Ekyre (we shall meet again) Ghana!

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7/25/10

The only reason I know today’s date is because we’re leaving 1 a.m. tomorrow. This time last month was a whole other lifetime ago. I cannot believe how much I’ve experienced in such a short period of time. If my checking account allows I will one day come back here. I’m serious about wanting to live and work here for a year (or more). Sure, Ghana could use the resources I have access to, but, more selfishly, I could use the lessons Ghana still has to teach me. I’m officially hungry for more.

I am also a Western soul who misses home. Besides my family, friends and pets (Good God Badger is going to drop dead of a happy heart attack when he sees me, or so I’ve been told), these are the things I miss the most:

• A hot shower that works all of the time with pressure.
• Public restrooms --- even the ones at gas stations. You have no idea.
• Getting what I ordered. Yesterday I bought a Star beer to take home, opened my bag to find a Heineken.
• Privacy. I cannot get Internet in my room, so I sit in the lobby to upload and check emails. It doesn’t matter where I go, as soon as I sit in a public place there are people next to me watching what I am doing. They’re just curious, and I would never offend by pushing them away --- back home few are actually interested in what I am doing; even fewer are excited about it. Besides, I came here to ask them questions and learn about their lives. Why shouldn’t they be able to do the same? So, I shouldn’t complain, but I’m American, so there you go.
• Just-right time that is ON time. It’s hard to adjust to a slower, take-it-as-it-comes way of life when you’ve been trained to rush, rush, rush, so that you can go, go, go.
• My own bed and bathroom. It’s been great rooming with Maria. We’ve made the best out of what could have been uncomfortable situations --- like sharing a bed that is barely bigger than a twin size. BUT, it’s nice to be on your own wrinkled sheets and on your own private throne. I guess it goes back to that privacy thing.
• ICE in my drinks! Watch out world because as soon as I get home I am pouring a lemon vodka and cranberry on as much ice as possible. Make that two or three, and yes I will be floating in my pool --- I miss that too.

There is also so much that I will miss about Ghana. I’ve bought lovely gifts and wonderful artifacts to share with my students, but I cannot take the best of Ghana home with me. Perhaps that’s the way it should be, but oooh if I could I would stuff the following in my suitcases:

• THE PEOPLE! All of them (okay, not those who exploit their brothers and sisters). I read about Ghana’s hospitality and assumed it would be like it is in south eastern United States. I know now that’s like comparing McDonalds to Ruth Chris Steak House. We’re nice and all, but nothing compares to the genuine love and interest in others that Ghanaians seem to be born with. My words will never do them justice. If any of you decide to visit here, don’t make assumptions based on the streets and alleyways. That guy with dusty feet and old clothes crossing the street with suitcases on his head just may know a whole lot more about the world than some of your best teachers, and he’d be happy to share it all with you if you had the time.

To quote Cynthia, the sweet manager at our current hotel, when asked about how she survives off of what little she makes, "over here we live by the grace of God." They may not know it, but I do believe God's grace shines well on them.

• I can’t believe I’m going to type this, but the shopping --- not because of the buying. At first I was overwhelmed by the bartering process (and a little ashamed that I was trying to reduce already low prices), but after I got comfortable with the language and the way of the market I learned that shopping is a social event. It is sooooo much fun joking with people. Venita caught on the best. I can’t tell you how many times she made someone laugh out loud because she’d touch her heart and say, “you’re hurting me with that price!” We had a blast yesterday spending our last cedis at dress shops near our hotel. Chrispina, a shopkeeper, seemed to have so much fun with us that she actually dashed us --- giving us a free bracelet just for the fun of it. Medassi Pa to all the men and women I got to know via shopping.
• The ethnic languages, even though I don’t understand most of it. It’s metaphorical and rhythmic, which brings me to their music. Language and music are as vital to living as water and breathing. You see it, you hear it, you feel it in everything.
• The rain forest and coastline. You’ve seen some of the pics, so no need to go into detail. But wow what a beautiful country.
• Fresh pineapple juice! Pineapple, mango, coconut and bananas all taste sooooo much better here. Oh and the avocados too --- they’re big and yummy all by themselves.

I could go on, but I have some last-minute packing to do, and some things to give away, some video to upload and some photos to organize. I need to capture a month’s time into a small presentation for work, so that we can share a quick taste with our colleagues next week. Good God I go back to work on Tuesday! I can’t even imagine that life right now.

As for the pictures I’m posting, they’re just some fun shots I thought I’d post as a good-bye gift (for this trip). I’ll try to provide captions, but if Internet is slow you’ll have to attach your own stories to the imagery. I’ll see some of you tomorrow!

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Photos

Delores, Me and Maria
waiting to board the plane that brought us here a month ago.

don't even know
what Sandra is eating, nor does she.

Auntie Yah!
the retired school teacher from New York.

Chrispina!
our favorite shopkeeper.

Comments

[debbie]

welcome home
I am sorry I did not read this until now... what an experience... Great writing. Beautiful pictures.