Well I am officially back on the North American continent, arrived home Tuesday evening. The weather here is alot better than in Germany, but that's about it.
It's hard to believe that my summer of travelling and experiences are over, and that real life is about to start again. I don't want to fall back into the mundane swing of things, but it is so hard in a place like this. I met so many cool people this summer on the two continents I travelled that familiar faces are not as sweet as they should be.
A little part of me was ready to come home, but a big part of me isn't. It's hard to please the entirety that is my soul. Wow that was poetic.
I think I am suffering from mild exhaustion, or else something else is up because I feel off... not jet lag off, but weird off. I am going to give it a couple days and see. I have already ran my errands pretty much that I needed to run and did what I needed to do, and now it is time to relax a little (if that is possible).
When I look back on everything that happened this summer and all the experiences, struggles, triumphs and learning I have encountered, it seems surreal. I can't believe half the stuff I did, it seems like someone elses life. I am so happy I did what I did this summer and went where I went, I feel like these experiences have really helped me to come into my own and get a better grasp on my own identity.
I had some real trying moments where my resolve and strength were faltering, but I pushed through. I didn't let anything take me down, and I did what I wanted to when I wanted to for as long as I wanted to. I lived this summer completely my way, with no real responsibilities or promises. That in itself helped me to focus on me.
It is hard to reflect on such a period in a document that is freely accesible to anyone and everyone, so this is where I shall end.
For those of you that read my blog faithfully, thanks for keeping pace with me! I hope I didn't bore you, and hopefully you had a little fun reading this as I definately had fun writing this!
Until my next trip...
Krystle
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Munich is awesome!
I have been having an amazing time here in Munich... so much so that I have not been on the internet for 3 days, which speaks for itself.
We arrived here Friday afternoon and immediately hit the ground. If you noticed I said 'we' instead of 'I' give yourself a pat on the back for attention well paid; at my hostel in Berlin I made quick friends with a guy from Aus and he tagged along to Munich as he had no set plans for anything else. Pretty cool, but after travelling alone for so long I forgot how annoying people are when travelling with them. He is a nice enough guy but is starting to get under my skin. Tomorrow we part ways, so that is good.
I am trying to decide whether to stay in Munich an extra day or go to Nuremberg as originally planned... I think I will head to Nuremberg.
Anyway, my thoughts are a jumbled mass right now. Upon arrival in Munich we went and walked around the Englischer Gardens, which were really nice - green and beautiful. That evening was a fairly early one, as we were both wiped, surprising as a 6 hour train ride doesn't really constitute enough to 'wipe' me out generally, but oh well.
Saturday morning I awoke to find it pouring rain. Absolutely showering - reminiscent of the rains witnessed in Ghana, particularly in the rainforest. It was miserable! I didn't want to sit around and waste time, so in the morning I awoke and went to the Deutsches Museum, which is a HUGE science museum in Munich. I was super excited for it and had been looking forward to it, but was shocked to see that most of the exhibits I found interesting were only in German, so I had to salvage what I could. There were some really cool exhibits, but I didn't have much time there, only about an hour and a half, and to thouroughly enjoy everything and see it all would require at least 6-8 hours. After that we took a walking tour, in the pouring rain. Quite miserable really, but these tours are such a great way to get to see the city and know the history that it couldn't be missed. And then the beer challenge.
Yes you read it right, a beer challenge. We were suppose to go to 3 beer halls and sing songs and learn the history of beer making, and at the end of the night the person deemed 'most fun' or most valued to the group wins the beer challenge. The purpose was not to get as drunk as you can, but just have fun.
But, because of the massive downpour that was still going on, all the beer gardens that are usually flowing with people were all closed, and so everyone was in the beer halls. The places usually reserved for this group were overrun with people and full - definately unable to accomodate 50 people. We walked around trying to find somewhere, and finally we did. I was quite irritated to begin with, but then I loosened up and met some awesome people and had a really great time. Such a great time in fact that I WON the beer challenge!
Out of 50 people I was deemed most fun, and was quite drunk as well. It was better than winning prom queen, and I acted it hahaha I was totally like the miss Universe contestants that get all teary and thank everyone. It was hysterical. It was a very interesting night. Luckily the 'after party' was at our hostel so I didn't have to stumble far.
Today I went to Dachau. Quite another experience in itself. It was similar to Sauchsenhausen, but also very different. There is also the only gas chamber left in Germany there, which I walked through and nearly broke down. It was another emotionally trying day, but so worth it and so full of learning I had a really good time.
Tonight I am not doing too much as I am taking an early train to Nuremberg (if I decide to go for sure) so I am just going to head to the Hofbrauhaus, which is the world's most famous beer hall, and the place where the Nazi party held its first meeting. I hope to only have one beer, but this is Munich and one beer is never enough.
My time in Germany is coming to a close, and it really sucks. I love this country and the things I have seen and learnt here. I feel like I need another 2 weeks or more to be able to be content with leaving. It feels like I am cheating myself out of so much by going home. There are a few things I will be thrilled about once getting home
1. Manners. I swear people in Germany have none and it is starting to really irk me
2. Peeing for free. Yes you read that right - everything in this country is expensive and they charge for the bathrooms. Even at a restarant you just ate at. Really annoying.
3. Laundry. My clothes are in a state of utter chaos
4. Quiet
5. Sleep
I could go on, but there are so many things I am missing here that I am focusing on.
Anyways, I must get going and try to figure out what I am doing for the next day and half.
Hope all is well!
Krystle
We arrived here Friday afternoon and immediately hit the ground. If you noticed I said 'we' instead of 'I' give yourself a pat on the back for attention well paid; at my hostel in Berlin I made quick friends with a guy from Aus and he tagged along to Munich as he had no set plans for anything else. Pretty cool, but after travelling alone for so long I forgot how annoying people are when travelling with them. He is a nice enough guy but is starting to get under my skin. Tomorrow we part ways, so that is good.
I am trying to decide whether to stay in Munich an extra day or go to Nuremberg as originally planned... I think I will head to Nuremberg.
Anyway, my thoughts are a jumbled mass right now. Upon arrival in Munich we went and walked around the Englischer Gardens, which were really nice - green and beautiful. That evening was a fairly early one, as we were both wiped, surprising as a 6 hour train ride doesn't really constitute enough to 'wipe' me out generally, but oh well.
Saturday morning I awoke to find it pouring rain. Absolutely showering - reminiscent of the rains witnessed in Ghana, particularly in the rainforest. It was miserable! I didn't want to sit around and waste time, so in the morning I awoke and went to the Deutsches Museum, which is a HUGE science museum in Munich. I was super excited for it and had been looking forward to it, but was shocked to see that most of the exhibits I found interesting were only in German, so I had to salvage what I could. There were some really cool exhibits, but I didn't have much time there, only about an hour and a half, and to thouroughly enjoy everything and see it all would require at least 6-8 hours. After that we took a walking tour, in the pouring rain. Quite miserable really, but these tours are such a great way to get to see the city and know the history that it couldn't be missed. And then the beer challenge.
Yes you read it right, a beer challenge. We were suppose to go to 3 beer halls and sing songs and learn the history of beer making, and at the end of the night the person deemed 'most fun' or most valued to the group wins the beer challenge. The purpose was not to get as drunk as you can, but just have fun.
But, because of the massive downpour that was still going on, all the beer gardens that are usually flowing with people were all closed, and so everyone was in the beer halls. The places usually reserved for this group were overrun with people and full - definately unable to accomodate 50 people. We walked around trying to find somewhere, and finally we did. I was quite irritated to begin with, but then I loosened up and met some awesome people and had a really great time. Such a great time in fact that I WON the beer challenge!
Out of 50 people I was deemed most fun, and was quite drunk as well. It was better than winning prom queen, and I acted it hahaha I was totally like the miss Universe contestants that get all teary and thank everyone. It was hysterical. It was a very interesting night. Luckily the 'after party' was at our hostel so I didn't have to stumble far.
Today I went to Dachau. Quite another experience in itself. It was similar to Sauchsenhausen, but also very different. There is also the only gas chamber left in Germany there, which I walked through and nearly broke down. It was another emotionally trying day, but so worth it and so full of learning I had a really good time.
Tonight I am not doing too much as I am taking an early train to Nuremberg (if I decide to go for sure) so I am just going to head to the Hofbrauhaus, which is the world's most famous beer hall, and the place where the Nazi party held its first meeting. I hope to only have one beer, but this is Munich and one beer is never enough.
My time in Germany is coming to a close, and it really sucks. I love this country and the things I have seen and learnt here. I feel like I need another 2 weeks or more to be able to be content with leaving. It feels like I am cheating myself out of so much by going home. There are a few things I will be thrilled about once getting home
1. Manners. I swear people in Germany have none and it is starting to really irk me
2. Peeing for free. Yes you read that right - everything in this country is expensive and they charge for the bathrooms. Even at a restarant you just ate at. Really annoying.
3. Laundry. My clothes are in a state of utter chaos
4. Quiet
5. Sleep
I could go on, but there are so many things I am missing here that I am focusing on.
Anyways, I must get going and try to figure out what I am doing for the next day and half.
Hope all is well!
Krystle
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Wow.
Today has been one of the most horrifying yet human days of my life. I went to Saschenhausen concentration camp today, where over 50,000 people were killed 1936-1945. It was a very grim day, a stark contrast to the gorgeous weather we had today. It has suppose to have rained the last couple days, but instead has been gorgeous. I won't go into too much about the camp, I am sure you all can picture it.
Berlin has shocked and wowwed me, all at the same time. I have never been in such a place of polar opposites and sheer knowledge. I have been on the go nonstop since I got here, and still haven't seen nearly a tenth of what I wanted to. There is just not enough time. I have met and made some really interesting and awesome friends here and feel like I will be leaving the city with so much more than I expected to get out of it. It has really changed me, for the better.
Last night I went on a pub crawl with a Canadian couple I had met and my roommates from the hostel, and it was amazing. So much fun. Berlin really does know how to party, and it lasts forever. I tried to pace myself and not drink that much to stay up late, but by 1 or 2 I was dead to the world. Thank God for the protective boys in my room that took care of me haha.
I leave tomorrow morning for Munich, which is going to be amazing. It is sad because my trip is coming to a close and I am just starting to feel at home in this country. The Mexicans in my room left to go to Amsterdam this morning, and I was about to join them, but I withheld my free spirit and thought of my responsibilities at home (boooo).
Well, not much more to say today, I am emotionally drained from the events of the day and need to really reflect on them.
Hope all is well!
Krystle
Berlin has shocked and wowwed me, all at the same time. I have never been in such a place of polar opposites and sheer knowledge. I have been on the go nonstop since I got here, and still haven't seen nearly a tenth of what I wanted to. There is just not enough time. I have met and made some really interesting and awesome friends here and feel like I will be leaving the city with so much more than I expected to get out of it. It has really changed me, for the better.
Last night I went on a pub crawl with a Canadian couple I had met and my roommates from the hostel, and it was amazing. So much fun. Berlin really does know how to party, and it lasts forever. I tried to pace myself and not drink that much to stay up late, but by 1 or 2 I was dead to the world. Thank God for the protective boys in my room that took care of me haha.
I leave tomorrow morning for Munich, which is going to be amazing. It is sad because my trip is coming to a close and I am just starting to feel at home in this country. The Mexicans in my room left to go to Amsterdam this morning, and I was about to join them, but I withheld my free spirit and thought of my responsibilities at home (boooo).
Well, not much more to say today, I am emotionally drained from the events of the day and need to really reflect on them.
Hope all is well!
Krystle
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Just another day of history...
So today I decided to take it easy, and by easy I mean only spend about 6 hours walking haha.
I headed off this morning around 930ish and headed to this market area to walk around slowly and just enjoy myself. It was suppose to rain today, but instead we were blessed with a gorgeous sunny day of 24 degrees. It almost felt like Ghana haha.
