I am back in Ghana.
That is strange but oh so exciting to me. It has been a really long, but positively
great year that has led me back to this place.
We realized that we traveled for 30 hours to get here. The flights were great. Our layover in Amsterdam was a lot of
fun. A man picked us up at the airport
and took us around Amsterdam. We took a
boat tour throughout the canals, which was very beautiful. I could really get used to the idea of me in
Amsterdam.
The airport in Ghana was just like I remember. Hot and busy.
Nobody lines up, people just push forming a mosh of people. We all made it through immigration and
customs and all 30? (that’s a guess) of our bags made it to Africa. I always get nervous for that part. All my food was in those bags…I can’t lose
that!!
It was really fun to see Richard and Gabriel again. They are our bus drivers and they were as
stoked to see me as I was them. We got
the bus loaded and headed to the Osda house for some much needed rest and
reclining on beds. So great.
The morning came quickly and we loaded up to head to
Kumasi. The drive is about 5 hours and I
was asleep for majority of it. Most of
the group stayed awake but I couldn’t help myself.
I was able to talk to a woman that I met last year while
waiting to leave for the night. She is
the manager of our hotel and told me that even if I don’t think what I am doing
makes an impact that I need to rethink it.
She kept calling us guardian angels and talking about how much Charity
Beyond Borders has changed her life. She
said that the love she feels with us has made her more confident to take charge
of her life and make a difference to her people. That was a really good conversation I was
able to have with her.
Being back at Kings Towers is really fun. They have added a whole new wing to the
building, which seems real strange. I
have my own room with a massive bed.
Score!! It is really nice to have my own place to withdraw to after a
long day. We went to the Aniwah hospital
where they made us chicken and rice with stew.
The stew is pretty delicious.
I was able to see Richards daughter Sandi there. She is the cutest 8 year old and she
remembered me, which made her even cuter.
I was pretty excited.
Today, (May 3) we were up early to take the group through
the markets. All 18 of us piled into a
tro tro and we headed out to the fabric market but it was closed until
noon. So we took the groups through the
streets of the city up to the cultural center.
This group is very different from my last groups. They are quieter, timid, and definitely more
frugal but it was really fun walking around with them all.
While at the cultural center, there was a parade celebrating
15 years of the Ashanti king. That was
the reason that many of the stores were closed today. We headed back down to the markets and hung
around until they opened up. I’ve been
once, but even I got overwhelmed again because of all the options available. I purchased some fabric for myself and some
as gifts. I am gong to get a shirt and
pants made again. When in Ghana…..
After shopping, Richard took us through the market. I love walking through here. The aisles are too small, there are too many
people, and it is complete chaos but so impressive. We took the group through the meat market
where animal carcasses hung, heads smiled at you, and unidentifiable meats were
waiting to be bought. Some faces shades
of white and green. It was really
fun.
We trekked through backyards of the people and I couldn’t
help but wonder when the last time they had a white person in their
backyard….if ever. We got some really
good stares and I am sure a few things shouted at us.
After wandering around the city, we all came back to the
hotel to rinse off and cool off in the pool.
It was our first real day and we were sweaty, sticky, and dirty. The pool was a welcome relief. We had dinner together--I am pretty sure I bit into an animal skull and lost my appetite--and called it a night. I think everyone was exhausted from the overwhelming day.
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