Well medamfos, t-minus 7 days and counting. It's hard to believe I've been away from home for 10 months. It feels like just yesterday that I was getting off the plane in Accra, and now I'm about to get on one. It's definetally a very bitter sweet feeling. Bitter because I've fallen in love with my host family and the simplicity of life. But sweet because I start school in September (I graduated high school!!!!! :]) , I get to put all these things I've learned in Ghana to use and I have the rest of my life to live! One of the things that really hit me that I'm going home is that since I got to Sunyani I'd be promising Junior and Kwasi that I'd take them to the pool right before I left. And when I took them, I finally realized that I'm about to leave. I can tell its going to be harder leaving here than coming. I knew I'd eventually go home when I first go here, but now that I'm leaving I don't know when I'll be coming back! I'm curious to see how the cross culture shock affect me. Coming from Ghana where people live on less than a dollar a day, where kids don't have shoes to walk in but still they have to walk 3 miles to fetch water. Going to America where people think they need a new phone, car or tv, even though their things still work. Where if you dont wear Abercrombie, you're not "cool". People materialistic ambitions annoy me and I'm not even back in the States yet! It sounds rather harsh, and of course we should live comfortably, but do we really need the unnecessary things that we buy everyday (retorical question)? I think that being back with the people I used to surround myself with will be a bit difficult. Not that they've changed, but I've changed (Yeresesem! siiiike! Kukurudu!). I won't like things that I used to like and vice versa.
But at the same time, It'll be nice to get home. Not dealing with constant heat (though I've heard it like 90 degrees with 600% humidity), having a diverse meal selection and just being around my family and just being home in general.
I just hope that I can put these things that I've learned into good use when I get home. I've made some good decisions and some bad ones, but I just hope I can learn from them. This has been the greatest year of my life. It really has changed my life; not in the fact that I was a drug dealer or alcoholic, but now I appreciate the small things in life. At times I cursed myself for coming to Ghana, but I couldnt have made a better decision in my 19 years of living on this big blue marble we call Earth (Thank you Ron Burgundy). I would encourage any highschooler to become an exchange student. It's fun, challenging, aggrivating and difficult, but in the end it'll only help you! And (it sounds like a plug) but if you're to old to be an AFS exchange student, host a student. It'll change your life more than it changes theirs!
Well, this will be my last blog from Sunyani (it kind of hurts to say that *sigh*). I'll be leaving Sunyani on Sunday morning, will spend a few days in Accra with medamfo Wes and then will leave Ghana on Tuesday and arrive in Nashville on Wednsday! That 303 days went fast!
Until next time! God Bless!!!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Sunyani, Ghana 6-9-2009
Hi Everyone!
Well just 24 days left in Ghana! Its getting a bit surreal. All this sitting, waiting, wishing for the past 9 months has almost come to an end. At this point I'm getting a little bit sad to leave. Ill miss a lot of things in Ghana, but especially my host family. They've taught me what Ghana is all about and I love them not only for that but for their love, kindness and hospitality. Its been a difficult 9 months, but I've learned so much from it!
I had received a comment on my last blog- my three regrets. I personally thought I did a good thing by admitting my mistakes and learning from them, and in turn trying to fix them in my last 2 months. Ghana has made me into a rather passive person, but at the same time its made me into a person who wont take you-know-what. I was not insulted by this comment-you can read it for yourself- because as Proverbs 12:16 says "...A prudent man overlooks an insult." So rather than argue with this person who I've never met in my entire life, Id just like to defend myself(and Wes as well, because I feel bad for pulling him into this).
Number 1: I unintentionally made it sound like myself and Wesley spent every second together and spent no time with Ghanaians. Which is completely incorrect and I sincerely apologize. I had said we spent a lot of time together, but I didn't mention that we also didn't spend a lot of time together. I made it sound like we'd get breakfast everyday and go to the Internet cafe everyday. Not true: Only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Also, from mid-October up until Easter Break we would rarely ever see each other on the weekends. You also have to understand that when I wasn't at school, I was with my host family. Its not that I didn't try to make friends, but I'm very content with being with my host family. Instead of hanging out with friends, I thought it was more fun and productive to help cook, clean and help out around the house; enjoying my families company. Not only that, but I play football with the kids of my junction numerous times a week. So its not like I wake up, go to town with Wesley, go home and go straight to my room. I spent a lot of time with Wes and enjoy his company- and still do-, but I also spend a lot of time with Ghanaians. I take Junior and Kwasi to watch football matches, I take them to the market, I buy them things that they need. That being said I am NOT, and have NOT secluded myself.
Number 2: To tell someone they are a bad representation of AFS is absolutely atrocious. Any exchange student with AFS who leaves their comfort zone and home, to live in a new place to learn a new culture for 10 months as a teenager, is NOT a poor representation of AFS!
Now to the real reason of this blog!
In this blog I have three topics for you: Teaching, Traveling and Malaria.
Teaching:
Well, I had been going to school for the past 8 months. And after Easter break, I realized that I had received all the credits I needed to graduate. So I decided to make the change to teaching English to Primary students-Basics 4-6- at Junior and Kwasi's school, South Ridge Model School. I wanted to see what the other side of the classroom felt like. Right away I felt much more productive and rewarded. I was planning on just teaching English to Basic 2, but the teacher seemed rather oblivious to the fact that I wanted to teach. So the Headmistress then took me to Basic 4 where I taught for one day. Then, the next day she pretty much gave me a mandatory recommendation that I should also teach Basics 5 and 6, which I was all for. I teach each class- about 25 students each- for and hour each day, from 7:45 to 11:45. I'm enjoying it so much! They're a great group of kids that work hard and pay attention, but at times they're hard to control. But partly thats my fault for trying to use my broken Twi which makes them laugh uncontrollably. haha. But at the same time its mutual, because some of the things they say are hysterical! It is hard to get them to contribute sometimes though because they've become so intimidated by teachers. Especially B-4, because their regular teach- despite the fact that hes a nice guy- is rather harsh on them: "You lazy girls!", "You stupid boys!", "You wont make it to B-5!", while caning the students who answer a question incorrectly. Obviously I'm not going to do that, but they don't really think I wont. So it can be difficult at times. Initially I was planning on teaching Basic 2 , under the heat of Juniors pressure. And Kwasi told me "DO NOT TEACH BASIC 5!" So when I left Basic 2 for Basic 5, they were both mad at me! haha.
