asomdwee

Since the last blog we have been through a few ups and downs but everything is going well now. We accomplished our community service, which consisted of digging a hole about five feet deep and roughly seven feet in diameter. We then hauled all the dirt up a hill and either mixed it into concrete or spread it around the base of a building that was being constructed.

The whole team worked very well together and I think it was partly due to having a break from each other and the chaperons at night while we stayed at our homestays. Pat, Kalen and I enjoyed our homestay very much and have terrific African outfits to prove it. We were a little sad to leave but after the five hour bus ride to Kumasi we are all happy to say that this is probably the nicest hotel we have stayed in. The best part is easily the hot showers. My first since Sacramento. Today, thanks to our lenient chaperons, we cut out the planned activities and attended a soccer match. The local Asante team against a Libyan team. It was very exciting to say the least but didn’t come close to a CKM game. The Legion easily out ranked the Ghanaian locals in pride and spirit. Another great part of Kumasi is that we have had western food two days in a row. After many meals of chicken and rice cooked in about a million different ways I was delighted to have a double cheese burger. Thanks for the comments on the other blog and I look forward to seeing everyone at home.

Sincerely,
Ben

I will skip all the ranting about the long flight and lost luggage as my fellow group members will probably do to say what has stuck me the most in the first few days we have been in Ghana.

The people here are the nicest I have ever met, bar none. Last night, Ryan and I went out and talked to two Africans and a Swede for two or so hours about traveling and world affairs and by the time we went in, not only did we have e-mail addresses and phone numbers, but invitations into the home, churches, and favorite places of these total strangers. If I was any where else in the world and was invited to the home of a stranger I would assume it was to beat and/or rob me. Not here. These guys were so generous and easy to talk to. Though I will not end up seeing them outside of the hostel it was really cool to hang out with them and cannot wait to again. Other Ghanaians have been just as friendly and I will look forward to meeting many more.