The walking and aimless wandering paid off, around 10 or so I found a little alleyway that led to an Anne Frank exhibition that housed a bunch of items on loan from the Anne Frank exhibit/museum in Amsterdam. Beside it was Otto Weidt's workshop for the blind, which during the 2nd world war he employed blind and deaf Jews to work for him, and bribed the Gestapo to allow them to carry out their work. He eventually hid a bunch of people in the actual workshop to avoid persecution, and through his bribes and contacts he was able to smuggle 'care packages' to some people in concentration camps, saving their lives. It was amazing. Neither of these museums were listed in the guidebooks, so to not have wandered would have cost me these experiences. After this I went to a Berlin Wall Memorial, which was located in a very interesting spot, where the wall once stood but in this location the sidewalk in front of the apartments which were there at the time belonged to West Berlin, but their apartments were in East Berlin. The people were completely cut off from everzthing they knew, and there were many horrible escape attempts by jumping from the windows of the building... they had a tape playing of all this. It was crazy to see.
Then I went to the East Side Gallery, which is the longest preserved stretch of the Berlin Wall, and has been painted by artists, first time in 1990 and now this year a bunch of them are back to recreate their original painting (destroyed by vandals and weathering/erosion). It was amazing to see. Some of the art appeared meaningless, but others had such deep striking emotions conveyed from it it was hard to keep from crying.
When I came here my main interest was WW2 and the Nazis, but the Berlin Wall has done so much damage to the people here it is unbelievable. I didn't know much about it before I came, but now I am fascinated.
Tomorrow I am going to the concentration camp memorial Sauchsenhausen which should be interesting, and hopefully I will have time to hit a few more museums when I return, but I am going pub crawl tonight so who knows how up for life I will be.
Tomorrow is my last day in Berlin, Friday morning I leave early for Munich. I will be back to this city for sure. There is so much going on its hard to leave. There is a certain vibe here, a melody within the city that is so addicting.
Wow I am poetic today.
Anyways, time to get hopping.
Krystle
I headed off this morning around 930ish and headed to this market area to walk around slowly and just enjoy myself. It was suppose to rain today, but instead we were blessed with a gorgeous sunny day of 24 degrees. It almost felt like Ghana haha.
The walking and aimless wandering paid off, around 10 or so I found a little alleyway that led to an Anne Frank exhibition that housed a bunch of items on loan from the Anne Frank exhibit/museum in Amsterdam. Beside it was Otto Weidt's workshop for the blind, which during the 2nd world war he employed blind and deaf Jews to work for him, and bribed the Gestapo to allow them to carry out their work. He eventually hid a bunch of people in the actual workshop to avoid persecution, and through his bribes and contacts he was able to smuggle 'care packages' to some people in concentration camps, saving their lives. It was amazing. Neither of these museums were listed in the guidebooks, so to not have wandered would have cost me these experiences. After this I went to a Berlin Wall Memorial, which was located in a very interesting spot, where the wall once stood but in this location the sidewalk in front of the apartments which were there at the time belonged to West Berlin, but their apartments were in East Berlin. The people were completely cut off from everzthing they knew, and there were many horrible escape attempts by jumping from the windows of the building... they had a tape playing of all this. It was crazy to see.
Then I went to the East Side Gallery, which is the longest preserved stretch of the Berlin Wall, and has been painted by artists, first time in 1990 and now this year a bunch of them are back to recreate their original painting (destroyed by vandals and weathering/erosion). It was amazing to see. Some of the art appeared meaningless, but others had such deep striking emotions conveyed from it it was hard to keep from crying.
When I came here my main interest was WW2 and the Nazis, but the Berlin Wall has done so much damage to the people here it is unbelievable. I didn't know much about it before I came, but now I am fascinated.
Tomorrow I am going to the concentration camp memorial Sauchsenhausen which should be interesting, and hopefully I will have time to hit a few more museums when I return, but I am going pub crawl tonight so who knows how up for life I will be.
Tomorrow is my last day in Berlin, Friday morning I leave early for Munich. I will be back to this city for sure. There is so much going on its hard to leave. There is a certain vibe here, a melody within the city that is so addicting.
Wow I am poetic today.
Anyways, time to get hopping.
Krystle
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Third Reich
Well today was an incredibly draining day. The hostel room last night saw its share of crazy with one Mexican girl that was out of it and kept us all up all night, and today I spent another good 6 hours`or more walking.
It was a great day though. I met a really awesome couple from the Toronto area and we are going on a pubcrawl tomorrow night, which should be awesome! The roomates are switched up, but now I am in a room with 4 guys and myself, so it is a little awkward but should be ok, two are from Greece, one from Montreal and the other I have not met. Seem nice and normal enough.
So today I took another walking tour, this time called the 'Third Reich' where we went to many important sites of that time and I learnt a ton from the tour guide. We went to the Nazi air force headquarters (now the tax building), the SS and Gestapo headquarters, Goebbel's propaganda ministry, the Soviet memorial, the Neue Synagogue (one of six to survive Kristallnacht), the old Jeiwsh district and the Jewish cemetary. It was really awesome. I learnt so much today that I didn't know before, and have noticed a few patterns within the history of Germany I cannot wait to research once home. There is so much to see and experience in Berlin it is a shame I have only two more full days here and need to do human things that take up time, like eat and sleep.
Tomorrow I was going to go to Saucheshausen but I think I might take it easy tomorrow and do a little shopping instead, maybe see some more museums and the like, try not to walk as much... my body is pretty angry and run down from all the go-go-go, but I hate to waste time. I will go to Sauchenhausen on Thursday during the day, as I leave Friday morning for Munich.
I also went to the German Historical Museum this morning and saw German history basically from the beginning of time, which was pretty fantastic. I am in love with the vibe of this city, and will definately be back.
Anyways, I have nothing more to add, must get going and see more!
Love you all,
Krystle
It was a great day though. I met a really awesome couple from the Toronto area and we are going on a pubcrawl tomorrow night, which should be awesome! The roomates are switched up, but now I am in a room with 4 guys and myself, so it is a little awkward but should be ok, two are from Greece, one from Montreal and the other I have not met. Seem nice and normal enough.
So today I took another walking tour, this time called the 'Third Reich' where we went to many important sites of that time and I learnt a ton from the tour guide. We went to the Nazi air force headquarters (now the tax building), the SS and Gestapo headquarters, Goebbel's propaganda ministry, the Soviet memorial, the Neue Synagogue (one of six to survive Kristallnacht), the old Jeiwsh district and the Jewish cemetary. It was really awesome. I learnt so much today that I didn't know before, and have noticed a few patterns within the history of Germany I cannot wait to research once home. There is so much to see and experience in Berlin it is a shame I have only two more full days here and need to do human things that take up time, like eat and sleep.
Tomorrow I was going to go to Saucheshausen but I think I might take it easy tomorrow and do a little shopping instead, maybe see some more museums and the like, try not to walk as much... my body is pretty angry and run down from all the go-go-go, but I hate to waste time. I will go to Sauchenhausen on Thursday during the day, as I leave Friday morning for Munich.
I also went to the German Historical Museum this morning and saw German history basically from the beginning of time, which was pretty fantastic. I am in love with the vibe of this city, and will definately be back.
Anyways, I have nothing more to add, must get going and see more!
Love you all,
Krystle
Monday, July 13, 2009
Two posts...one day?
In my hasty retreat this morning I forgot to mention my extremely exciting last night in Cologne... I thought I would be going back to the hostel and sleeping, but a new girl in my room and I became fast friends and learnt of the 'Kölner Lichter' which is a huge outdoor celebration in Cologne once a year with fireworks and copious amounts of beer, so we decided to go. She had an early train the next morning so wouldn't be out too late, which was good as I was really tired.
It was so much fun! There were tons of people, but everyone was in a crazy German party mode that was unstoppable. At one point I got asked if I liked cheese, so I responded with a hestitant yes, and along came a dancing cheese man wearing a removable cheese costume that doubled as a mini bar. It was hilarious.
We stayed for the fireworks, which were not that great but were along the Rhine so it was quite magical. We headed back to the hostel around 1AM. The next morning (yesterday) I headed to Berlin.
Today has been another whirlwind day... I can't believe how much I am walking! I am spending an average of 6-8 hours per day walking! I went on the Berlin walking tour this morning, and it was pretty awesome, it went for about 3 1/2 hours, covering tons of the major sites; Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, above Hitler's bunker (where he committed suicide April 30), Holocaust Memorial, The Nazi book burning memorial, Checkpoint Charlie, Postsdamer Platz, SS Headquarters, The Berlin Wall, Pariser PLatz, Bebelplatz, and a few others. It was pretty amazing. After that I went to the Altes Museum, which houses a huge inventory of European history, fairly impressive, but I had seen many like it in Cologne. After that I went back to Checkpoint Charlie to actually visit the museum, as we just went to the area on the tour. It was a sobering experience as within the museum there are many personal stories of escape, murder and loss. Very much an experience to remember. From there I went to Topography of Terror, which was the SS and Gestapo headquarters in Berlin, and where many people were innocently killed and detained, tortured and maimed. It was an outdoor exhibit as they are working on the construction of the museum, but was a gorgeous day so I was thankful to be outside.
From here I just walked. I walked all the way back to my hostel, which was pretty freakin far, and downed the largest beer known to man. Pretty good beer, but not my favorite. It's so cool, every region here in Germany has their own special brews, today I tried the Berliner Pils, not as good as the Bitburger or Kölner Pils in Cologne. I moved from a private room into a dorm today, and was stuck with the crapiest bed... oh well, as soon as one of the others moves out I am jumping on their bed haha.
Tomorrow I think I am going to go to the Tiergarten, which is a lovely garden area and there are monuments and museums within it, and at 1PM I am going on a Third Reich tour, to see all the Nazi sites... I am pretty stoked. Wednesday I am going to Sauchenhausen, another concentration camp, which is exciting as I thought I was only going to see Dachau when in Munich.
Not much more to report here, Berlin has a bustling nightlife and the gorgeous reception boy is trying to talk me into going out tonight, so I just might end up going on a pub crawl organized through the hostel, but am undecided....
talk to you all soon...
Krystle
It was so much fun! There were tons of people, but everyone was in a crazy German party mode that was unstoppable. At one point I got asked if I liked cheese, so I responded with a hestitant yes, and along came a dancing cheese man wearing a removable cheese costume that doubled as a mini bar. It was hilarious.
We stayed for the fireworks, which were not that great but were along the Rhine so it was quite magical. We headed back to the hostel around 1AM. The next morning (yesterday) I headed to Berlin.
Today has been another whirlwind day... I can't believe how much I am walking! I am spending an average of 6-8 hours per day walking! I went on the Berlin walking tour this morning, and it was pretty awesome, it went for about 3 1/2 hours, covering tons of the major sites; Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, above Hitler's bunker (where he committed suicide April 30), Holocaust Memorial, The Nazi book burning memorial, Checkpoint Charlie, Postsdamer Platz, SS Headquarters, The Berlin Wall, Pariser PLatz, Bebelplatz, and a few others. It was pretty amazing. After that I went to the Altes Museum, which houses a huge inventory of European history, fairly impressive, but I had seen many like it in Cologne. After that I went back to Checkpoint Charlie to actually visit the museum, as we just went to the area on the tour. It was a sobering experience as within the museum there are many personal stories of escape, murder and loss. Very much an experience to remember. From there I went to Topography of Terror, which was the SS and Gestapo headquarters in Berlin, and where many people were innocently killed and detained, tortured and maimed. It was an outdoor exhibit as they are working on the construction of the museum, but was a gorgeous day so I was thankful to be outside.