Traveling:
So, Ive been all over Ghana for the most part. But Ill just give you my impressions on the three largest cities in Ghana: Accra, Kumasi and Tamale.
ACCRA- The largest and most populous city in Ghana. A very lively city with a great nightlife. I had gone there for about a week in March and it was a bit surreal going to a massive city with a lot of things to do with so many white people walking around. In 5 days I didn't get called obroni once, and literally the first thing I hear when I get off the bus in Sunyani is "OBRONI!" haha. I enjoyed pretty much everything about Accra, other than the traffic. Its absolutely horrid in Accra. To get from one part of Accra to the other can take over two hours, while crammed into a trotro! Other than that Accra is amazing.
Kumasi-By far my favorite city in Ghana. It has a very Ghanaian feel to it to a pretty modern city. The Garden City of West Africa is by far the cleanest city ive been in in Ghana-In Ghanaian standards that is. The people are very friendly and helpful. The transportation and traffic is bearable and affordable. And Kumasi sits in a position in Ghana that is in decent distance to alot of major cities in Ghana. Kumasi has a very lively atmosphere to a very chill, enjoyable city.
Tamale-Its the third largest city in Ghana, but has a very small town feel to it. Its not a bad town, but my least favorite of the three. There wasn't much to do when I was there, but it had a nice feel and the people were nice. A very very hot place to be, but luckily the place we were at had AC. One thing that really impressed me was the fact that the people of Tamale spoke such good English! Better than people in Accra and Kumasi. The reason being, I believe, is that there are so many different languages that they need a common language. I think thats also the reason for some conflict in the North. Also, Islam is the main religion. Which is very interesting to see a mosque on every corner instead of a church.
Malaria:
So, I went 9 1/2 months with out getting malaria, then within 30 minutes, I got it. I got it this past Thursday evening. I felt normal all the way until 5pm when I started getting weak, fatigued and had diarrhea. During the night I woke up numerous times to use the toilet. I woke up around 7 am and new I had Malaria or food poisoning -from the 10 mangoes I ate on Thursday(I will never touch a mango again). That morning I would wake up go to the toilet, go back to sleep, over and over again. Around 10 am Adu took me to the Hospital. I wouldn't have been able to go if it weren't for Adu. I was so weak that I could barely roll up the window of his truck. I got a lot of blank stares as I wobbled into the hospital drenched in sweat. The hospital was a nightmare. Its an open hospital so everything you had to do, you had to walk to another part. So we first filled out the paperwork, then walked to the nurses office, walked to see the doctor, saw the doctor, walked to the lab, got blood taken, waited for the results(Malaria it is) walked back to the doctors office, walked to the pharmacy, Adu had to go into town to buy the malaria injection(THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE MALARIA INJECTION AT A HOSPITAL ON THE CONTINENT WHERE MALARIA IS MOST PREVALENT!), I passed out on a chair while he got the meds, walked back to the injection room, got the shot in my right cheek(its still numb) and after 3 hours, I got to go home! Friday was the most miserable day Ive lived in Ghana. Ill name a few of the symptoms: fatigue but couldn't sleep, weakness, diarrhea, headache, neck ache, loss of appetite, fever, nausea, irritable. It was miserable(though I found it odd that through all the pain and suffering, I was craving a box of Cheez-its!) But Saturday up to today Ive felt fine other than a lingering stomach ache. My stomach is in a lot of pain(not anymore, but on Saturday and Sunday), but I couldn't use the toilet. It was because of Dehydration, but I couldn't drink anything. Its been a lot better lately. At first I was feeling bad for myself, but now I just laugh at myself and think of it as my official stamp on my trip to Ghana. So I'm just laughing at myself and think that in 22 Ill be enjoying the Tennessee humidity(Ill even enjoy the humidity! haha!)
Well just 24 days left in Ghana! Its getting a bit surreal. All this sitting, waiting, wishing for the past 9 months has almost come to an end. At this point I'm getting a little bit sad to leave. Ill miss a lot of things in Ghana, but especially my host family. They've taught me what Ghana is all about and I love them not only for that but for their love, kindness and hospitality. Its been a difficult 9 months, but I've learned so much from it!
I had received a comment on my last blog- my three regrets. I personally thought I did a good thing by admitting my mistakes and learning from them, and in turn trying to fix them in my last 2 months. Ghana has made me into a rather passive person, but at the same time its made me into a person who wont take you-know-what. I was not insulted by this comment-you can read it for yourself- because as Proverbs 12:16 says "...A prudent man overlooks an insult." So rather than argue with this person who I've never met in my entire life, Id just like to defend myself(and Wes as well, because I feel bad for pulling him into this).
Number 1: I unintentionally made it sound like myself and Wesley spent every second together and spent no time with Ghanaians. Which is completely incorrect and I sincerely apologize. I had said we spent a lot of time together, but I didn't mention that we also didn't spend a lot of time together. I made it sound like we'd get breakfast everyday and go to the Internet cafe everyday. Not true: Only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Also, from mid-October up until Easter Break we would rarely ever see each other on the weekends. You also have to understand that when I wasn't at school, I was with my host family. Its not that I didn't try to make friends, but I'm very content with being with my host family. Instead of hanging out with friends, I thought it was more fun and productive to help cook, clean and help out around the house; enjoying my families company. Not only that, but I play football with the kids of my junction numerous times a week. So its not like I wake up, go to town with Wesley, go home and go straight to my room. I spent a lot of time with Wes and enjoy his company- and still do-, but I also spend a lot of time with Ghanaians. I take Junior and Kwasi to watch football matches, I take them to the market, I buy them things that they need. That being said I am NOT, and have NOT secluded myself.
