I am now in Ghana by myself. Though I left America last September alone, expecting a somewhat solitary experience, I met Mo immediately. For three months, we were inseparable. We lived together, ate together, worked together, and travelled together (good think I like the girl!) Though she planned to spend only 10 weeks in Ghana, she extended her stay, overlapping with John's arrival. After Mo reluctantly departed on December 28th, John and I took a vacation on the coast. We spent our days hiking, sight-seeing, and relaxing. On New Year's eve, we were on the beach around a bonfire with champagne and very international company. Last night John left to return to America.
Thus begins a new stage in my adventure. Today I rode on a tro tro by myself for the first time; I navigated Kumasi by myself; I ate by myself. And I had a good day. I have mixed feelings about living and working at Tafi without John and mo. Though there will be difficult and lonely times, overall I look forward to the new challenge. I am just so grateful that I had company in the beginning- through the culture shock and adjustment period. Now at least I feel at home in this country- I understand the culture, I like the food, and I have made many friends all over the place. That will make the task at hand at least a bit easier to handle.
Before I do that, however, I have one more vacation. Tomorrow I leave for Ethiopia. I am very excited about this trip for a number of reasons: I get to see a good friend from University; I get to visit a country I know very little about (with a practically- local guide too!); it will allow me to prepare myself for my new challenge; and it's travel--I'm always excited about travel!
I am not sure if I will have internet access while I'm gone, but I guaruntee I will have lots to tell when I return!
I have finally managed to add pictures to the Christmas post, so you can see those now.
Since I have decided to return to Tafi and not Mampong, I will have a different mailing address from now on.
C/O Becca Chandler
Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary
Box 492, Hohoe
Ghana, West Africa
Thank you for all of your Christmas love, and Happy New Year!
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3 comments:
So, on your own now. I know you can handle it. You know the country, the people and the culture. And like you said, you made friends all over the place.
In Holland everything is like it was before I went to Ghana, except a little colder and my brother, he now is 3 heads taller than I am instead of the 2 he was before. I guess I changed more than Holland did in those months. Not for people to notice (except for the hair), but for myself I can see that my opinion about a few things has changed. For example; there is a difference in what I called dirty before I went to Ghana and what I call dirty now. I haven't seen anything dirty yet haha. And I really had to get used to the cold again. So weird, I heard Sampson talking about it and I was laughing at him, but it is true! So I had a cold (again) and I was wearing a lot of clothes, but I'm better now (but still not wearing shorts or bikini).
Another thing that has changed is my opinion about distance. Before Ghana I would call an hour cardrive to your work a long distance. I know that sounds weird for people in America, but remind that Holland is a really small country so when you take an hour cardrive from my place (in the north) you are somewhere in the middle of the country! But I now know that an hour cardrive is nothing, that's what we did to check our email!
More things that have changed:
* I'm always late
* In the car I'm not wearing my seatbelt anymore
* I'm driving like a mad (wo)man
* When I close the cardoor, I'm closing it so hard that I'm afraid I can't get it open again.
* I keep talking English to my friends and family
* I'm homesick! I never had this before but now I am homesick for Ghana!
* Internet is soooo fast!!! Even my computer which was always kind of slow...
* I don't like watching tv anymore.
* I'm drinking more alcohol than I did before (maybe 7 o'clocks gin has something to do with it?)
* I'm not closing the bathroomdoor anymore.
* I'm eating with my hands
* I keep inviting people to my food
* I don't like to buy things anymore (way to expensive: a small pineaple for 2 euro's instead of 24 cents!)
I can go on for hours, but this is your blog and not mine haha.
Once again, have fun in Ethiopia!
Kiss, Mo.
Loved Mo's comments and I am sure you will find you will have changed a lot upon your return. I wait amxiously to hear of your changes. Your life is so full of seeing and doing different things, meeting different people, etc.
John will spend Wed Jan. 23 with me. We shall raise as glass (or beer) to you at Molasses. I am really looking forward to his visit. Keep having wonderful times. Love, Meem
Can't wait to hear all about Ethiopia - hurry up and post! We miss you!!!!
Katie
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