From here I just walked. I walked all the way back to my hostel, which was pretty freakin far, and downed the largest beer known to man. Pretty good beer, but not my favorite. It's so cool, every region here in Germany has their own special brews, today I tried the Berliner Pils, not as good as the Bitburger or Kölner Pils in Cologne. I moved from a private room into a dorm today, and was stuck with the crapiest bed... oh well, as soon as one of the others moves out I am jumping on their bed haha.
Tomorrow I think I am going to go to the Tiergarten, which is a lovely garden area and there are monuments and museums within it, and at 1PM I am going on a Third Reich tour, to see all the Nazi sites... I am pretty stoked. Wednesday I am going to Sauchenhausen, another concentration camp, which is exciting as I thought I was only going to see Dachau when in Munich.
Not much more to report here, Berlin has a bustling nightlife and the gorgeous reception boy is trying to talk me into going out tonight, so I just might end up going on a pub crawl organized through the hostel, but am undecided....
talk to you all soon...
Krystle
It's Berlin... it's sunny...I've had 12 hours of sleep.... WATCH OUT!
Hello!
I only have a quick moment to write, but i am here in Berlin, and enjoying myself thus far. I arrived yesterday afternoon and decided to take the day off to beat this cold. I laid around and took a sleeping pill and was out by about 7 o'clock. It was lovely.
Today I am going on a walking tour of the city, so I hope it stays nice. It has been raining everyday except today!
Nothing much to write, except I am super surprised at my ability to navigate a country I don't know in a language I don't understand. I haven't gotten lost once!
I will write later!
Krystle
I only have a quick moment to write, but i am here in Berlin, and enjoying myself thus far. I arrived yesterday afternoon and decided to take the day off to beat this cold. I laid around and took a sleeping pill and was out by about 7 o'clock. It was lovely.
Today I am going on a walking tour of the city, so I hope it stays nice. It has been raining everyday except today!
Nothing much to write, except I am super surprised at my ability to navigate a country I don't know in a language I don't understand. I haven't gotten lost once!
I will write later!
Krystle
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Another crazy day in Cologne...
Here I am at dinnertime of another day, completley wiped. I should have known that this is what I would do, so a cheap hotel would have been better, as the roomates I have in my hostel are here for the nightlife, so they were getting ready to go out while I was trying to sleep last night, and came back super late... I was not impressed, but they were trying to be quiet so I didn't say anything. I am going to find some sleeping pills I think for tonight, as this morning I noticed they had a bag full of liquor, so tonight will probably be more of a bang than last night.
But I was up at 7:30 this morning, and made sure they knew it, to be fair haha.
Wow today was long, but started off kind of rocky. I was too early for anything I wanted to do, and had read the hours wrong on a couple museums, so I sat and ate pastries fo about an hour... one after the other. My taste buds were singing, but my waist was crying haha.
When I finally got the day started properly I made my way to St.Ursula cathedral, which had been built for St.Ursula, the patron saint apparently of Cologne... she was a big believer in celibacy and would not cave, even upon her bethrothal. She was the leader of a group of martyrs as well... I want to look up more, there was not much info available, and the info that was was in German... it was more of an off the beaten path type thing and away from the tourist zone, butz really cool. After that I went to the NS-Dokumentationszentrum, which is the documentation centre on national socialism. The building was the headquarters for the Gestapo in Cologne from 1935 to 1945, and had an underground 'interrogation' chamber, which were actually prison cells. There was a huge exhibition on the rise and fall of the Nazi party, with a fine tuned focus on the party here, in Cologne. It was really cool too, and hard to find, so not many people were there, which was nice.
After that I went to the Praetorium, which was the administrative centre and residence of the Roman governors, and is the most important building on the Rhine, the border of the Roman empire. The ehxibit itself was a bunch of ruins underground, but it was amazing. There were many signs and information boards, but none in English, so I will have to do my best with what my imagination tells me haha.
From there I went to the Wallraf-Richardz Museum & Fondation Carboud, which showcases European paintings from the 13th century through the 19th century, along with sculptures and impressionalist paintings. It was amazing to stand and look at something that is 700 years old, and just think of the way the world was back then. It was an opportunity for the mind to wander. There was a special exhibit called The Moon, which basically went through the 400 year history (from Galileo's first telescope) to current images of the moon, and how they have been portrayed in art. It was fantastic. I was speechless with the amount of delicacy in some of the paintings. It was awesome. I looked at a bunch of Rembrandt and Monet work, and realize I don't really like their work haha. I can add them to work of famous artists I have seen, now next to picasso. I think I read somewhere that this museum has the largest or one of the largest collections of art spanning this many years. It was seriously something else.
I went back to the cathedral (the Dom) again today, just the outside, and man oh man I am happy I went yesterday as there was about 35X the amount of people there than when I went, which definately takes away from the experience.
The weather was crap again today, raining on and off and cold. I am still battling this cold, which sucks and is super annoying, but I am hoping to kick it shortly (or give it to the partying roomates haha).
Anyways, I figure I have written enough for today, I haven't even included everything that happened, as my days have been crazy packed!
I leave for Berlin tomorrow morning, I catch a train around 10AM and the trip is about 5 hours, so luckily I can catch some sleep there if the roomates party too hard tonight. I am excited but nervous for Berlin, I am super psyched to see all the history and sites it has to offer.
I am thinking about eating at a South African restaraunt tonight, either that or Mexican, but I can't decide. Now I am just babbling... I will write again in a couple days when I am settled in Berlin!
Love Krystle
But I was up at 7:30 this morning, and made sure they knew it, to be fair haha.
Wow today was long, but started off kind of rocky. I was too early for anything I wanted to do, and had read the hours wrong on a couple museums, so I sat and ate pastries fo about an hour... one after the other. My taste buds were singing, but my waist was crying haha.
When I finally got the day started properly I made my way to St.Ursula cathedral, which had been built for St.Ursula, the patron saint apparently of Cologne... she was a big believer in celibacy and would not cave, even upon her bethrothal. She was the leader of a group of martyrs as well... I want to look up more, there was not much info available, and the info that was was in German... it was more of an off the beaten path type thing and away from the tourist zone, butz really cool. After that I went to the NS-Dokumentationszentrum, which is the documentation centre on national socialism. The building was the headquarters for the Gestapo in Cologne from 1935 to 1945, and had an underground 'interrogation' chamber, which were actually prison cells. There was a huge exhibition on the rise and fall of the Nazi party, with a fine tuned focus on the party here, in Cologne. It was really cool too, and hard to find, so not many people were there, which was nice.
After that I went to the Praetorium, which was the administrative centre and residence of the Roman governors, and is the most important building on the Rhine, the border of the Roman empire. The ehxibit itself was a bunch of ruins underground, but it was amazing. There were many signs and information boards, but none in English, so I will have to do my best with what my imagination tells me haha.
From there I went to the Wallraf-Richardz Museum & Fondation Carboud, which showcases European paintings from the 13th century through the 19th century, along with sculptures and impressionalist paintings. It was amazing to stand and look at something that is 700 years old, and just think of the way the world was back then. It was an opportunity for the mind to wander. There was a special exhibit called The Moon, which basically went through the 400 year history (from Galileo's first telescope) to current images of the moon, and how they have been portrayed in art. It was fantastic. I was speechless with the amount of delicacy in some of the paintings. It was awesome. I looked at a bunch of Rembrandt and Monet work, and realize I don't really like their work haha. I can add them to work of famous artists I have seen, now next to picasso. I think I read somewhere that this museum has the largest or one of the largest collections of art spanning this many years. It was seriously something else.
I went back to the cathedral (the Dom) again today, just the outside, and man oh man I am happy I went yesterday as there was about 35X the amount of people there than when I went, which definately takes away from the experience.
The weather was crap again today, raining on and off and cold. I am still battling this cold, which sucks and is super annoying, but I am hoping to kick it shortly (or give it to the partying roomates haha).
Anyways, I figure I have written enough for today, I haven't even included everything that happened, as my days have been crazy packed!
I leave for Berlin tomorrow morning, I catch a train around 10AM and the trip is about 5 hours, so luckily I can catch some sleep there if the roomates party too hard tonight. I am excited but nervous for Berlin, I am super psyched to see all the history and sites it has to offer.
I am thinking about eating at a South African restaraunt tonight, either that or Mexican, but I can't decide. Now I am just babbling... I will write again in a couple days when I am settled in Berlin!
Love Krystle
Friday, July 10, 2009
Whirlwind Cologne...
Wow it has been a lonnnnnnng day, but wonderful :)
I started it off around 9AM, leaving the hostel in a tank top and jeans, thinking it would warm up. WRONG. By the time I had gotten to my first destination, the Dom Cathedral, it had gotten super cold, windy and rainy, so I spent the next hour looking for somewhere open to buy a jacket, luckily finding a place around 10 and buying a jacket after receiving many disapproving glances from middle aged women and mothers with children.
From there I was off.... I first went to the Dom Cathedral, and let me tell you, I actually had to brace myself. There was so much intricate detail in one place I almost cried. The church itself is from the 13th century, but inside there were many treasures from much earlier, especially in the Treasury, which housed amazing things from the ages. I have little internet time today, so I wonät go into great detail, but google it and see for yourself. It is unbelievable.
From there I went to the Romisch-Germanisches museum, which housed prehistoric artefats and Roman and German ruins, treasures and amazing pieces of culture and history. There were pieces in there from the first century AD. I almost died when I sat there staring at things 2000 years old. It was amazing!
From there I decided I wanted to go to the Perfume Museum, as Cologne is where the first perfume was invented in 1709 by Johann Farina, an Italian who had emigrated here. It was amazing to see all the progress and hear the stories of how something we take so lightly came about... there was huge scandal and prestige associated with Eau de Cologne. I got a little bottle of the 'original' so I can remember it by.
After this I decided to go to the Schokoladenmuseum (Chocolate Museum) where I literally saw what happened once the cocoa arrived. This was super exciting as I saw the cocoa harvesting part back in Ghana, and now I got to see what actually happened to the crude product to make it into such a delight. I watched it being made in front of my eyes and took it all in. There were chocolate fountains and machines everywhere... honestly Willy Wonka would have been proud. Mom you will probably die of jealousy while reading this haha.
From here I decided it was time to head back to the hostel, but stopped at the Ludwig Museum instead and looked at art from the 20th and 21st centuries, and saw a plethora of Picasso's work - I didn't really like his work but it was cool to say I have seen in person. There were some really cool exhibits, but there were also some that were frankly quite frightening. There was a little room that was creaky and weird and had this weird moving broom with a speaker in a tube on the neck of it... there was weird German spewing out, I couldn't understand, but I hated it. It was so scary! It was a really cool museum to see though!
I am back at the hostel now, sorry I can't give better descriptions of what I did and saw today, but my internet time is limited and costs an arm and a leg here. Tomorrow should be just as busy, but I know my way around pretty well now, after nearly 8 hours of walking today. I have the train system down pretty well, and I am even able to recognize some German. When people speak it to me or I read it I can pick things out, but asking me to speak it will never happen.
I hope all is well at home,
I am fine - happy, healthy (well actually I have quite the cold, it is freezing here and has been raining since I got here, quite a difference from the weather I had the last 2 months. Today I went into a greenhouse just to feel normal hahahah) and enjoying myself immensely.
I will try to write again shortly.
Love Krystle
I started it off around 9AM, leaving the hostel in a tank top and jeans, thinking it would warm up. WRONG. By the time I had gotten to my first destination, the Dom Cathedral, it had gotten super cold, windy and rainy, so I spent the next hour looking for somewhere open to buy a jacket, luckily finding a place around 10 and buying a jacket after receiving many disapproving glances from middle aged women and mothers with children.