Number 2: To tell someone they are a bad representation of AFS is absolutely atrocious. Any exchange student with AFS who leaves their comfort zone and home, to live in a new place to learn a new culture for 10 months as a teenager, is NOT a poor representation of AFS!
Now to the real reason of this blog!
In this blog I have three topics for you: Teaching, Traveling and Malaria.
Teaching:
Well, I had been going to school for the past 8 months. And after Easter break, I realized that I had received all the credits I needed to graduate. So I decided to make the change to teaching English to Primary students-Basics 4-6- at Junior and Kwasi's school, South Ridge Model School. I wanted to see what the other side of the classroom felt like. Right away I felt much more productive and rewarded. I was planning on just teaching English to Basic 2, but the teacher seemed rather oblivious to the fact that I wanted to teach. So the Headmistress then took me to Basic 4 where I taught for one day. Then, the next day she pretty much gave me a mandatory recommendation that I should also teach Basics 5 and 6, which I was all for. I teach each class- about 25 students each- for and hour each day, from 7:45 to 11:45. I'm enjoying it so much! They're a great group of kids that work hard and pay attention, but at times they're hard to control. But partly thats my fault for trying to use my broken Twi which makes them laugh uncontrollably. haha. But at the same time its mutual, because some of the things they say are hysterical! It is hard to get them to contribute sometimes though because they've become so intimidated by teachers. Especially B-4, because their regular teach- despite the fact that hes a nice guy- is rather harsh on them: "You lazy girls!", "You stupid boys!", "You wont make it to B-5!", while caning the students who answer a question incorrectly. Obviously I'm not going to do that, but they don't really think I wont. So it can be difficult at times. Initially I was planning on teaching Basic 2 , under the heat of Juniors pressure. And Kwasi told me "DO NOT TEACH BASIC 5!" So when I left Basic 2 for Basic 5, they were both mad at me! haha.
Traveling:
So, Ive been all over Ghana for the most part. But Ill just give you my impressions on the three largest cities in Ghana: Accra, Kumasi and Tamale.
ACCRA- The largest and most populous city in Ghana. A very lively city with a great nightlife. I had gone there for about a week in March and it was a bit surreal going to a massive city with a lot of things to do with so many white people walking around. In 5 days I didn't get called obroni once, and literally the first thing I hear when I get off the bus in Sunyani is "OBRONI!" haha. I enjoyed pretty much everything about Accra, other than the traffic. Its absolutely horrid in Accra. To get from one part of Accra to the other can take over two hours, while crammed into a trotro! Other than that Accra is amazing.
Kumasi-By far my favorite city in Ghana. It has a very Ghanaian feel to it to a pretty modern city. The Garden City of West Africa is by far the cleanest city ive been in in Ghana-In Ghanaian standards that is. The people are very friendly and helpful. The transportation and traffic is bearable and affordable. And Kumasi sits in a position in Ghana that is in decent distance to alot of major cities in Ghana. Kumasi has a very lively atmosphere to a very chill, enjoyable city.
Tamale-Its the third largest city in Ghana, but has a very small town feel to it. Its not a bad town, but my least favorite of the three. There wasn't much to do when I was there, but it had a nice feel and the people were nice. A very very hot place to be, but luckily the place we were at had AC. One thing that really impressed me was the fact that the people of Tamale spoke such good English! Better than people in Accra and Kumasi. The reason being, I believe, is that there are so many different languages that they need a common language. I think thats also the reason for some conflict in the North. Also, Islam is the main religion. Which is very interesting to see a mosque on every corner instead of a church.
Malaria:
So, I went 9 1/2 months with out getting malaria, then within 30 minutes, I got it. I got it this past Thursday evening. I felt normal all the way until 5pm when I started getting weak, fatigued and had diarrhea. During the night I woke up numerous times to use the toilet. I woke up around 7 am and new I had Malaria or food poisoning -from the 10 mangoes I ate on Thursday(I will never touch a mango again). That morning I would wake up go to the toilet, go back to sleep, over and over again. Around 10 am Adu took me to the Hospital. I wouldn't have been able to go if it weren't for Adu. I was so weak that I could barely roll up the window of his truck. I got a lot of blank stares as I wobbled into the hospital drenched in sweat. The hospital was a nightmare. Its an open hospital so everything you had to do, you had to walk to another part. So we first filled out the paperwork, then walked to the nurses office, walked to see the doctor, saw the doctor, walked to the lab, got blood taken, waited for the results(Malaria it is) walked back to the doctors office, walked to the pharmacy, Adu had to go into town to buy the malaria injection(THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE MALARIA INJECTION AT A HOSPITAL ON THE CONTINENT WHERE MALARIA IS MOST PREVALENT!), I passed out on a chair while he got the meds, walked back to the injection room, got the shot in my right cheek(its still numb) and after 3 hours, I got to go home! Friday was the most miserable day Ive lived in Ghana. Ill name a few of the symptoms: fatigue but couldn't sleep, weakness, diarrhea, headache, neck ache, loss of appetite, fever, nausea, irritable. It was miserable(though I found it odd that through all the pain and suffering, I was craving a box of Cheez-its!) But Saturday up to today Ive felt fine other than a lingering stomach ache. My stomach is in a lot of pain(not anymore, but on Saturday and Sunday), but I couldn't use the toilet. It was because of Dehydration, but I couldn't drink anything. Its been a lot better lately. At first I was feeling bad for myself, but now I just laugh at myself and think of it as my official stamp on my trip to Ghana. So I'm just laughing at myself and think that in 22 Ill be enjoying the Tennessee humidity(Ill even enjoy the humidity! haha!)
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Sunyani, Ghana 5-15-2009
Hi everyone!
Time has been flying by lately! Ive been trying to take it slow for my last 47 days in Ghana but my urge to get home is a bit unbearable! Luckily Ive been traveling alot lately and plan to do some more. When I get done with my travels, Ill write a blog about the places Ive been and compare cities! But its hard not to think about going home when its just right around the corner! To be honest, Ive caught myself Wikipedia-ing Boeing 747's and checking and re-checking my return flight itinerary! haha. Ill try and write as much as I can before I leave!
