Second Tour and Slimfast Diet ! Perhaps you can market your diet when you get home ? ( Although you might have to gloss over the high temperature bit !) Glad to see you settled in with a new community . Isn't always the same with those who have the least can show the most amazing resilience and pleasure at the simplest pleasures ? I really wonder if , for all our material things - mobile 'phones, internet,cars , mp3 players,satnavs , etc. etc. we lead happy lives ? All those clever (?) financial people who made "loadsamoney" out of lending money to "NINJAS" ( No Income no jobs no assets ) are happy now the Vultures have come home to roost ?
What a series of miserable thoughts to greet your Blog !
Have a wonderful time and take care " Out There" ? ( By kind permission of "Hill Street Blues" !!
Love. Dad
Not the way I'd like to lose weight Interesting way to lose weight, and I thought Weight Watchers was brutal... can you bring one or two of the children home - just drop them off here, we'd love to have them at home. It's a shame that they will probably spend their whole lives without their family. I felt incredibly sad for them. I don't know how you keep going, but am pleased you have, the stories are inspiring and thoroughly entertaining. Wishing you cooler weather and airconditioning!
Cheers Dannielle and the Australian Clan
Can't believe the mozzie bites! Ouch, those mozzie bites are making me itch! Those kids all look adorable! I have to say, you are so brave, I think I'd be crying every day and wanting to bring them all home with me! Not surprised you've had a bit of an emotional few days! I've got a feeling you'll be coming home with a few more names added to your list for sending postcards and letters to, and I have a hunch that this will not be the last time Ghana sees you! I know you've had some storms, but just think, at least you've escaped the wonderful hurricane force winds and cold weather in the U.K. Take care of yourself, luv Cherylxx
Looks like you need a holiday Hi, sis, little brother here....some stunning photos there....and much more like what I thought the trip would entail.....the desperation amongst those children would have drained the hardiest souls, so I'm not surprised you started to feel homesick....looks like you have put a lot in and got a lot out of your trip.....well done...p.s. I am used to "Just what it says on the jar" for my dinner....trust you will bring some home for me.....xxxxxxx
My impressions just to say Hi to everyone who said Hello to me via the blog. Turns out I wasn't as bonkers as I had thought, and I had a really good time in Ghana last week. As you can imagine, everyone in Ashale is really going to miss Coral. We couldn't walk down the street without being stopped by each of the stallholders to say hello and shake our hands. As a result, it felt very safe, even at night. The kids are very skillful, and all deperate to play for Manchester United for some reason. But it was very hot and dusty so I wasn't too sorry to leave for the coast. Green Turtle was very chilled as Coral says, and I was amazed by her ability to knock back the cocktails. The villagers are so poor, but again really pleased to see us, and the kids were fighting amongst themselves to hold our hands and have their pictures taken. If you try to take their picture, they either go into serious pose, or very silly pose, so its difficult to get nice smiling pose. They have beautiful smiles, and surprisingly good teeth. I found that everywhere we went, people looked at you with suspicion until you waved and smiled, and then they waved and smiled back, and wanted to shake your hand. We also discoved that the first English they seem to learn is "Good morning - how are you - I'm fine - thank you" so we got a lot of various combinations of that said robotically! I was also surprised by the religiousness. Apart from the long and regular church going sessions, every shop is called something like "God is great hair salon" or "Peace on Earth food shop", the best one being "God will provide (no credit given)" Every tro tro has a religious sign too. We heard a large evangelical meeting/concert from our last hotel, but it had to compete with the reggae blaring out near us. The slave forts were worth the visit, but incredibly moving.
So my overall impressions are very poor but very lovely people, and I can see why Coral is enjoying herself, despite the problems. I really hope that the second part of the trip works out better than the first.
Steph
You're on your own.... It's been fasinating reading your commentary and the photos are great. I couldn't have done this even when I was 20years younger. I understand the heat having come from Tropical Nth Queensland in Australia, but now living on the Gold Coast I couldn't imagine the heat, the flies and NO mod cons. The experience does sound amazing and I am lucky I experienced thru you. Look forward to more of your wonderous stories. Love Dannielle and Clan
Chocolate!!!! Can't wait til you get back, got noone to call!! Enjoy your time with Staph and take care.
I gave up chocolate for lent so seeing your picture is torture!!!