From there I was off.... I first went to the Dom Cathedral, and let me tell you, I actually had to brace myself. There was so much intricate detail in one place I almost cried. The church itself is from the 13th century, but inside there were many treasures from much earlier, especially in the Treasury, which housed amazing things from the ages. I have little internet time today, so I wonät go into great detail, but google it and see for yourself. It is unbelievable.
From there I went to the Romisch-Germanisches museum, which housed prehistoric artefats and Roman and German ruins, treasures and amazing pieces of culture and history. There were pieces in there from the first century AD. I almost died when I sat there staring at things 2000 years old. It was amazing!
From there I decided I wanted to go to the Perfume Museum, as Cologne is where the first perfume was invented in 1709 by Johann Farina, an Italian who had emigrated here. It was amazing to see all the progress and hear the stories of how something we take so lightly came about... there was huge scandal and prestige associated with Eau de Cologne. I got a little bottle of the 'original' so I can remember it by.
After this I decided to go to the Schokoladenmuseum (Chocolate Museum) where I literally saw what happened once the cocoa arrived. This was super exciting as I saw the cocoa harvesting part back in Ghana, and now I got to see what actually happened to the crude product to make it into such a delight. I watched it being made in front of my eyes and took it all in. There were chocolate fountains and machines everywhere... honestly Willy Wonka would have been proud. Mom you will probably die of jealousy while reading this haha.
From here I decided it was time to head back to the hostel, but stopped at the Ludwig Museum instead and looked at art from the 20th and 21st centuries, and saw a plethora of Picasso's work - I didn't really like his work but it was cool to say I have seen in person. There were some really cool exhibits, but there were also some that were frankly quite frightening. There was a little room that was creaky and weird and had this weird moving broom with a speaker in a tube on the neck of it... there was weird German spewing out, I couldn't understand, but I hated it. It was so scary! It was a really cool museum to see though!
I am back at the hostel now, sorry I can't give better descriptions of what I did and saw today, but my internet time is limited and costs an arm and a leg here. Tomorrow should be just as busy, but I know my way around pretty well now, after nearly 8 hours of walking today. I have the train system down pretty well, and I am even able to recognize some German. When people speak it to me or I read it I can pick things out, but asking me to speak it will never happen.
I hope all is well at home,
I am fine - happy, healthy (well actually I have quite the cold, it is freezing here and has been raining since I got here, quite a difference from the weather I had the last 2 months. Today I went into a greenhouse just to feel normal hahahah) and enjoying myself immensely.
I will try to write again shortly.
Love Krystle
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Am I dreaming?
Wow is all I can say right now... I love this country!!!
Yesterday I took a day tour along the Rhine, where I was the only person under the age of at least 45, and went to two different German states and saw a bunch of the famous sites along the famous river, taking a cable car/chair lift thing down a mountain into Assmannshausen (adorable little city). From there was lunch at an eclectic little restaraunt, which was so stuffed with trinkets it was amaying we could fit inside. From there we then took a ferry ride from Rudesheim to St.Goarsheim (my spelling is probably off) where I saw the most beautiful castles and scenery imaginable. The area we were in was a UNESCO protected area for having the most castles in the world apparently. Absolutely breathtaking. I found a spot on the ferry at the very back on the deck where nobody was, and it was magic to sit there enjoying a beautiful German beer enjoying the world.
From there we went for wine tasting, and I got to enjoy some of the famous German wines, which were beautiful. I learnt a lot about the wining process, and the difference between all the wines, which I enjoyed a lot. After this it was time for a quick knick-knack stop and then onwards back to Frankfurt.
Upon arriving back to Frankfurt I decided I wanted to be adventurous and headed across the river the the Southern part of Frankfurt for dinner. I wanted an authentic German place to eat, and the hotel recommended a famous place that I headed, Adolf Wagner. I arrived to find the German scene so often portrayed in the movies; benches lined up with people elbow to elbow, laughing, drinking, talking... it was a little overwhelming. I was seated opposite a girl my age and handed a menu. I could not understand a single word of it... I decided that I was going to risk it and pick something off the menu that I thought sounded appetizing (knowing no German, that could have been rough) but the waiter seemed to notice my distress and came over after about 10 minutes, then I told him I could not read any of it, then he brought me an English menu. The girl opposite me started to laugh, and I got a little miffed as I thought she was laughing at me, but as it turned out, she was in the same predicament and had no idea what to do. We instantly became friends. She is from Turkey and left this morning to go to Paris, also travelling alone. We shared stories and ate together, and actually left the restaurant together as our hotels were super close to each others. I had the Frankfurt special shnitzel with 'green sauce' and apple wine - all a Frankfurt specialty according to my tour guide. I was a little apprhensive, but when I got it the food looked so good, and the portion was HUGE! I ate it and fell in love immediately. SOOOOOOO GOOD! She ordered the same thing and enjoyed it as well.
Today I am heading to Cologne, sometime soon here. I am super exhausted, still trying desperately to catch up on sleep from last week when I barely slept at all. I fell asleep at random intervals the last couple of days, which was easy when in a hotel room alone. From here on out I am sharing hostel rooms, so it should be interesting to say the least.
Anyways, time to get hopping and start the day properly.
Will write when I can!
Love Krystle
Yesterday I took a day tour along the Rhine, where I was the only person under the age of at least 45, and went to two different German states and saw a bunch of the famous sites along the famous river, taking a cable car/chair lift thing down a mountain into Assmannshausen (adorable little city). From there was lunch at an eclectic little restaraunt, which was so stuffed with trinkets it was amaying we could fit inside. From there we then took a ferry ride from Rudesheim to St.Goarsheim (my spelling is probably off) where I saw the most beautiful castles and scenery imaginable. The area we were in was a UNESCO protected area for having the most castles in the world apparently. Absolutely breathtaking. I found a spot on the ferry at the very back on the deck where nobody was, and it was magic to sit there enjoying a beautiful German beer enjoying the world.
From there we went for wine tasting, and I got to enjoy some of the famous German wines, which were beautiful. I learnt a lot about the wining process, and the difference between all the wines, which I enjoyed a lot. After this it was time for a quick knick-knack stop and then onwards back to Frankfurt.
Upon arriving back to Frankfurt I decided I wanted to be adventurous and headed across the river the the Southern part of Frankfurt for dinner. I wanted an authentic German place to eat, and the hotel recommended a famous place that I headed, Adolf Wagner. I arrived to find the German scene so often portrayed in the movies; benches lined up with people elbow to elbow, laughing, drinking, talking... it was a little overwhelming. I was seated opposite a girl my age and handed a menu. I could not understand a single word of it... I decided that I was going to risk it and pick something off the menu that I thought sounded appetizing (knowing no German, that could have been rough) but the waiter seemed to notice my distress and came over after about 10 minutes, then I told him I could not read any of it, then he brought me an English menu. The girl opposite me started to laugh, and I got a little miffed as I thought she was laughing at me, but as it turned out, she was in the same predicament and had no idea what to do. We instantly became friends. She is from Turkey and left this morning to go to Paris, also travelling alone. We shared stories and ate together, and actually left the restaurant together as our hotels were super close to each others. I had the Frankfurt special shnitzel with 'green sauce' and apple wine - all a Frankfurt specialty according to my tour guide. I was a little apprhensive, but when I got it the food looked so good, and the portion was HUGE! I ate it and fell in love immediately. SOOOOOOO GOOD! She ordered the same thing and enjoyed it as well.
Today I am heading to Cologne, sometime soon here. I am super exhausted, still trying desperately to catch up on sleep from last week when I barely slept at all. I fell asleep at random intervals the last couple of days, which was easy when in a hotel room alone. From here on out I am sharing hostel rooms, so it should be interesting to say the least.
Anyways, time to get hopping and start the day properly.
Will write when I can!
Love Krystle
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Hello from Frankfurt!!
So I have officially touched down on another continent for a new adventure!
I left Ghana at 11PM July 6, and got to Germany 730AM July 7, and here I am. I tried to figure myself out at the airport, but found it extremely difficult when everyone is speaking a different language and thinks I can too, everyone is speaking to me in German and I have no idea what they are saying!
I finally boarded the proper train away from the airport to the city center, and arrived at my hotel around 9AM, and luckily it is right outside the train station, so once I got to the proper train and station it was smooth sailing from there. The hotel is absolutely fantastic! I arrived early and they allowed me to check in 3 hours early, and have complementary buffet breakfast. My room is gorgeous as well... small but lovely. As soon as they told me I could eat I dove in - I had cheese and milk for the first time in two months so that was really exciting! I settled into my room and had a shower (not from a bucket... woo!) and was about to take a nap but the excitement of my surroundings was killing me, so I decided to check everything out. I left around 10 to find the shopping plaza that was nearby... I left like half my clothes in Africa, they were stained and stinky and gross, so I needed to buy a few things.
It is so weird not standing out like crazy, and being able to walk down the street without children running up to touch me. I miss it! Germany is gorgeous... the little I have seen thus far, but there are a few things that stand out right away; Germans smoke A LOT!!! In Ghana nearly nobody smoked, it was associated with fast living smelling but everyone smokes here it is disgusting. They are also pushy and don.t apologize when they smash into you... pretty annoying. Oh well.
Anyways I am having a hard time typing this out, I found a small internet cafe in the Turkish area downtown and the keyboard is messed up and has a bunch of funky characters and letters in different places, so I am signing off now. It is probably a good idea to maybe sleep a little, I am going on 36 hours with no sleep, and have slept minimal since Thursday, so I need to relax a litttle, but there is so much excitement to behold!
I hope I will have a chance for updates as I go.... I am in Frankfurt until Thursday, then off to Cologne then Berlin then Munich and finally Nuremburg before returning home. I am so excited!!
xo
Krystle
I left Ghana at 11PM July 6, and got to Germany 730AM July 7, and here I am. I tried to figure myself out at the airport, but found it extremely difficult when everyone is speaking a different language and thinks I can too, everyone is speaking to me in German and I have no idea what they are saying!
I finally boarded the proper train away from the airport to the city center, and arrived at my hotel around 9AM, and luckily it is right outside the train station, so once I got to the proper train and station it was smooth sailing from there. The hotel is absolutely fantastic! I arrived early and they allowed me to check in 3 hours early, and have complementary buffet breakfast. My room is gorgeous as well... small but lovely. As soon as they told me I could eat I dove in - I had cheese and milk for the first time in two months so that was really exciting! I settled into my room and had a shower (not from a bucket... woo!) and was about to take a nap but the excitement of my surroundings was killing me, so I decided to check everything out. I left around 10 to find the shopping plaza that was nearby... I left like half my clothes in Africa, they were stained and stinky and gross, so I needed to buy a few things.
It is so weird not standing out like crazy, and being able to walk down the street without children running up to touch me. I miss it! Germany is gorgeous... the little I have seen thus far, but there are a few things that stand out right away; Germans smoke A LOT!!! In Ghana nearly nobody smoked, it was associated with fast living smelling but everyone smokes here it is disgusting. They are also pushy and don.t apologize when they smash into you... pretty annoying. Oh well.
Anyways I am having a hard time typing this out, I found a small internet cafe in the Turkish area downtown and the keyboard is messed up and has a bunch of funky characters and letters in different places, so I am signing off now. It is probably a good idea to maybe sleep a little, I am going on 36 hours with no sleep, and have slept minimal since Thursday, so I need to relax a litttle, but there is so much excitement to behold!
I hope I will have a chance for updates as I go.... I am in Frankfurt until Thursday, then off to Cologne then Berlin then Munich and finally Nuremburg before returning home. I am so excited!!
xo
Krystle
Monday, July 6, 2009
My time on the African continent is coming to a close...
Wow, what a weekend.