Before I start Id like to thank Aunt May and Rich for sending me a care package! I thoroughly enjoyed it(and couldnt put down the books either!).
Second, Id like to congratulate J and Kristen on their new baby boy, Nathaniel Pon! Hes got a great set of parents who will raise him well!
Ill give you a prelude to this blog. The closer I get to going home, the more I reminisce about this trip and also the things I regret doing or not doing. Im not a person who regrets alot of things, but I found 5 that came to mind very quickly. And Id like to give you 3 of them.
Number 3: Not writing in September.
Ive kept a pretty detailed journal in Ghana, something Ive never done before. Ive filled five full journals and have dubbed them "The Gladelife: Ghana, editions 1-5". Ive found myself writing about things that have happened, school, family life, Ghana in general, and all sorts of miscellaneous things. I write about 4-5 pages a day-usually its just nonsense things that keep me occupied. But in September I really did not write at all. The reason I regret it is because I cant even remember anything from that time, it was all a gigantic Ghanaian blur. Which obviously I wont remember 10 years down the road. I was so depressed and homesick that I had no urge to write. But now that I think about it, I think it would've helped my homesickness as a way to vent, like it does now. At that point I would write a line a day, sometimes, and even skip a few days at a time. Ill give you a couple entries that I wrote in September (note, I arrived in Sunyani 9-9-2009):
9-11-2008
"Im so constipated!"
9-12-2008
"THIS FOOD SUCKS! I miss home and dads cooking!"
9-13-2008
"Only 286 more days til I go home!"
9-14-2008
"Oh, I just took my first dump in 6 days!"
9-16-2008
"Did host mom just fart at the dinner table?"
9-17-2008
"I dont want to say I regret coming, but I think I might regret it! School sucks!"
9-24-2008
"Who knew Africa could be so hot!"
9-27-2008
"I wish I could get two double cheeseburgers, a Mcchicken and a sweet tea. Maybe I should ask Beep to send that to me."
9-29-2008
"Im finally able to get my fufu down with out gagging! Even its name is derogatory: f-u-f-u?!?!"
9-30-2008
"I woke up last night to mice and roaches in my room. I killed about 6 roaches. It took me like an hour to go back to sleep, I ended up having to put my noise canceling headphones on! Then of course Adu has his African music blasting at 6am! WTF?!"
Now you get an idea of my September 2008. The most writing I did was for my blog!
Number 2: Constantly being with obronis.
When I first arrived in Sunyani, there was already Barbel, an AFS volunteer from Italy, and of course Iris and Wesley came with me. Barbel and Iris live on a different side of Sunyani than I. But Wesley lives in Baakoniaba, the same part of Sunyani as I, about a 10 minute walk away from me. It was very comfortable being with each other at first because we are both Americans in the same situation. But we got into such a routine that we were together constantly, other than when we were at home. On school days we'd get our egg sandwiches, go to school, sit in the same class, after school we'd go to the Internet cafe, then we'd go home. And the first while I was in Sunyani I would just stay home on the weekends because it was my niche. So constantly Ghanaians would only see me when I was with another white person. It got to the point where we were asked if we were twins. TWIN?! Now, don't get me wrong, I am very pleased that I got put with Wes. We get along very well! But I think that after that transition period, we should've done our own thing during the week, then just gotten together on weekends. Our routine was just so perfect that I didnt even think that maybe Ghanaians thought we were secluding ourselves. But in fact we were just trying to live our day to day lives. And by the time I realized this, I was thinking to myself "Well, I leave in another couple of months, there's no point in changing now!" But also when I think about it, I would've been friendless if it weren't for Wes. Its not that I don't like Ghanaian teens, but we come from such polar opposite backgrounds that its very hard to find common interests. And then when it seems you've found a cool person, they want something from you. Its happens all to often. Kids at school either: 1)completely ignore me(my favorite...no sarcasm) 2)make fun of me 3)want something from me. So its a very hard loose loose situation for me. But from what Ive seen, when whites come to Ghana they seem to stick together.
Number 1: Not trying hard enough to learn Twi.
My biggest regret is not trying hard enough to learn Twi. When I first arrived in Sunyani, I was a bit overwhelmed to even try to learn Twi .But after that same transistion period, I started learning Twi. Everyday I'd try to learn a couple of words and I even started a notebook for my Twi. By the end of 2008 I had all the basics down and was able to understand some of the things people were saying. But by mid January I got into this attitude where I felt like I had seen everything and experienced all of Ghana. I felt like June was so far away and I was constantly in a pissed off mood. I hated everything about Ghana: food,school,language, weather,the people, everything. And if you read back on my blogs you can really tell that I wasnt very happy. I was always criticising things and I was in a very negative mood daily. I was homesick and it just felt like I had been in Ghana an eternity and I felt I had even longer until I was able to go home. I didn't really snap out of this trance until mid March. Thats when I started traveling, and it started realistically feeling like going home was soon to come. That's when I was feeling much more positive and I got back into trying to learn Twi. But by then I had already forgotten some of the things I had already learned. So I had to kind of re-learn what I had forgotten. The reason I regret it is because now Im quite decent at speaking it. I've been complimented by both Ghanaians and other Obronis. If I hadn't have stopped for two months I would have been so much better at it, maybe close to fluent. I realize its not the most useful language in the States, but it still leaves an impression on Ghanaians that I am trying to learn their language. I would have been able to understand more things and I think I would have gotten a better experience. It is a shame that when whites come to Ghana, not many try very hard to learn the language-whether it is usefull or not, me included.
So in conclusion, if I were to redo my trip to Ghana I would have worked on those areas. But I do feel good for being able to realize what I did or did not do and learn from those mistakes. Lifes all about learning, right?
God bless!
Time has been flying by lately! Ive been trying to take it slow for my last 47 days in Ghana but my urge to get home is a bit unbearable! Luckily Ive been traveling alot lately and plan to do some more. When I get done with my travels, Ill write a blog about the places Ive been and compare cities! But its hard not to think about going home when its just right around the corner! To be honest, Ive caught myself Wikipedia-ing Boeing 747's and checking and re-checking my return flight itinerary! haha. Ill try and write as much as I can before I leave!
