asomdwee

So, the group is finally back in Accra and I has just dawned on me that is difficult for me to grasp how long we have truly been away from home. part of me feels that I stepped off the plane yesterday, another part tells me I have spent years in this country, I think of it though and I realize that a month is both a long and short time to spend here. My mind grasping so much and missing the rest this no dought has changed me.

Matt,
the people here live modestly, most only on one or two Ghana cedis a day. Most who live in the city live in shared mud and cement houses similar to apartments. People who live in the rural areas of Ghana tend to live in round mud huts that are connected to a main court.All those surrounding the court are in the same family. More when I return!

-Ryan

Last I left off we had visited the Castle in Cape Coast and Elmina. the group then would find themselves in one of Ghana’s most beautiful landscapes, the vacant and beautiful beaches along the coast near Takerati. The girls stayed at the Green Turtle Lodge, and the boys stayed down the beach at Safari Beach Lodge. I felt that this escape into such an amazing tropical paradise was both a blessing and a curse. The blessing was that we were able to take a break from being in the large group at all times, which seemed like it was beginning to aggravate people. the curse was that people within the group including myself began to lose site of the trips main purpose, to come to Ghana for a majority of educational and humanitarian causes; yet the beach and other guests at the lodge made everyones mouth water at the idea of a few days of touristy relaxation. I think that people left those lodges with a lot of mixed feelings on their minds. I personally hit an emotional low, and began to wish for the plane ride home.

My home sickness did not get better with the move to our home stays. Living in a complete strangers house is a difficult thing to get use to the first few nights. It was especially difficult for me because I wasn’t getting the best nights sleep, certain things kept me awake: Chickens, Pigs, Bugs, and loud church services. All seemed to begin to make as much noise as possible right outside our bedroom window; Yet it was a true Ghana moment because this is what you get when you are in Ghana, lots and lots of loud and beautiful sounds.

George, Gladice, and Justice are three of the nicest Ghanaians I have met along my trip, and I am so greatful that Robert and I had the chance to stay at their house in the busy little town of Swedru. We had a few really great experiences while staying with them, two being when we pounded fu-fu and hand-washed our clothing.

Outside the house we were having loads of great experiences. All week long the group hauled sand, dirt, and rocks; mixed cement; and played soccer. We did all of this hard labor to help build a new kindergarten room for the kids at a school in Swedru. We also helped clean up an orphanage nearby, as well as donate around $350 worth of goods to them. It was such an enlightening and euphoric week. I felt true joy in my heart when our hard work made kids chant with joy. I had a blast, and stopped feeling so homesick. On Saturday we hit the road for Kumasi.

Kumasi has been a blast, especially the football match between the city’s home team and a team from Libya! I’m sure there will be some great blogs about the match and the crazy Ghanaian crowds that were partying in the parking lot after their teams victory.

until next time
—Ryan…FONGEE!

The last few days have left me feeling enlightened, defeated and then back to a euphoric mood. I was having a very fun time traveling around Accra and beginning to understand the customs of its people; yet as soon as the the “incident” at the pink hostel occurred I felt intense anger, hatred, and fear that I have not felt in a very long time. It took only one night before I decided to move on with my negative feelings; for the moral of the group was at its lowest point yet, and I couldn’t bare to stand it any longer. Complete closure came on the 14th of July as we gathered our things to leave the pink hostel and were informed that the stolen items had been found!! Truly amazing.

Now that that is all over and done with I have a lot more tie to think about the great time that I am having. Some of my favorite times so far have been the lessons in Ghanaian language, drumming, and dance. Tina and Edward are talented and genuine people who, after being taught by, I have an immense respect for. the beaches we have visited are breathtakingly beautiful with soft white sand and tall health palm trees.

I felt a bit strange going to the U.S. embassy because It was like an oases of wealth and opulence in the middle of a sea of mild poverty. I little embarrassing, but I guess necessary to maintain diplomatic relations with the Ghanaians.

The Slave dungeon at Cape Coast was a sad and moving experience. The degraded living conditions that so many people were put through was appalling to me. I felt as if I went through an entire metamorphosis while walking through the museum and castle. It seemed like that because at first I felt I was in a state of denial, thinking to myself, “there is no way my ancestors would have taken part in this gruesome act against humanity.” Then I slowly began to realize the the chance was very high that my ancestors in one way or another took part in it. this is when I began to feel very ashamed that this could have happened, involving my ancestors. I’ve decided that I want to apologize for the wrong doings of my ancestors, and I’ve come to the realization that, as much as we might want to, there is no way to change what happened in our past. All we can do is make sure that nothing as horrible as the slave trade ever happens gain.

Talk to you all soon!

-love Ryan

We arrived in Ghana around eight last night only to find we were missing three bags of luggage. It was a disappointment to have that happen, but my spirits were immediately lifted when we walked out of the airport and into the warm, humid night air of Ghana’s capital city Accra.

Making our way to the Pink Hostel was very exciting because we rode the entire way in an old van with beat up leather seats and a thin layer of diesel all about it. We had our first meeting after breakfast around 8 a.m. and once our ride arrived we headed towards SYTO’s headquarters where we had a short lesson on Ghanaian customs.

The lesson was taught by a very friendly Ghanaian woman named Tina. Among the most startling of differences in customs was that most Ghanaian view using your left hand while around other people is rude, and that words like “crazy” and “insane” are also off limits in a regular conversation unless you REALLY mean it. Over all I am wiped out, and having the time of my life!!

–Ryan