forward to your next blog.