Before I start Id like to thank Aunt May and Rich for sending me a care package! I thoroughly enjoyed it(and couldnt put down the books either!).
Second, Id like to congratulate J and Kristen on their new baby boy, Nathaniel Pon! Hes got a great set of parents who will raise him well!
Ill give you a prelude to this blog. The closer I get to going home, the more I reminisce about this trip and also the things I regret doing or not doing. Im not a person who regrets alot of things, but I found 5 that came to mind very quickly. And Id like to give you 3 of them.
Number 3: Not writing in September.
Ive kept a pretty detailed journal in Ghana, something Ive never done before. Ive filled five full journals and have dubbed them "The Gladelife: Ghana, editions 1-5". Ive found myself writing about things that have happened, school, family life, Ghana in general, and all sorts of miscellaneous things. I write about 4-5 pages a day-usually its just nonsense things that keep me occupied. But in September I really did not write at all. The reason I regret it is because I cant even remember anything from that time, it was all a gigantic Ghanaian blur. Which obviously I wont remember 10 years down the road. I was so depressed and homesick that I had no urge to write. But now that I think about it, I think it would've helped my homesickness as a way to vent, like it does now. At that point I would write a line a day, sometimes, and even skip a few days at a time. Ill give you a couple entries that I wrote in September (note, I arrived in Sunyani 9-9-2009):
9-11-2008
"Im so constipated!"
9-12-2008
"THIS FOOD SUCKS! I miss home and dads cooking!"
9-13-2008
"Only 286 more days til I go home!"
9-14-2008
"Oh, I just took my first dump in 6 days!"
9-16-2008
"Did host mom just fart at the dinner table?"
9-17-2008
"I dont want to say I regret coming, but I think I might regret it! School sucks!"
9-24-2008
"Who knew Africa could be so hot!"
9-27-2008
"I wish I could get two double cheeseburgers, a Mcchicken and a sweet tea. Maybe I should ask Beep to send that to me."
9-29-2008
"Im finally able to get my fufu down with out gagging! Even its name is derogatory: f-u-f-u?!?!"
9-30-2008
"I woke up last night to mice and roaches in my room. I killed about 6 roaches. It took me like an hour to go back to sleep, I ended up having to put my noise canceling headphones on! Then of course Adu has his African music blasting at 6am! WTF?!"
Now you get an idea of my September 2008. The most writing I did was for my blog!
Number 2: Constantly being with obronis.
When I first arrived in Sunyani, there was already Barbel, an AFS volunteer from Italy, and of course Iris and Wesley came with me. Barbel and Iris live on a different side of Sunyani than I. But Wesley lives in Baakoniaba, the same part of Sunyani as I, about a 10 minute walk away from me. It was very comfortable being with each other at first because we are both Americans in the same situation. But we got into such a routine that we were together constantly, other than when we were at home. On school days we'd get our egg sandwiches, go to school, sit in the same class, after school we'd go to the Internet cafe, then we'd go home. And the first while I was in Sunyani I would just stay home on the weekends because it was my niche. So constantly Ghanaians would only see me when I was with another white person. It got to the point where we were asked if we were twins. TWIN?! Now, don't get me wrong, I am very pleased that I got put with Wes. We get along very well! But I think that after that transition period, we should've done our own thing during the week, then just gotten together on weekends. Our routine was just so perfect that I didnt even think that maybe Ghanaians thought we were secluding ourselves. But in fact we were just trying to live our day to day lives. And by the time I realized this, I was thinking to myself "Well, I leave in another couple of months, there's no point in changing now!" But also when I think about it, I would've been friendless if it weren't for Wes. Its not that I don't like Ghanaian teens, but we come from such polar opposite backgrounds that its very hard to find common interests. And then when it seems you've found a cool person, they want something from you. Its happens all to often. Kids at school either: 1)completely ignore me(my favorite...no sarcasm) 2)make fun of me 3)want something from me. So its a very hard loose loose situation for me. But from what Ive seen, when whites come to Ghana they seem to stick together.
Number 1: Not trying hard enough to learn Twi.
My biggest regret is not trying hard enough to learn Twi. When I first arrived in Sunyani, I was a bit overwhelmed to even try to learn Twi .But after that same transistion period, I started learning Twi. Everyday I'd try to learn a couple of words and I even started a notebook for my Twi. By the end of 2008 I had all the basics down and was able to understand some of the things people were saying. But by mid January I got into this attitude where I felt like I had seen everything and experienced all of Ghana. I felt like June was so far away and I was constantly in a pissed off mood. I hated everything about Ghana: food,school,language, weather,the people, everything. And if you read back on my blogs you can really tell that I wasnt very happy. I was always criticising things and I was in a very negative mood daily. I was homesick and it just felt like I had been in Ghana an eternity and I felt I had even longer until I was able to go home. I didn't really snap out of this trance until mid March. Thats when I started traveling, and it started realistically feeling like going home was soon to come. That's when I was feeling much more positive and I got back into trying to learn Twi. But by then I had already forgotten some of the things I had already learned. So I had to kind of re-learn what I had forgotten. The reason I regret it is because now Im quite decent at speaking it. I've been complimented by both Ghanaians and other Obronis. If I hadn't have stopped for two months I would have been so much better at it, maybe close to fluent. I realize its not the most useful language in the States, but it still leaves an impression on Ghanaians that I am trying to learn their language. I would have been able to understand more things and I think I would have gotten a better experience. It is a shame that when whites come to Ghana, not many try very hard to learn the language-whether it is usefull or not, me included.
So in conclusion, if I were to redo my trip to Ghana I would have worked on those areas. But I do feel good for being able to realize what I did or did not do and learn from those mistakes. Lifes all about learning, right?
God bless!
Friday, May 1, 2009
Photo update of my recent travels!
The pictures are a bit sporadic, but so is Ghana. Nonetheless, enjoy!