Friday night a bunch of us volunteers (10 in total) headed into Accra for a night out at a karaoke bar type thing, sort of a sports bar called Champs. We got there around 10 and the drinking started immediately. The drinks were fairly expensive but so strong that you needed to give your head a shake when finished. I of course decided that my new name was Frank the Tank and took the drinking to a new level. The memories of this night are hazy, but I met a US Marine that stole my attention for the night, so it was enjoyable to say the least.
Saturday I went shopping with the girls all day, just having a nice time, taking in the little time I had left in Accra, Ghana's capital. The fellow said he would call around 9 that evening, and we had made plans to go out, but then 8PM rolls around, and I thought to myself; "what would happen if he didn't call, I didn't want to waste my last Saturday night in Ghana waiting for a boy" so I checked with the others and found another girl that wanted to go out. Out of 9 people she was the only one willing to be a trooper (she is Norweigan, so a viking) and we went out. He called and we made plans to meet up, eventually meeting him and some other marines at the same bar as the night before, after a few stops at various bars and clubs along the way - only this time there was a special on, 15 cedi (like 12 dollars) and drink all you can until 1 AM. This was like 10PM, so I looked at Monica, and we decided to go for it and took the challenge.
Needless to say it was another long night full of partying and lack of sleep, but amazing and so much fun, all at the same time!
I really enjoyed the company of the marine, but it would never happen realistically as he is actually stationed in Chad (kind of by Sudan) and was only here for a week anyways. He will be in Chad until the earliest of October, but doesn't know, and will be all over the place for a long time. I had to laugh a little at my luck, just the norm for me, and then we exchanged emails (so 21st century).
Sunday I spent with some other volunteers, we headed to Aburi botanical gardens and hit some arts markets along the way. It was a very nice day, and I thought, what better to do than meet up with the other hot American boy I had met previous (med school student). We had lunch, which was nice, but I was so tired I couldn't focus on life. I had slept a total of 2 hours in the last 2 nights, so I was dead.
I can't believe the partying that took place this weekend, it was totally out of character but awesome! I was shocked and thrilled at the same time with the events of the weekend, but am now nervous to head to Germany tonight to drink at the rowdiest beer loving country in the world. It could get messy real quick, but I look forward to the history and the impact the country has on me. I lucked out and got into contact with a friend who lives in Munich so she will show me around for the 3 days I am there, which is nice.
I leave tonight at 11PM and arrive tomorrow at Frankfurt at 730AM (1130PM your time the day before). I am so excited but so torn on how I feel, I thought I would be happy to leave here, but I look back on all the craziness of the past two months, and it was all worth it, and every trying experience was worth its weight in gold. The things I thought I hated here I now realize they are some of the things I love the most. This experience has done so much to change me as a person, it is shocking to look back on the inner transformation that has taken place. I can't even begin to describe the things that have meant the most and have had the strangest impact on me, every experience from climbing a mountain to a conversation with a stranger to being pooped on have shaken me to the core in different ways and have done a lot to strengthen my faith in myself and my abilities as a person. I feel like I am leaving with regret in that my time here was short, but I feel that the experiences and memories have made me a better person.
I am not sure how often I will post in Europe, depending on the cost to use the internet, but I will try to keep you all updated on my current travels!
Germany here I come!
Friday night a bunch of us volunteers (10 in total) headed into Accra for a night out at a karaoke bar type thing, sort of a sports bar called Champs. We got there around 10 and the drinking started immediately. The drinks were fairly expensive but so strong that you needed to give your head a shake when finished. I of course decided that my new name was Frank the Tank and took the drinking to a new level. The memories of this night are hazy, but I met a US Marine that stole my attention for the night, so it was enjoyable to say the least.
Saturday I went shopping with the girls all day, just having a nice time, taking in the little time I had left in Accra, Ghana's capital. The fellow said he would call around 9 that evening, and we had made plans to go out, but then 8PM rolls around, and I thought to myself; "what would happen if he didn't call, I didn't want to waste my last Saturday night in Ghana waiting for a boy" so I checked with the others and found another girl that wanted to go out. Out of 9 people she was the only one willing to be a trooper (she is Norweigan, so a viking) and we went out. He called and we made plans to meet up, eventually meeting him and some other marines at the same bar as the night before, after a few stops at various bars and clubs along the way - only this time there was a special on, 15 cedi (like 12 dollars) and drink all you can until 1 AM. This was like 10PM, so I looked at Monica, and we decided to go for it and took the challenge.
Needless to say it was another long night full of partying and lack of sleep, but amazing and so much fun, all at the same time!
I really enjoyed the company of the marine, but it would never happen realistically as he is actually stationed in Chad (kind of by Sudan) and was only here for a week anyways. He will be in Chad until the earliest of October, but doesn't know, and will be all over the place for a long time. I had to laugh a little at my luck, just the norm for me, and then we exchanged emails (so 21st century).
Sunday I spent with some other volunteers, we headed to Aburi botanical gardens and hit some arts markets along the way. It was a very nice day, and I thought, what better to do than meet up with the other hot American boy I had met previous (med school student). We had lunch, which was nice, but I was so tired I couldn't focus on life. I had slept a total of 2 hours in the last 2 nights, so I was dead.
I can't believe the partying that took place this weekend, it was totally out of character but awesome! I was shocked and thrilled at the same time with the events of the weekend, but am now nervous to head to Germany tonight to drink at the rowdiest beer loving country in the world. It could get messy real quick, but I look forward to the history and the impact the country has on me. I lucked out and got into contact with a friend who lives in Munich so she will show me around for the 3 days I am there, which is nice.
I leave tonight at 11PM and arrive tomorrow at Frankfurt at 730AM (1130PM your time the day before). I am so excited but so torn on how I feel, I thought I would be happy to leave here, but I look back on all the craziness of the past two months, and it was all worth it, and every trying experience was worth its weight in gold. The things I thought I hated here I now realize they are some of the things I love the most. This experience has done so much to change me as a person, it is shocking to look back on the inner transformation that has taken place. I can't even begin to describe the things that have meant the most and have had the strangest impact on me, every experience from climbing a mountain to a conversation with a stranger to being pooped on have shaken me to the core in different ways and have done a lot to strengthen my faith in myself and my abilities as a person. I feel like I am leaving with regret in that my time here was short, but I feel that the experiences and memories have made me a better person.
I am not sure how often I will post in Europe, depending on the cost to use the internet, but I will try to keep you all updated on my current travels!
Germany here I come!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Just a few more days...
So my time here in Ghana is coming to a close... I leave in 4 days for Europe. It almost feels unreal to be leaving... I have made some wonderful friends and feel completely comfortable and integrated into society. On the one hand I am comfortable and enjoy it here, but on the other hand I do feel ready to leave and begin my next adventure. I am getting a tad stir crazy and am starting to get really sick of being conned and cheated because of the color of my skin. Really annoying.
The scenery is gorgeous however, but Germany will be as well.
Yesterday we went to Cape Coast to see another slave castle, the Cape Coast Castle. It is smaller and younger than Elmina, but depressing just the same. The others went to Kakum National Park (I have already been) so I just parked it on the beach (in the cleanest place I could find) and read for awhile. I finally have found some sort of travel guide for Germany - from 2004, but a start to hold me off until I get there on Tuesday. I had a beer and actually found a spot where I wasn't bothered very much, so it was a really great day.
Today I should be at the oprphanage, but I am sick again (probably from the kids) so am staying away from there for the day. I have been working with the creche kids (aged 3-5 ish) and it is a sheer hell in a sense, but at the end of the day there is a true sense of accomplishment from keeping 30 of them in line (somewhat) and actually engaging their minds into something, whether it be sleep or reading haha.
The weather is a little nicer again, still raining every other day, but a little warmer.
There is not much to report, this weekend we are spending the night (Friday) in Accra apparently at a karaoke bar (oh dear) and the rest of the weekend in Aburi, visiting the botanical gardens, picking up last minute souveneirs and things like that. My flight leaves Accra 11PM (5PM your time) and gets into Frankfurt at 730AM. I am super excited!
I am off to try and find a pharmacy as this sickness willl take me down soon I think, and I think I have developed some sort of acid-reflux issue here, so I have been living on antacids... time to get more.
Hope all is well!
Love Krystle
The scenery is gorgeous however, but Germany will be as well.
Yesterday we went to Cape Coast to see another slave castle, the Cape Coast Castle. It is smaller and younger than Elmina, but depressing just the same. The others went to Kakum National Park (I have already been) so I just parked it on the beach (in the cleanest place I could find) and read for awhile. I finally have found some sort of travel guide for Germany - from 2004, but a start to hold me off until I get there on Tuesday. I had a beer and actually found a spot where I wasn't bothered very much, so it was a really great day.
Today I should be at the oprphanage, but I am sick again (probably from the kids) so am staying away from there for the day. I have been working with the creche kids (aged 3-5 ish) and it is a sheer hell in a sense, but at the end of the day there is a true sense of accomplishment from keeping 30 of them in line (somewhat) and actually engaging their minds into something, whether it be sleep or reading haha.
The weather is a little nicer again, still raining every other day, but a little warmer.
There is not much to report, this weekend we are spending the night (Friday) in Accra apparently at a karaoke bar (oh dear) and the rest of the weekend in Aburi, visiting the botanical gardens, picking up last minute souveneirs and things like that. My flight leaves Accra 11PM (5PM your time) and gets into Frankfurt at 730AM. I am super excited!
I am off to try and find a pharmacy as this sickness willl take me down soon I think, and I think I have developed some sort of acid-reflux issue here, so I have been living on antacids... time to get more.
Hope all is well!
Love Krystle
Sunday, June 28, 2009
8 hours of hiking + another illegal border crossing + highest waterfall in West Africa - half a toenail + hot American med school boy = a long day
Hello!
This weekend has been extremely packed.
Friday we headed from Ofaakor-Kasoa-Accra-Hohoe, which was quite a pain in the ass and made for a long day. We finally made it into Hohoe about 630PM which here is pitch black, and it was pouring rain. We were brilliant and didn't book a hotel room, and the first couple (decent) places we tried were booked up. We ended up at this blowout place called the Matvin that honestly looked like the Norman Bates psycho motel. It was bad. I was surprised to wake up alive it was that shabby.
Saturday morning we headed to Wli for the waterfall hike. The hotel we had booked there had another confusion and there was only one double room for the three of us (two men and I) which none of us were comfortable with, but we decided to drop our stuff off while they figured it out and head to the tourist station for the waterfall hike to enquire about times and such. We get there and he tells us we can go right away, we had only a little water and no food, but it was suppose to only take a few hours so we jumped on it. This hike was absolutely brutal. I have never in my life endured something as strenuous and physically trying. I had to stop numerous times, and wasn't feeling great to begin with - combined with a low blood sugar (small breakfast 2 hours previous) equalled a deadly combination. I was swaying and falling over on a steep cliff with nearly 100% incline. I ended up having an emotional breakdown, and told the boys and the guide to go on without me, I would catch up. They left and I sat there and cried for a little while, until I gathered the last of my willpower and energy and took it head on. I knew if I didn't I would regret it for the rest of my life. It was worth it... these falls were gorgeous. It was definately an emotional moment when I finally made it, alone. We met with another group and started to chat, and their guide was going to take them over another mountain into Togo, so we decided to go with. At this point it was about noon and we ate last at 730AM, and had been sweating and climbing the entire time. We were told the village in Togo we were going to had food so we pushed on through. We ended up in Togo in a little village after another crazy hike. We ate mangoes and bananas and some weird powdered mix out of dirty bowls and with our hands and filthy conditions nobody otherwise would have eaten, but we knew we wouldn't make it back if we didn't. 4PM rolled around and we were still in Togo, and we knew we had to go down these crazy mountains before dark so we put a move on it. Going down was as hard as going up, I rolled my ankles numerous times and my toes were hurting pretty badly smashed inside my wet hiking boots. We finally made it down just before dark, and I could've kissed the ground - had there not been other people around I would have.