Fabulous blog! Hi Coral,
What a fantastic blog, have really enjoyed it so far, can't wait for the next episode!
Glad you are having such a great time!
Cathy x
Helloooooooooo Hi Coral
Glad you are having a good time with Steph. No mention of the Carling Cup final result! Surprise surprise!
Did you get my text about my appeal????
Love the pics, looks fab.
Take good care, love to Steph
lots of love,
Barbara xxxx
Holiday I have to say, the beach looks lovely there, and you certainly look relaxed, probably the chocolate helped too! You'll have to have a pamper day at Center Parcs Aqua Sana when you get back, that'll make you feel much better! Enjoy the rest of your little break, and say Hi to Steph for me. Take care and good luck with your second mission. Luv Cherylx
well done Well done you - pampering session is well and truly needed and thank goodness blogs aren't scratch and sniff.
Have a relaxing break before your next volunteer sess. You deserve it.
Take care
Tanya
Well done... Hi Coral,
I just wanted to say, you're dealing really really well with some difficult situations - well done. Glad you got a real taste of live African football. Take care,
Love,
xDaisy
Bats!! Wow! How amazing was that picture of the bats in the tree?! Bethany couldn't quite believe it.Very good timing, as Jamie's just finished performing in the school production, Dracula Spectacular! Thankyou for my birthday e-card, excellent singing penguins! Have a good last week on project one, and look forward to your break with Steph! Take care, luv Cherylx
Three hours at church!! Hi Coral,
It's so good reading your blog and makes me cross with myself for being too busy to read it recently. I've finally found some time to look at my many unread e-mails. I don't think my dad was able to command a congregation for 3 hours at church. That must have been a real experience. I hope your new mum and house are looking after you well. I love your roving reports - I almost like football!!
Take care, keep well - and I got some chocolates at Ashley's MUM so taking your place!!
Kate xx
What about the f***ing football!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Had to read it twice thinking it was from the wrong person!! No football thank the lord!! I dont know who plyed who and who won what and ask me am I bothered!! Somethings don't change however far people are apart. Except I cant tell you to shut up about the footie but I can skip the paragraph or 10!! Take care Love Jo xxxxx
What's mad? Why is Steph mad to go to Africa - I'd call it a good opportunity - as long as she's had her injections and I imagine she would be all
jabbed up after South America. Have a love time. Love Janetr
ooh err Not sure if you are still having a good time? Makes our pottering around Argentina sound very sedate. It is good to hear about the good things as well as the not so....in this football mad country the TV seems to have let the African Nations Cup go by without mention whilst still showing lots of second rate European games. And I wasn´t talking about the Chelsea v Liverpool game. Ciao. A & S
Coral, Glad to hear that despite a difficult few days, you are OK. Hopefully you'll settle in to this new accom. quickly. Stick a named badge on all the kids or just call them 'mate'. I think of you often, usually just as I'm flushing the loo or getting in the shower!!! Only kidding! You will never look at our sanitation in the same way again! We take it so much for granted! Good Luck and Take Care.
Love from Alison.
Character building Dear Coral, You have obviously dealt with some unpleasant situations very well indeed. Well done! And obviously the football is extremely rewarding. Is Steph still coming out? In retrospect, reality is always more reliable than dreams. Much love, Rosx
Glad you are ok Hi matey. Sounds like you are having a challenging time just now. I am sure that you will breeze through it coz you always cope well in crisis. Sorry to hear that some things went missing, very difficult to deal with when staying as a guest in someone's house. Hope the rest of the trip improves for you. Shame about Ghana but they gave it a good try. Take good care of yourself. Love Barbara xxxx
Dad
non-member comment
Second Tour and Slimfast Diet !
Perhaps you can market your diet when you get home ? ( Although you might have to gloss over the high temperature bit !) Glad to see you settled in with a new community . Isn't always the same with those who have the least can show the most amazing resilience and pleasure at the simplest pleasures ? I really wonder if , for all our material things - mobile 'phones, internet,cars , mp3 players,satnavs , etc. etc. we lead happy lives ? All those clever (?) financial people who made "loadsamoney" out of lending money to "NINJAS" ( No Income no jobs no assets ) are happy now the Vultures have come home to roost ? What a series of miserable thoughts to greet your Blog ! Have a wonderful time and take care " Out There" ? ( By kind permission of "Hill Street Blues" !! Love. Dad