Unloading a ferry.
Another colorful sunrise.
Our luxurious sleeping arrangements. I slept on the bench nearest to you. Queen sized beds are overrated!
The lake was endless.
Yams.
You can't get much better of a sunset!
The bull's "I wasn't ment to be a seaman" pose.
The Yapei Queen on the Volta Lake.
Mole National Park.
Me and the Ghana.
A Warthog. Who knew Ghana had such an influence on Halo?
Baboon.
Elephants.
Ghana versus Benin, March 29, 2009.
Celebrating after the victory!
Baba Yara Sports Stadium:Kumasi. Ghana versus Benin in a World Cup Qualifying match. Ghana-1 Benin-0
National Pride.
National Pride.
Selorm, my host brother for the weekend in Accra.
The Monkey Sanctuary in the Volta Region.
Guys will laugh, maybe not the girls. haha.
Belgian Joris, Wesley, Me and Boris from Belgium as well, on the Volta Bridge.
The usual stampede of vendors trying to sell their goods to people in a trotro.
The Volta Bridge; it's on the back of a 1 pesewa coin.
The House Of Parliament in Accra. We watched the budget reading: quite an experience.
Me, Ama, my long lost host sister Rebecca(I call her Adwoa) and Kwame ti so (his head size is disproportionate to his body, so I like to call him Kwame big head, it's all in good fun though!).
Boris, Wes and I on our way to Yeji to catch the ferry which took us to Akosombo.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Part 2 Q&A
Medamfo, etesen? Eye? Nyeme Adom!!
First, I'd like to thank the Turner family and the Wilson County Baha'i's, Aunt Linda and Uncle Mick, Tracy and Mom and Dad for sending me packages and money! It means alot to me! And it was nice to get some artificial flavoring and preservatives in my body! :)
Second, can you believe it's been over 7 months since September 3rd, 2008?! I sure can't! It feels like just yesterday that I was packing my bags for West Africa!
Here's part two of the questions you asked me to answer!
What kind of fruit do you have in Ghana?
Ghanaian fresh fruit is absolutelly awesome! Bananas, oranges, mangos, papya, pineapple and these things Junior and Kwasi call "white mans apples"-which taste exactly like a green apple Jolly Rancher- are my favorites. And what's best about it is that it's cheap. You can buy 60 oranges for 3ghc (2.17$), 22 mangos for 1ghc or 6 bananas for about .20ghc. Also, ripe plantains are good. And what's even better than the price is that it keeps you regular-if you know what I mean-, but sometimes a little to regular. While i've been in Ghana (my appologies to the people who find it odd to talk about your bowel system!) I've either been constipated or had diarrhea, it's two extremes and they both suck. Either I'm going constantly or I'm thinking to myself "Dude, you have fufu in you from 5 days ago!". It's one or the other. That's why I keep a bottle of fiber and a bottle of anti-diarrheal on my bed head board so I can be prepared for anything. I always keep Junior and Kwasi updated on my bowel movements and always blame both constipation and diarrhea on the fufu (Its the cure to all complaining: "It's because of the fufu!"), which in return I get "Rich, you always say it's the fufu!". Sometimes the most thinking I'll do in a day is whether I will or will not go to the bathroom! haha. I'll end with a quote from Lil Donkor aka Junior: "Ha! White people don't fart? You don't know Rich! When he farts, it knocks me down!"
Is witchcraft very prevalent in Ghana?
It is very prevalent. I find it a bit comical, but at the same time very sad. I find it funny because pretty much everyone believes in it. And when I try to explain that in America there aren't any witches or that we believed in witches in the 1700's but it was all a mistake, I get "Well, there just aren't any in America." But it's sad because good people get labelled as witches and sometimes get shunned. For example, the next door neighbor is supposedly a witch. Though when I've talked to her, she was very sweet. Luckily, I don't think they kill witches, they just send them to a special witch pastor(which is another story). I can remember one day Junior and Kwasi coming home from school and telling me that a pastor came to their school and told the whole school that there are over 30 witches at their school, I cringed when I heard that. And the African and Ghanaian movies just back up the belief in witchcraft when they constantly put it in the storylines. And then of course if you don't like someone, you can just go to a witch doctor and put a curse on them. But like I said, it's sad because alot of good people are "witches", but I think witchcraft is a signature trait of a third world country.
How is your Twi?
My Twi is getting better, or I guess I should say "Me ti Twi kakra.". I regret not trying harder when I first got here to learn. But latelly I've surprised myself with what I'm able to say. When I bought phone credit a few days ago, I spoke totally in Twi to the lady. It wasn't hard Twi, but it was still Twi. It seemed to impress her. I can understand it more than I can speak it, which coincidentally means I can usually only understand the insults: "KWASIA!", "JIMMYPAA!". I do try and use my Twi just to let people know I am make an effort.
What chores do you have to do?
I try to pull my weight around the house. I do enough sitting around that I usually try and find work to do. The chores I do on a daily basis include sweeping, cutting (casava, plantain, yam....I just sliced open my finger for the first time in 7 months, I was pretty proud), starting the fire for cooking, putting away dishes and on some days pounding fufu. Once a week I go to the garden with Kwasi to dig casava, weed grass (which usually turns Ghanaians heads), help clean the bathroom, and of course I clean my own room and clothes. And with the new addition of 1,200 chickens, I've been helping in the coupe. I'll help Kwasi give out food, water and clean the dishes and keep the coal on fire. I enjoy helping with the chickens other than the raunchy smell and stepping in the chicken poop. And eventually Ill get to eat Chi-boms.......egg sandwiches! And I'll help out with other odds and ends. And of course I'll help Junior and Kwasi with their homework, which isn't a chore, though it can be a pain explaining things to them!
Tell us a funny story about your brothers!