We headed back to the hotel to find out the room hadn't been sorted, but we were too tired, hungry and dirty to even care. We took the one double bed graciously. They were extremely hospitalitable and gave us two mattress-type things for the floor... we had a paper-rock-scissors compeititon for the bed and for who got to shower first - I got to shower first, but I had to sleep on the floor. It was alright with me.
We showered and became human again and headed out into the restaraunt. I decided I needed to have a beer because I knew how badly my body would hurt today. That's when I looked down and realized in the crazy climb I had lost half my toenail (big toe)... it is hanging on, but needs to be pulled off. I refuse to do it, it just needs time. It is throbbing and hurts but I can't bring myself to do it.
Just when I started to feel a little normal an attractive boy came over and we started to chat and ended up hanging out for awhile. He actually is here on a medical school research grant, and is staying in the area we are headed next weekend, so we will meet again (dun dun dunnnnnnn). It was nice to associate with a male that didn't want to marry me right off the bat for citizenship, or wasn't a volunteer/platonic male from the volunteer camp.
We awoke this morning, and I could barely move. I thought about how nice a hot shower would be, then I laughed. There is no such thing here. I took a cold shower and was happy to shower at all. We were going to stay another night in Hohoe, for the 8hour travel time we thought we should, but then we remembered everything is closed today as it is Sunday. We jumped on the next tro-tro to head back to Accra, which is where we are right now. We just ate and are quickly emailing family, etc, then back to the compound for another long week, and I need a rest period from this weekend. My body is in shambles from the hike, and all my stuff is filthy. Whine whine whine.
Anyways, I think I will sign off now, the 8 hour hike yesterday has sapped my energy and will continue to for probably the next couple days. My fingers hurt even hahaha.
At least on this trip I have illegally crossed into an additional two countries. Gotta love the static nature of African border crossings - the first was a river, the second a mountain (or 5).
I will update later in the week as to what I am doing. I will be teaching English starting tomorrow at the orphanage so that should be fun!
Hope all is well!!
Love Krystle
This weekend has been extremely packed.
Friday we headed from Ofaakor-Kasoa-Accra-Hohoe, which was quite a pain in the ass and made for a long day. We finally made it into Hohoe about 630PM which here is pitch black, and it was pouring rain. We were brilliant and didn't book a hotel room, and the first couple (decent) places we tried were booked up. We ended up at this blowout place called the Matvin that honestly looked like the Norman Bates psycho motel. It was bad. I was surprised to wake up alive it was that shabby.
Saturday morning we headed to Wli for the waterfall hike. The hotel we had booked there had another confusion and there was only one double room for the three of us (two men and I) which none of us were comfortable with, but we decided to drop our stuff off while they figured it out and head to the tourist station for the waterfall hike to enquire about times and such. We get there and he tells us we can go right away, we had only a little water and no food, but it was suppose to only take a few hours so we jumped on it. This hike was absolutely brutal. I have never in my life endured something as strenuous and physically trying. I had to stop numerous times, and wasn't feeling great to begin with - combined with a low blood sugar (small breakfast 2 hours previous) equalled a deadly combination. I was swaying and falling over on a steep cliff with nearly 100% incline. I ended up having an emotional breakdown, and told the boys and the guide to go on without me, I would catch up. They left and I sat there and cried for a little while, until I gathered the last of my willpower and energy and took it head on. I knew if I didn't I would regret it for the rest of my life. It was worth it... these falls were gorgeous. It was definately an emotional moment when I finally made it, alone. We met with another group and started to chat, and their guide was going to take them over another mountain into Togo, so we decided to go with. At this point it was about noon and we ate last at 730AM, and had been sweating and climbing the entire time. We were told the village in Togo we were going to had food so we pushed on through. We ended up in Togo in a little village after another crazy hike. We ate mangoes and bananas and some weird powdered mix out of dirty bowls and with our hands and filthy conditions nobody otherwise would have eaten, but we knew we wouldn't make it back if we didn't. 4PM rolled around and we were still in Togo, and we knew we had to go down these crazy mountains before dark so we put a move on it. Going down was as hard as going up, I rolled my ankles numerous times and my toes were hurting pretty badly smashed inside my wet hiking boots. We finally made it down just before dark, and I could've kissed the ground - had there not been other people around I would have.
We headed back to the hotel to find out the room hadn't been sorted, but we were too tired, hungry and dirty to even care. We took the one double bed graciously. They were extremely hospitalitable and gave us two mattress-type things for the floor... we had a paper-rock-scissors compeititon for the bed and for who got to shower first - I got to shower first, but I had to sleep on the floor. It was alright with me.
We showered and became human again and headed out into the restaraunt. I decided I needed to have a beer because I knew how badly my body would hurt today. That's when I looked down and realized in the crazy climb I had lost half my toenail (big toe)... it is hanging on, but needs to be pulled off. I refuse to do it, it just needs time. It is throbbing and hurts but I can't bring myself to do it.
Just when I started to feel a little normal an attractive boy came over and we started to chat and ended up hanging out for awhile. He actually is here on a medical school research grant, and is staying in the area we are headed next weekend, so we will meet again (dun dun dunnnnnnn). It was nice to associate with a male that didn't want to marry me right off the bat for citizenship, or wasn't a volunteer/platonic male from the volunteer camp.
We awoke this morning, and I could barely move. I thought about how nice a hot shower would be, then I laughed. There is no such thing here. I took a cold shower and was happy to shower at all. We were going to stay another night in Hohoe, for the 8hour travel time we thought we should, but then we remembered everything is closed today as it is Sunday. We jumped on the next tro-tro to head back to Accra, which is where we are right now. We just ate and are quickly emailing family, etc, then back to the compound for another long week, and I need a rest period from this weekend. My body is in shambles from the hike, and all my stuff is filthy. Whine whine whine.
Anyways, I think I will sign off now, the 8 hour hike yesterday has sapped my energy and will continue to for probably the next couple days. My fingers hurt even hahaha.
At least on this trip I have illegally crossed into an additional two countries. Gotta love the static nature of African border crossings - the first was a river, the second a mountain (or 5).
I will update later in the week as to what I am doing. I will be teaching English starting tomorrow at the orphanage so that should be fun!
Hope all is well!!
Love Krystle
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Blood pressure, dead babies, poop and sunburn - an average 2 days in Ghana
Soooo.... it has been an eventful start to my volunteer placement. Yesterday I started at the Margo maternity center in Jei-krodua (10 minutes or so from the compound). First thing I noticed was how much staff was present, and how everything seemed very efficient. They then taught us the workings of the clinic and soon enough we were weighing newborns and taking blood pressures, temperatures and weights. All the instruments were in shoddy condition and all very off... might as well have not done any of that as it was not accurate. After this (took about 2 hours) we sat around for the rest of the day, not doing anything....
Around lunch time a lady was dropped off at the clinic in labour, and by the time I had left for the day she was still in labour, with no baby in sight. I found out from another volunteer that shortly after I had left the baby was born with the cord wrapped around its neck, and died shortly after. It was really sad as the child was born alive, but due to the lack of proper equiptment and monitoring the child died. A totally preventable death in my eyes.
Last night I stopped at the orphange behind the hostel we live at, and enquired about spending the rest of my time there instead. The clinic is being run very effectively, and they do not need an extra pair of hands - if anything I am just in the way.
So today I started at the orphanage. The morning I spent with the creche kids (pre school aged) abour 25 of them, yelling, jumping and fighting. It was exhausting! Afterwards I was put on baby duty and was taking care of some infants, at which time I was pooped all over. And by poop i don't mean the solid brown stuff you are used to. This poop was bright yellow and liquid. Disgusting. The poor baby, I threw him at someone and ran to wash myself.
When I got back from cleaning myself I sat in a classroom and watched a couple of my fellow volunteers teach. I then helped some of the kids do their subtraction probelms, and I actually taught one girl how to do it properly. It was the shining moment of my day. One minute she didn't know what she was doing, the next she is accurately doing fairly hefty subtraction prroblems. From that point on I realized I was going to teach. Tomorrow that is what I will do.
I am really happy here now, after getting settled into the compound and finally getting into the swing of volunteering effectively, I am happy. I was out in the sun a long time today and didn't realize nor wear sunscreen so I am a little burnt. Not that bad, it just sounded cool in my title line.
This weekend we are heading up to Vlee falls in the Volta Region, which should be awesome!! Eveyrthing has fallen into place lovely and I have no complaints. I can't wait to shower as I am covered in food, poo, sweat and dirt (and a little polysporin for good measure) so I shall sign off now!
I hope all is well with everyone... I miss you all!
Comment on my posts so I know you are reading them! Love you all!
Krystle
Around lunch time a lady was dropped off at the clinic in labour, and by the time I had left for the day she was still in labour, with no baby in sight. I found out from another volunteer that shortly after I had left the baby was born with the cord wrapped around its neck, and died shortly after. It was really sad as the child was born alive, but due to the lack of proper equiptment and monitoring the child died. A totally preventable death in my eyes.
Last night I stopped at the orphange behind the hostel we live at, and enquired about spending the rest of my time there instead. The clinic is being run very effectively, and they do not need an extra pair of hands - if anything I am just in the way.
So today I started at the orphanage. The morning I spent with the creche kids (pre school aged) abour 25 of them, yelling, jumping and fighting. It was exhausting! Afterwards I was put on baby duty and was taking care of some infants, at which time I was pooped all over. And by poop i don't mean the solid brown stuff you are used to. This poop was bright yellow and liquid. Disgusting. The poor baby, I threw him at someone and ran to wash myself.
When I got back from cleaning myself I sat in a classroom and watched a couple of my fellow volunteers teach. I then helped some of the kids do their subtraction probelms, and I actually taught one girl how to do it properly. It was the shining moment of my day. One minute she didn't know what she was doing, the next she is accurately doing fairly hefty subtraction prroblems. From that point on I realized I was going to teach. Tomorrow that is what I will do.
I am really happy here now, after getting settled into the compound and finally getting into the swing of volunteering effectively, I am happy. I was out in the sun a long time today and didn't realize nor wear sunscreen so I am a little burnt. Not that bad, it just sounded cool in my title line.
This weekend we are heading up to Vlee falls in the Volta Region, which should be awesome!! Eveyrthing has fallen into place lovely and I have no complaints. I can't wait to shower as I am covered in food, poo, sweat and dirt (and a little polysporin for good measure) so I shall sign off now!
I hope all is well with everyone... I miss you all!
Comment on my posts so I know you are reading them! Love you all!
Krystle
Sunday, June 21, 2009
All booked :)
Hello all! and
After 5 hours of internet scouring, long distance calls, and the help of my Mom, my European travels seem to be becoming a reality as things are finally booked. I am booked in for Frankfurt July 7-9, Cologne July 9-12, Berlin July 12-17 and Munich July 17-20. I am super thrilled. I even have my rail pass booked, although I need it to be fedex to my first stop in Frankfurt, which makes me a little apprehensive, but oh well. I can't wait to get my hands on a travel guide to plan all my tourist junk, but that won't happen probably until I get there.
Currently, we are still in Accra, getting ready to ride the tro-tro back to Kasoa. The tro-tro is basically a giant van stuffed with people that drives at fast speeds and on a general route, much more inconvient than a taxi, but a lot cheaper. I am still feeling off, nothing is getting better. When I get back I am going to start some anti-biotics and see where that takes me. I don't want to go to the hospital, but it may be necessary in the near future if I can't kick this, whatever it is.
I am excited to actually start my volunteer project tomorrow, I can't wait to see what is thrown at me.
The rainy season is sure setting in miserably, it is raining currently and yesterday apparently some roads nearby were washed out and people were killed... the details are fuzzy. We are hoping to head up to the Volta Region (touristy sort of) next weekend to see the waterfalls, but if it is rainy it will be miserable, so I hope not.
