asomdwee

After a month in Ghana, we’re leaving, for home!!! USA USA USA! I’m so pumped to finally get that milkshake and hammer 5 i’ve been craving since we left! But in a way im kind of sad that we’re leaving. This was by far, one of the greatest experiences of my life. Being in Africa was amazing, and being with friends made it even better. I’ve had so many great memories like seeing wild elephants, baboons stealing food from European’s who decide to punch the monkey, food poisoning from mayo, and endless games of catch phrase. So much has happened in a month, it’s hard to process all of it, i mean it’s hard for me to even remember everything. Every day something new and exciting happened. I have had so much fun, meeting the people, learning about the culture, and just seein Ghana, but i am ready for that greasy burger in my hand, which America is the best at providing. Can’t wait to see everyone.

-Kalen

It’s been a while since i’ve had internet access so i haven’t been able to blog, so this one is going to encompass all that’s happened since I last blogged. After leaving Accra we went on a sweet Canopy Walk, and although there wasn’t a lot to look at it, swinging the bridges and making waves, made it worth it. Then we went to Han’s Cottage, and went around a little lake in paddle boats and saw crocodiles lounging around, in fact, Patrick and I got within 5 feet of one and got a sweeet polaroid (that polaroid camera has SAVED MY LIFE!) While in cape coast we visited the Cape Coast Slave castle which was a pretty intense experience. It wasn’t really fun for me, but it was interesting to see where millions of slaves were imprisoned.

After Cape Coast, we journeyed to the Green Turtle Lodge, and to the disappointment (and later great satisfaction) of all of the boys, we were unable to stay there due to the lack of rooms. So the boys, Predko, and I stayed about 10 minutes away at the Safari Beach Inn. The first night at GT there was a dance performance by some of the local villagers. Got up and learned some new moves with the help of one of the girl dancers. That was interesting. It was so nice being on the beach and being able to go out into the ocean and just chill, plus the Safari Beach Inn had outdoor showers, which i have discovered are the best thing since sliced bread. Went on a canoe ride through the mangroves, supposedly to see some monkeys, no monkeys, i was bummed. Oh yeah i almost forgot, before we got to the Green Turtle, we went to the Jesus Is King Orphanage and dropped off some donations (hackysacks, clothes, frisbees). It was great to see how happy the kids were. Back to the GT, the same day as the mangroves we walked through the village to see the JSS and JHS schools (Secondary and Highschool). Only one school was still open at that hour so we made some more donations of books and supplies.

last day at the Safari Beach Inn/GT we went on a day trip to see a stilt village, which was kind of a waste of time, it seemed like all it was, was a tourist attraction and they only wanted our money, that made me a little disappointed, but we got to hang out with some college volunteers who tagged along and who were staying at the Green Turtle Lodge.

HOMESTAYS!!!! Met our family (the Barnes): Kojo (the Dad), Efuei (the Mom), and Awompa (aka baby 2years). Such a nice family. The whole week at the homestays we were working on a community service project at a local school, building rooms for volunteers. The kids there were crazy about us. The entire time they called us “obrunis” which means “white man.” and after hearing that about 1,000,000 it tends to get kind of tiring. They also always ask you what your name is, your age, and how you are doing… multiple times. Two of the six days were spent at an orphanage where we helped clean and also gave some donations. It was hilarious how when we gave the kids supplies like mops and buckets,they seemed grateful. but when we gave them soccer jerseys they went nuts, screaming for seriously 10 minutes before they kind of calmed down. The best part was the food, the homestay mom made the best dinners and lunches and we got to try fufu (plantains and yam beaten into a dough). Last
day in Agona Swedru (where our homestays were) we went with the mom to pick up our clothes that we had had made, which are by far the coolest pants and shirt i have ever owned, and earlier we had played the kids at the school in a game of Football (we lost of course 3 – 0).

Now we are in Kumasi for 2 nights and the best part is, WE GOT TO GO TO A FOOTBALL MATCH!!! We convinced the group to go to the craft villages when we stop back in Kumasi and instead went to see the Asante Kotoko played the Libyan team in the Confederation coup eliminations! It was insane to see the match, the Kotoko won of course and the crowds were like the crowds at a basketball game in the US.

Africa has been such a great experience and it’s hard to believe that over half of the month has gone by. Psyched about the rest of the trip, but i do miss Willie’s milkshakes… yum.

-Kalen

Arriving in Africa was almost unreal, like a dream, and it was pretty hard to believe that I was actually in Africa. Tired after 24 + hours in the air and sitting in airports, laying in a bed was heaven. The first night I slept like a baby. I woke up the next morning feeling refreshed and after a quick, somewhat western breakfast, we went to SYTO to get an introduction to Ghanaian culture. I found it pretty interesting that in Ghana the phrase “That’s crazy/insane” is actually insulting whereas it’s an almost daily saying in the US. My first encounter with the weather proved easy, it’s pretty mild weather, although a little humid, but it is most definitely tolerable. At least we get to sleep in air conditioned rooms!!! Our guide, Charles, is a really nice guy, funny, and easy to talk to, like a big brother of sorts. After the lesson on culture, we traveled around Ghana seeing famous monuments, such as the tomb of Kwame Nkrumah. A good day overall.

The next day, we piled back onto the bus, and had a pretty relaxing day, going to the University and attending a class concerning sociology and the youth of Ghana. Lunch was the best part, because I was finally able to try goat, in a goat and pepper soup. What I did not realize was that it was the intestines of the goat… it was still good. I’ve been taking a bunch of great pictures, especially of my funny happenings in my room. I’m psyched about the next 27 days with this group of fabulous people.

-Kalen