Oh, the stories I have to tell about Junior and Kwasi! I'll give you a really cute story about Junior. I'll give you the background to this conversation. Anytime I give Junior anything(food, pencils, q-tips, etc.) he always tells me "God bless you Rich! God will give you plenty money!". I always got a kick out of that, then I started thinking about what he was saying and eventually told him that I didn't want money, but instead good health. I told him that I didn't think that money could buy happiness and explained why. So now when I give him anything, he'll tell me "God bless you Rich! God will give you the good health!" Now to the conversation. Kwasi was reading a book I recently bought for him, while me and Junior prepared to play football:
Rich: Yen ko bobo! (Lets go play football!)
Kwasi: Dabi, I'm reading. (No, I'm reading.)
Rich: Kwasi, you're a smart kid! You keep reading and get good grades so you can go to the university! Then get a good job, get a wife and make lots of kids, and make lots of money!
Kwasi: Oh, I will do, I will do!
Rich: But you know, I don't think money can buy happiness?
Kwasi: What?
Rich: Junior, blah! (Junior, come!) Junior, what doesn't money buy?
Junior: Happiness!
Kwasi: Yes it can!
Junior: No it can't! Because when you die, God doesn't want anything but you! Only you go to Heaven! Nothing else!
Rich: Hahaha! Junior, wah ya dia! (Well done!)
I had not told Junior anything other than that I thought money couldn't buy happiness! I got such a kick out of him saying that. The funny things kids say! I'll miss my brothers so much!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
3-17-2009 Sunyani, Ghana
Before I start I need to restate some of my past comments. In my last entry I said that I would only remember the Ghanaians that shout and pester me. I quickly realized how wrong of me it was to say that. I should not, and will not, let myself remember those people. But instead the people like my host family, the people who helped me when I passed out at the hospital (oops!), Isaac the egg sandwich man and all the other people who just say hello to me each day! If I were to only remember the rude people, that would make me just as ignorant as the guy who told me that all Americans are decietful liers. So, not only do I appologize to you for making a very false statement, I also appologize to all the Ghanaians who are kind and genuinly nice to me!
Now, to the other part of this blog.
The three worst things about my experience in Ghana:
3) The weather. I know your probably sick of the cold, but I'm sick of the heat! The heat is so relentless! It feels like its gotten hotter since I've been here! There is really no escape. Its hot 24/7. I think during the day it hovers around 90 degrees, not including humidity during the wet season. And at night it doesnt get much cooler. I hate falling asleep sweating, but it happens more often than not. And then I'll wake up in the middle of the night and my sheets will be drenched in sweat, which consiquently makes them smell. Oh, its glorious (sarcasm of course)! And when I go back it'll be the middle of Tennessee heat and humidity! I keep wondering what would happen if a blizzard hit Africa. That might be a bit disasterous! I do applaud Africans at how well they cope with the heat!
2) The food. The food can be a bit of a downer. I've come to my peace with eating fufu so often. I just think to myself At least I have food. Ghanaian food just kind of sinks to the bottom of your stomach. And Kwasi made a fair point that its not the fufu itself I dont like, its the soup. I do like the food, I just hate how often we eat it. I have little variety for breakfast: porage of ripe plantains. But for lunch and dinner its the same thing, kenkee for lunch and fufu for dinner. On Tuesdays and Thursdays me and Wesley go to Isaac the egg sandwich man. We joke that its the best thing we eat during the week. Coming from a family where we eat something completelly different each night then coming to a place where the same food is eaten so often was a bit aggrivating. Never again will I complain about eating the same thing twice in a row when I get back home. Like I said, Ive come to my peace with the food and I do like most of the food, but when Im not in the mood for it I usually can only get some of it down. Thats why (if the scale is correct) I've lost 30+ lbs, have had to renotch my belt 4 times, renotch my watch 2 times and am no longer called "Obroni kaklakaka" by school children. Sometimes when I get hungry Ill buy a loaf of bread-I will say that Ghanaian bread is fantastic- and put some Blueband margerine on it and eat it in one sitting. Or Ill buy some Gari-ground up casava- and put it with water and sugar, and thats a good snack. Itll be nice to get back to eating good ol' hardy meals when Im back. Ive already started my "meals to eat when Im back home" list,Dad!
ps. Happy St. Patricks Day! Enjoy your corned beef and cabbage!
3) School. The weeks go by very quickly, just not when Im in class. The teaching style is so different from what used to. I sit through 80 minutes of notetaking, that is to say the teachers even come. And its not even in the sense of the teachers explaining what they said they just read striaght out of a book. And the desks dont help. Niether do the 50 screaming students. Me and Wes compare the classroom to the scene in Anchorman when the four newsmen are in the bosses office and Brick just screams out "LOUD NOISES!". Its exactly like that. At school is when I get hassled the most with the Twi screaming, "OBRONI BRAH!"ing, and "Take me home with you" antics. I will say that what Im lacking in a formal education, real world experience and patience makes up for it! And-unlike other AFS students- I go to school everyday! Though I hate school, Ill feel guilty for not doing what Im supposed to be doing! I try not to let school get me down, but its harder done than said.
The 3 best:
3)My host family. I feel like God couldn't have given me a better host family. Home is the one place I can go after a crazy day and just chill out. My host family-in particular Junior and Kwasi- have taught me the most about Ghana and its culture. The majority of AFS students in Ghana have problems with their family and/or contact person. But not me. That is not in a boastful way, but I feel fortunate! My biggest problems with my host family are almost comical: we eat to much fufu, Adu turns up his Celine Dion greatest hits cd up to loud on the weekends and I have to fill out these stupid NPP membership cards. Other than that, its terrific!
2) The realization that "Home is where the heart is". Never have I known that getting put 10,000+ miles away from your home and family can suck, alot sometimes. I took for granted having such a suppotive and loving family. My family has been the one thing that has never changed in my life. Things come and go, but my family has been the rock in my life. They've been there since my birth and will continue to love and support me till death. I have a special unbreakable relationship with each of my family members that no one could replace. Sometimes I've made mistakes,but my family was the one who corrected me and guided me to the right path. I couldn't ask for another family!