I have had some really interesting conversations with some really interesting people here. The political situation, as much as they convey in the international media that the transfer of power back in December from the NPP to the NDC was peaceful and fairly voted, the more I hear the more it seems not to be the case. People aren't able to open talk about politics as they will be "missing" if they do - same with journalists that print unsavoury articles about those in power... some people even think that Rawlings will attempt another coup (he last did in 1981). It's interesting to get down into the community and actually converse this way with people.
Some of the best conversations I have had here have been with taxi drivers (not political conversations), their views and openness is refreshing.
All in all, there are a few annoyances, like walking down the street and being touched all the time and having prices grossly inflated because the color of my skin means I am "rich", but all that doesn't matter when you have a really great conversation, or play with the children who seem to be in awe of your presence.
I am basically rambling now, so I shall sign off and try to plan some other things to do whist in Europe!
Hope all is well with everyone!!!
Krystle
After 5 hours of internet scouring, long distance calls, and the help of my Mom, my European travels seem to be becoming a reality as things are finally booked. I am booked in for Frankfurt July 7-9, Cologne July 9-12, Berlin July 12-17 and Munich July 17-20. I am super thrilled. I even have my rail pass booked, although I need it to be fedex to my first stop in Frankfurt, which makes me a little apprehensive, but oh well. I can't wait to get my hands on a travel guide to plan all my tourist junk, but that won't happen probably until I get there.
Currently, we are still in Accra, getting ready to ride the tro-tro back to Kasoa. The tro-tro is basically a giant van stuffed with people that drives at fast speeds and on a general route, much more inconvient than a taxi, but a lot cheaper. I am still feeling off, nothing is getting better. When I get back I am going to start some anti-biotics and see where that takes me. I don't want to go to the hospital, but it may be necessary in the near future if I can't kick this, whatever it is.
I am excited to actually start my volunteer project tomorrow, I can't wait to see what is thrown at me.
The rainy season is sure setting in miserably, it is raining currently and yesterday apparently some roads nearby were washed out and people were killed... the details are fuzzy. We are hoping to head up to the Volta Region (touristy sort of) next weekend to see the waterfalls, but if it is rainy it will be miserable, so I hope not.
I have had some really interesting conversations with some really interesting people here. The political situation, as much as they convey in the international media that the transfer of power back in December from the NPP to the NDC was peaceful and fairly voted, the more I hear the more it seems not to be the case. People aren't able to open talk about politics as they will be "missing" if they do - same with journalists that print unsavoury articles about those in power... some people even think that Rawlings will attempt another coup (he last did in 1981). It's interesting to get down into the community and actually converse this way with people.
Some of the best conversations I have had here have been with taxi drivers (not political conversations), their views and openness is refreshing.
All in all, there are a few annoyances, like walking down the street and being touched all the time and having prices grossly inflated because the color of my skin means I am "rich", but all that doesn't matter when you have a really great conversation, or play with the children who seem to be in awe of your presence.
I am basically rambling now, so I shall sign off and try to plan some other things to do whist in Europe!
Hope all is well with everyone!!!
Krystle
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Still in Accra, Still Sick
Hello!
so "Western Weekend" is coming to a close, as divine as it was. Thursday I missed out on some touristy things and pretty much just rested in the hotel, as I am still pretty ill. Yesterday we went to Accra Mall, which is indoors and has a cinema, and is the closest thing to a western comfort as you can get. That explains the plethora of caucasians there. I saw more white people in that mall than I have seen in the rest of the country, combined. It was a good day, we watched Terminator Salvation (which was freakin awesome) and just wandered the mall a bit. We ate sundaes, pizza, coffee, chips, french fries, chicken burgers, chocolate and popcorn - so it is no wonder my stomach is still upset. I am a little curious as to the illness I have... it is definately hanging on, although it is definately not malaria (I am lacking the fever) but it has started an acid reflux type thing, I have never been one for heartburn but I have it quite often these last couple days (since I got sick).
I have searched all of Accra for a travel guide to Germany, to no avail. All day yesterday and so far today I have scoured, and apparently things like that do not exist here, so I am relying on this crap internet to get me some reservations **fingers crossed**.
I am so sick of internet cafes, it seems like that is all I do, and they are stock full of loud young men drenched in cologne singing all the time. It is bloody annoying. It's a good thing my travel companions are two men, or else I think I would have a little harder of a time, with all the unwanted attention I have been getting. People look at me and see a better life for themselves so they are pretty aggresive.
The boys went to the market, which I cannot handle right now with this sickness, so I am here at the internet cafe trying to plan out some semblance of a trip to Germany.
Anyways, I should get going and get on that, so I will write later. I have no exciting news going on, the last little bit has been dreary and uneventful - boring even. Obama is coming here July 10 and it is this huge thing, everyone is talking about it, but I leave the 6th so I don't care hahaha.
Alright, talk to you all soon!
Love Krystle
so "Western Weekend" is coming to a close, as divine as it was. Thursday I missed out on some touristy things and pretty much just rested in the hotel, as I am still pretty ill. Yesterday we went to Accra Mall, which is indoors and has a cinema, and is the closest thing to a western comfort as you can get. That explains the plethora of caucasians there. I saw more white people in that mall than I have seen in the rest of the country, combined. It was a good day, we watched Terminator Salvation (which was freakin awesome) and just wandered the mall a bit. We ate sundaes, pizza, coffee, chips, french fries, chicken burgers, chocolate and popcorn - so it is no wonder my stomach is still upset. I am a little curious as to the illness I have... it is definately hanging on, although it is definately not malaria (I am lacking the fever) but it has started an acid reflux type thing, I have never been one for heartburn but I have it quite often these last couple days (since I got sick).
I have searched all of Accra for a travel guide to Germany, to no avail. All day yesterday and so far today I have scoured, and apparently things like that do not exist here, so I am relying on this crap internet to get me some reservations **fingers crossed**.
I am so sick of internet cafes, it seems like that is all I do, and they are stock full of loud young men drenched in cologne singing all the time. It is bloody annoying. It's a good thing my travel companions are two men, or else I think I would have a little harder of a time, with all the unwanted attention I have been getting. People look at me and see a better life for themselves so they are pretty aggresive.
The boys went to the market, which I cannot handle right now with this sickness, so I am here at the internet cafe trying to plan out some semblance of a trip to Germany.
Anyways, I should get going and get on that, so I will write later. I have no exciting news going on, the last little bit has been dreary and uneventful - boring even. Obama is coming here July 10 and it is this huge thing, everyone is talking about it, but I leave the 6th so I don't care hahaha.
Alright, talk to you all soon!
Love Krystle
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Just another day in Kasoa
So I spent all night last night writhing in agony and convinced I had malaria or a parasite. I am a bit better today but still pretty ill and spent the day in bed, and if am not better this weekend will seek help in Accra. We are still in our language and culture week, but I missed out on language lessons today as I was dying. Feeling a little homesick, as I do anytime I am ill and away from home. Am waiting for my enrollment time for registration then back to bed.
We just came from a different internet cafe, in which I was surrounded by young men on dating sites. No big deal I thought, until I saw the dirty messages between them and white men, in which they were claiming to be black women. I was so disgusted we left.
Tomorrow we head into Accra for some more museums and such, hopefully I am feeling better. It's a good thing Amanda gave me protein and soy bars before she went to Kenya, otherwise I would have wilted away to nothing. It will be interesting to start my actual volunteering Monday... I can't wait to help deliver a baby... that would be wonderful...disgusting but wonderful.
nothing much to report, been bed ridden all day... don't worry I will be fine. I get a little baby-like when sick.
Hope to talk to you all soon! Miss you!
Krystle
We just came from a different internet cafe, in which I was surrounded by young men on dating sites. No big deal I thought, until I saw the dirty messages between them and white men, in which they were claiming to be black women. I was so disgusted we left.
Tomorrow we head into Accra for some more museums and such, hopefully I am feeling better. It's a good thing Amanda gave me protein and soy bars before she went to Kenya, otherwise I would have wilted away to nothing. It will be interesting to start my actual volunteering Monday... I can't wait to help deliver a baby... that would be wonderful...disgusting but wonderful.
nothing much to report, been bed ridden all day... don't worry I will be fine. I get a little baby-like when sick.
Hope to talk to you all soon! Miss you!
Krystle
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Offankor - Kasoa; Day 2
Hello!
So I was shuttled to my volunteer position yesterday afternoon, met at the hotel in Accra by the coordinator and a car full of sickly infants, none strapped into a seat belt let alone a car seat. The whole ride took about an hour, and immediately upon entering the taxi I was thrust an infant to care for. Totally weird and kind of uncomfortable, but this baby was adorable. We get to our placement to find out they thought of myself and the classmate I am with (male) were a couple, and had given us a single room with a double bed to share. We weren't comfortable with that so asked for another bed to be moved in, which happened. The evening was uneventful, boring even, and we retired early to bed. Around 11:30PM there is a racket outside our door, banging and yelling and some girl telling us to get out of her room. We yell back this isn't her room, and have no idea what she is talking about... she keeps going on and on so Adam goes out to talk to her, because at this point I am raging and it wouldn't have ended well had I gone out there. She had apparently been in this room and went on a weekend trip, only to return to find us there and her stuff gone. There was no stuff in the room when we got there, so we had no idea what she was talking about. We end up falling asleep for the night, not restfully though because we still didn't know what was going on.
This morning we took some Twi lessons and learnt a little of how to deal in the market (although we have been in them for over a month now). The afternoon was ours for the taking and wandered with another of the volunteers.
As it turns out they tried to contact this girl and tell her her stuff had been moved into another room because they thought we were a couple so wanted to give us the double room. There was a big fiasco about it all day, but I avoided it as it really had nothing to do with me.
The volunteer project I signed up for (HIV/AIDS counselling and awareness) appraently isn't established at all, and they just throw you into the clinic and you get started doing things you would technically need medical certification for. I am stoked, because I really wanted to work in the clinic doing clinic duties, but was informed by the head office (US based) that I needed certification, but SURPRISE the rules don't fly in Ghana. We start that this Monday after our week-long "culture and language" training.
We are taking a long weekend this weekend and having a "Western weekend" where we will find the only indoor shopping area in Accra and a cinema and eat all Western type foods, lay in hotels and watch movies. I am stoked. I am even going to try desperately to find a place to give me a mani/pedi. I am really excited.
I have decided I am leaving Ghana July 6 for Frankfurt. I have changed my flights through my travel agent, and am still planning on returning end of July, after two weeks exploring all Germany has to offer. I figure I might as well since I am flying through there anyways, and am getting a little stir crazy in Ghana. Nearly 5 weeks here, and I feel I have seen all there is to see, as we basically have. Next weekend it is heading to the Volta Region to look at the waterfalls and then thats it, we have hit all regions. I love the country and the people, but I need to see more of the world!
Anyways, I have only 5 minutes left before my time runs out, but will be back on tomorrow to register for classes (hopefully it works out ok) so I will share more then!!!
Love you alll!
Krystle
So I was shuttled to my volunteer position yesterday afternoon, met at the hotel in Accra by the coordinator and a car full of sickly infants, none strapped into a seat belt let alone a car seat. The whole ride took about an hour, and immediately upon entering the taxi I was thrust an infant to care for. Totally weird and kind of uncomfortable, but this baby was adorable. We get to our placement to find out they thought of myself and the classmate I am with (male) were a couple, and had given us a single room with a double bed to share. We weren't comfortable with that so asked for another bed to be moved in, which happened. The evening was uneventful, boring even, and we retired early to bed. Around 11:30PM there is a racket outside our door, banging and yelling and some girl telling us to get out of her room. We yell back this isn't her room, and have no idea what she is talking about... she keeps going on and on so Adam goes out to talk to her, because at this point I am raging and it wouldn't have ended well had I gone out there. She had apparently been in this room and went on a weekend trip, only to return to find us there and her stuff gone. There was no stuff in the room when we got there, so we had no idea what she was talking about. We end up falling asleep for the night, not restfully though because we still didn't know what was going on.
