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Published: March 2nd 2008
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My boys !!
Some of the junior under 12's and under 14's after training on Thurs 21st Feb Apologies for the delay in posting my next blog,but I have had little or no access to the internet over the past week and a half.
I have managed to download 13 pictures this time so they give you all a good flavour of what I have been up to.
My last week whizzed past and I enjoyed some great training sessions especially with the juniors,some of whom made a big impression on me.Steph arrived on Thurs night,21st Feb,and one of the first things she said was 'You've lost weight!!' which confirmed my suspicions.We both made it to my last senior training session and I thanked the guys was allowing me to join them I promised to re visit next year if they won their division this season - watch this space !! Steph bought out more supplies including trainers for the coaches,some socks for league matches and a much needed first aid kit.In the afternoon I did my final training session with the under 12's and under 14's.Afterwards we had a match between an Amoko 11 and Sly's coaches team.12 of the kids wanted to play for me so my team was already decided although I added Adjety
Posing with Prince Tagoe
Prince is an under 23 player for Ghana who currently plays in Israel.He wants to play for Man Utd. as insurance in goal.Steph pointed out that I seemed to have all the smaller players but this was not a problem for me as I am not exactly huge.I was helped by 'Ghana Lampard' the team trainer complete with his new first aid kit and one of the senior players.We made a substitution just before half time and scored straight away.I told them at half time to just keep playing with smiles on their faces and Nunu scored a 2nd goal 5 mins from the end.2-0 and a great way to finish my time coaching.After a mammoth photo session we visited Nana and gave out more presents before a quick bath - hooray - and supper.We finished the day at Friends bar for a farewell drink or 2.
Sat we got an STC long distance bus to Takoradi.We even managed to get down graded to a non air con bus.Then a taxi to Green Turtle Lodge for 3 nights of relaxing.It is a great place to unwind - no tv or mobile signal but a lovely beach,cheap cocktails and nice food.We visited the local village twice including once with Victor who is heavily involved with the turtle lodge.Danny, an
With the seniors
This was taken after my final training session with the seniors - I think I look quite good at 8 in the morning !! American volunteer, took us on an hours turtle walk at 6am on Monday and explained what he had been doing during his stay.He had set up a wildlife club with 60 kids from 3 schools to help educate them about turtles.We also visited the local clinic and met a 2hour old baby girl.
We left reluctantly on Tues to head to Cape Coast.Another STC bus,this time with air con and then a taxi to Stalag 17 oops sorry Hans Cottage.Our taxi driver Alfred proved to be invaluable over the next few days.As you can tell,I was not impressed with the hotel - electric shocks from the shower,rude staff,building work including around the pool making it inaccessable and little or no information.We visited Elmina and Cape Coast castles in one day.Must sees but a stark reminder of how cruel the human race can be.We had dinner at the Oasis Beach Resort and decided to leave Stalag for our last night.
It was so nice to spend a week unwinding but the best thing was chatting and catching-up with Steph.E mails and text messages are okay,but there is nothing like spending some 'quality time' with one of your best friends.We headed to
Team Amoko
This is me with the victorious team after our 2-0 victory over Team Sly. Accra airport on Friday evening, courtesy of Alfred, and Steph flew home.I then met up with Rebeca,one of the co-ordinators for Original Volunteers, and we met 2 newbies off the plane.
We drove for almost 3 hours into the mountain region of Kwahu.We all slept at the volunteer house and then yesterday I was taken to my new house.I am staying with Jeremiah and Grace in a house in the grounds of a children's home. It has a nursery school that caters for 30 3-4 year olds plus 19 kids staying in the home.I have a big light room and running water including a shower and flushing loo.Fred,Rebeca's husband is keen for me to be involved with the local soccer team as well and I will visit some schools so no chance of getting bored.There are 3 internet cafes but all a taxi ride away.The road up to the village is spectacular so I hope to have photos for next time.
I am trying to eat sensibly as I was a little unwell at the end of last week.
Well it is now dark so I must find a taxi home so I can eat some dinner.
Happy
My personal bodyguard
This is Adjety with his reward for saving my camera - a new goalkeepers shirt mothers day Mum !!
Hope everyone is well and happy,
Coral x
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Steph
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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