1) Living in an overall poor and simple lifestyle. I think that's the best part because it's made me realize how much I can go without and still live comfortably. How I can spend 3 ghc (2.17$) a day and think that that's how much I'd spent on gas just to get me to school. How I find entertainment in reading and writing instead of browsing the internet or watching tv. Realizing that in life, money can't but happiness. Because in Juniors words "When you die, none of this stuff comes with you to Heaven!" Life is more about family, friends and learning about yourself. Not 300 dollar shopping sprees or trying to be the most popular kid in school. It's the simple things that make this world go round. I think some people could use 10 months in Africa or any other third world country to get their priorities straight. Because I know my priorities got fixed pretty quickly after landing in Accra.
Now, to the other part of this blog.
The three worst things about my experience in Ghana:
3) The weather. I know your probably sick of the cold, but I'm sick of the heat! The heat is so relentless! It feels like its gotten hotter since I've been here! There is really no escape. Its hot 24/7. I think during the day it hovers around 90 degrees, not including humidity during the wet season. And at night it doesnt get much cooler. I hate falling asleep sweating, but it happens more often than not. And then I'll wake up in the middle of the night and my sheets will be drenched in sweat, which consiquently makes them smell. Oh, its glorious (sarcasm of course)! And when I go back it'll be the middle of Tennessee heat and humidity! I keep wondering what would happen if a blizzard hit Africa. That might be a bit disasterous! I do applaud Africans at how well they cope with the heat!
2) The food. The food can be a bit of a downer. I've come to my peace with eating fufu so often. I just think to myself At least I have food. Ghanaian food just kind of sinks to the bottom of your stomach. And Kwasi made a fair point that its not the fufu itself I dont like, its the soup. I do like the food, I just hate how often we eat it. I have little variety for breakfast: porage of ripe plantains. But for lunch and dinner its the same thing, kenkee for lunch and fufu for dinner. On Tuesdays and Thursdays me and Wesley go to Isaac the egg sandwich man. We joke that its the best thing we eat during the week. Coming from a family where we eat something completelly different each night then coming to a place where the same food is eaten so often was a bit aggrivating. Never again will I complain about eating the same thing twice in a row when I get back home. Like I said, Ive come to my peace with the food and I do like most of the food, but when Im not in the mood for it I usually can only get some of it down. Thats why (if the scale is correct) I've lost 30+ lbs, have had to renotch my belt 4 times, renotch my watch 2 times and am no longer called "Obroni kaklakaka" by school children. Sometimes when I get hungry Ill buy a loaf of bread-I will say that Ghanaian bread is fantastic- and put some Blueband margerine on it and eat it in one sitting. Or Ill buy some Gari-ground up casava- and put it with water and sugar, and thats a good snack. Itll be nice to get back to eating good ol' hardy meals when Im back. Ive already started my "meals to eat when Im back home" list,Dad!
ps. Happy St. Patricks Day! Enjoy your corned beef and cabbage!
3) School. The weeks go by very quickly, just not when Im in class. The teaching style is so different from what used to. I sit through 80 minutes of notetaking, that is to say the teachers even come. And its not even in the sense of the teachers explaining what they said they just read striaght out of a book. And the desks dont help. Niether do the 50 screaming students. Me and Wes compare the classroom to the scene in Anchorman when the four newsmen are in the bosses office and Brick just screams out "LOUD NOISES!". Its exactly like that. At school is when I get hassled the most with the Twi screaming, "OBRONI BRAH!"ing, and "Take me home with you" antics. I will say that what Im lacking in a formal education, real world experience and patience makes up for it! And-unlike other AFS students- I go to school everyday! Though I hate school, Ill feel guilty for not doing what Im supposed to be doing! I try not to let school get me down, but its harder done than said.
The 3 best:
3)My host family. I feel like God couldn't have given me a better host family. Home is the one place I can go after a crazy day and just chill out. My host family-in particular Junior and Kwasi- have taught me the most about Ghana and its culture. The majority of AFS students in Ghana have problems with their family and/or contact person. But not me. That is not in a boastful way, but I feel fortunate! My biggest problems with my host family are almost comical: we eat to much fufu, Adu turns up his Celine Dion greatest hits cd up to loud on the weekends and I have to fill out these stupid NPP membership cards. Other than that, its terrific!
2) The realization that "Home is where the heart is". Never have I known that getting put 10,000+ miles away from your home and family can suck, alot sometimes. I took for granted having such a suppotive and loving family. My family has been the one thing that has never changed in my life. Things come and go, but my family has been the rock in my life. They've been there since my birth and will continue to love and support me till death. I have a special unbreakable relationship with each of my family members that no one could replace. Sometimes I've made mistakes,but my family was the one who corrected me and guided me to the right path. I couldn't ask for another family!
1) Living in an overall poor and simple lifestyle. I think that's the best part because it's made me realize how much I can go without and still live comfortably. How I can spend 3 ghc (2.17$) a day and think that that's how much I'd spent on gas just to get me to school. How I find entertainment in reading and writing instead of browsing the internet or watching tv. Realizing that in life, money can't but happiness. Because in Juniors words "When you die, none of this stuff comes with you to Heaven!" Life is more about family, friends and learning about yourself. Not 300 dollar shopping sprees or trying to be the most popular kid in school. It's the simple things that make this world go round. I think some people could use 10 months in Africa or any other third world country to get their priorities straight. Because I know my priorities got fixed pretty quickly after landing in Accra.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Photo Update
Adu's new chicken coupe extension. Its going to hold 1,500 chickens. Thatll be alot of noise.
Sweeping is not my favorite chore and it doesnt help when Junior takes pictures of me. haha.
More Ghanaian Premier League action, Sunyani Chelsea vs. Hearts of Lion
It only took 6 months, but we had our first AFS sponsored activity, Tie and Die/Batik.
Cleaning out the water tank. I felt like a pansy when Kwasi literally ran up the ladder into the tank and I was scared climbing the ladder. haha
My host mother Felicia, My host father Rev. Owusu Ansah, three of their outlaws and Kwasi and Junior.
Ampesi and Coco Yam Leaves
This is my "Junior, stop wasting my camera battery" look.
My awesome host brothers and best friends, Kwasi and Junior.
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