This morning we took some Twi lessons and learnt a little of how to deal in the market (although we have been in them for over a month now). The afternoon was ours for the taking and wandered with another of the volunteers.
As it turns out they tried to contact this girl and tell her her stuff had been moved into another room because they thought we were a couple so wanted to give us the double room. There was a big fiasco about it all day, but I avoided it as it really had nothing to do with me.
The volunteer project I signed up for (HIV/AIDS counselling and awareness) appraently isn't established at all, and they just throw you into the clinic and you get started doing things you would technically need medical certification for. I am stoked, because I really wanted to work in the clinic doing clinic duties, but was informed by the head office (US based) that I needed certification, but SURPRISE the rules don't fly in Ghana. We start that this Monday after our week-long "culture and language" training.
We are taking a long weekend this weekend and having a "Western weekend" where we will find the only indoor shopping area in Accra and a cinema and eat all Western type foods, lay in hotels and watch movies. I am stoked. I am even going to try desperately to find a place to give me a mani/pedi. I am really excited.
I have decided I am leaving Ghana July 6 for Frankfurt. I have changed my flights through my travel agent, and am still planning on returning end of July, after two weeks exploring all Germany has to offer. I figure I might as well since I am flying through there anyways, and am getting a little stir crazy in Ghana. Nearly 5 weeks here, and I feel I have seen all there is to see, as we basically have. Next weekend it is heading to the Volta Region to look at the waterfalls and then thats it, we have hit all regions. I love the country and the people, but I need to see more of the world!
Anyways, I have only 5 minutes left before my time runs out, but will be back on tomorrow to register for classes (hopefully it works out ok) so I will share more then!!!
Love you alll!
Krystle
Monday, June 15, 2009
Starting volunteer placement today!
Hello again!
So everyone left yesterday, and I found it a very difficult goodbye, which surprised me as I don't tend to get too attached to people quickly. They left around 3:30PM (Ghana time) and I chilled in my room alone for awhile, just relishing in the alone-ness. There are 3 others remaining in Ghana, one who will be volunteering with me, the other two travelling a little. We all went for dinner last night, and then I bid farewell to the two I won't be seeing everyday. Spent the night wrapped up in bed and watching weird movies that made little sense. There is a channel called Africa Magic that plays the most terrible African soap operas, but they are sooooooooo addicting. I watched that for a long time and went to bed. I was suppose to head to a beach party with some new friends, but I was too tired to go. Probably a good idea as there has been a little too much partying the last couple days.
Now onto the volunteering... we are suppose to be getting picked up (actually 45 mins ago) and now not for a couple more hours. Ghana time means it will probably be evening by the time they come, and its about 0945 right now. I am really excited to see what this placement will be like, but a little worried at the same time to head back into malaria net zone, as right now I am in the city and don't have to use my mosquitoe net. I cannot stress enough how horrible these nets are, they stifle you and are a pain in the butt to keep tucked in; but it's better than contracting malaria.
I have decided that Germany is a definite yes for me. I am not sure when I am leaving Ghana, probably early as my visa issue never sorted itself out and will spend a week and a half, two weeks exploring Germany and maybe a neighboring country, we'll see where things take me. I am trying this whole "not plan every little part of life" thing, maybe it will lower my blood pressure haha.
Anyways, not much interesting to say as I have cooped myself up for the last 24 hours with air conditioning blasting (needed to sleep in a hoodie last night).
Hopefully there will be internet access close to my placement; talk to you soon!
Krystle
So everyone left yesterday, and I found it a very difficult goodbye, which surprised me as I don't tend to get too attached to people quickly. They left around 3:30PM (Ghana time) and I chilled in my room alone for awhile, just relishing in the alone-ness. There are 3 others remaining in Ghana, one who will be volunteering with me, the other two travelling a little. We all went for dinner last night, and then I bid farewell to the two I won't be seeing everyday. Spent the night wrapped up in bed and watching weird movies that made little sense. There is a channel called Africa Magic that plays the most terrible African soap operas, but they are sooooooooo addicting. I watched that for a long time and went to bed. I was suppose to head to a beach party with some new friends, but I was too tired to go. Probably a good idea as there has been a little too much partying the last couple days.
Now onto the volunteering... we are suppose to be getting picked up (actually 45 mins ago) and now not for a couple more hours. Ghana time means it will probably be evening by the time they come, and its about 0945 right now. I am really excited to see what this placement will be like, but a little worried at the same time to head back into malaria net zone, as right now I am in the city and don't have to use my mosquitoe net. I cannot stress enough how horrible these nets are, they stifle you and are a pain in the butt to keep tucked in; but it's better than contracting malaria.
I have decided that Germany is a definite yes for me. I am not sure when I am leaving Ghana, probably early as my visa issue never sorted itself out and will spend a week and a half, two weeks exploring Germany and maybe a neighboring country, we'll see where things take me. I am trying this whole "not plan every little part of life" thing, maybe it will lower my blood pressure haha.
Anyways, not much interesting to say as I have cooped myself up for the last 24 hours with air conditioning blasting (needed to sleep in a hoodie last night).
Hopefully there will be internet access close to my placement; talk to you soon!
Krystle
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Everyone departing...
So today is the day. The rest of the group is leaving and heading to their various destinations around the world, and I will be missing them all terribly. We celebrated the end of our journey last night and everyone partied. I drank too much and had dance competitions with the locations and ended up stepping on some glass and cleansing it with Apeteshe, which is the super brutal alcohol here. I woke up this morning and was highly confused as to how I got into bed. Good way to end the trip as we all danced and laughed and had a good time. I am still trying to plan out my next little while with things and am starting my volunteer placement tomorrow morning. I have learnt so much here and am excited for what this next little bit will bring (hopefully not malaria). I am not sure how much internet access I will have for the next little bit but I will definately be on Wednesday evening as I need to register for classes.
It will definately be nice to not do things in a huge group and have to wait for everyone all the time, but I will definately miss everyone.
I will write again soon as I have nothing interesting to say right now.
It will definately be nice to not do things in a huge group and have to wait for everyone all the time, but I will definately miss everyone.
I will write again soon as I have nothing interesting to say right now.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Back in Accra
HELLO!
So I am now back in Accra, on the last leg of our field study. The group leaves tomorrow, but I will be remaining in Ghana for awhile (not sure how long because I have decided I am now going to Europe as well). It has been quite a ride. I have made some really great friendships on this adventure, and learned a lot about myself in the meantime. I have gotten dirty and filthy and have learnt a little patience.
We just came from Adjeikrom, which is an eco-tourism site on cocoa growth. It was a neat little place, definately not my favorite though. There were these invisible bugs that would bite the hell out of you, and no amount of repellent would wane their appetite for North AMerican blood. They would show up and bother the hell out of you from nowhere. I woke up each morning with 8 million bites and rashes and am happy to have left there. There were some moments of happiness there though... like working on my 42 page research paper and throwing up in the mornings because of the horrible night. BUT I LOVED EVERY MINUTE!
We actually got a little freedom last night, so a group of us took a taxi around Accra to go for food and it was quite an ordeal, but fun at the same time. And then back at the hotel, a small group of us decided to finish our papers (due today) over some drinks. BAD IDEA. We ended up getting fairly intoxicated on the terrace and didn't touch our papers. We have been in bed every night before 10 this trip (super exhausting in the days) but we were up drinking until 3 so it was a switch.
The heat is not as intense back in the south as compared with the north. It's heading into the rainy season, so it's alot cooler. We met with a group of university students from the University of Ghana for a couple days and basically just hung out in a relaxed atsmosphere, which was totally rad.
There is so much for me to say, but so little time. I think after the group leaves tomorrow I will come back to write more, so we can head now to the arts market.
Love the Obruni Krystle
Obruni=white person
So I am now back in Accra, on the last leg of our field study. The group leaves tomorrow, but I will be remaining in Ghana for awhile (not sure how long because I have decided I am now going to Europe as well). It has been quite a ride. I have made some really great friendships on this adventure, and learned a lot about myself in the meantime. I have gotten dirty and filthy and have learnt a little patience.
We just came from Adjeikrom, which is an eco-tourism site on cocoa growth. It was a neat little place, definately not my favorite though. There were these invisible bugs that would bite the hell out of you, and no amount of repellent would wane their appetite for North AMerican blood. They would show up and bother the hell out of you from nowhere. I woke up each morning with 8 million bites and rashes and am happy to have left there. There were some moments of happiness there though... like working on my 42 page research paper and throwing up in the mornings because of the horrible night. BUT I LOVED EVERY MINUTE!
We actually got a little freedom last night, so a group of us took a taxi around Accra to go for food and it was quite an ordeal, but fun at the same time. And then back at the hotel, a small group of us decided to finish our papers (due today) over some drinks. BAD IDEA. We ended up getting fairly intoxicated on the terrace and didn't touch our papers. We have been in bed every night before 10 this trip (super exhausting in the days) but we were up drinking until 3 so it was a switch.
The heat is not as intense back in the south as compared with the north. It's heading into the rainy season, so it's alot cooler. We met with a group of university students from the University of Ghana for a couple days and basically just hung out in a relaxed atsmosphere, which was totally rad.
There is so much for me to say, but so little time. I think after the group leaves tomorrow I will come back to write more, so we can head now to the arts market.
Love the Obruni Krystle
Obruni=white person
Friday, June 5, 2009
Wa
Hello! It is so nice to be able to write and let you all know what I have been up to... these last couple of days have been absolutely amazing. We went from Mole National Park to Wechiau, which I expected to be horrendous. We did have a heck of a time getting used to the heat, which in the peak daytime hours ran about 38 degrees Celsius, but I feel used to it by now. I am no longer sick and am happier than ever. Wechiau community hippo sanctuary is within a community called Talewona which is gorgeous. We stayed in a traditional style lodge, which was too hot to sleep in, so we all put our mosquitoe nets on the roof and slept on the roof under the stars. It was gorgeous. There was absolutely no power, plumbing or luxury of any sort, which was fantastic! You would be covered in sweat 2 minutes after your bucket shower outdoors and that was that. I honestly nearly cried today to be leaving, I learnt so much and hope to come back to this area before I leave the country. The North is much more conservative and predominantly muslim, and the people are friendlier than anywhere I have ever been before. We went to an elementary school the other day and handed out prizes to the top three students in each level, and I got to present, which I will hold dear for the rest of my life. These children were the sunshine of my entire trip thus far... each morning I would go for a walk about 0645 and would be greeted on the road by a group of children (different group each day) who would walk with me for awhile. I learnt a lot from the people in this area, and I hope I have helped them to learn a little about me. I almost feel like crying I had such an emotional attachment to this place, 6 nights and 6 days that I thought would be a lifetime actually went by in a blur and I wish I could be back. The North is much different here... nobody snaps their head around to watch you walk by because you're white, they grett you (and everyone else) and that is it. In the larger cities there is a completly different vibe, and I much prefer the village life and the people. I have fallen in love with this country and I can't wait to see more of it. I have met people that will stick in my memory forever. On June 1 we boated the Black Volta river (bordering Ghana and Burkina Fasoand observed the hippos in their natural habitat, and then illegally crossed into Burkina Faso for a little walk. It was super fun... my first experience as an illegal alien! That same night three other girls and I got to spend the night at the hippo hide, which is basically a platform in a tree by the hippo location. We listened to them make noise all night underneath us amnd watched them a bit in the morning before heading back to camp. The heat stress index (combined humidity and heat reading) showed that one day it was 68 degrees Celsius, and that day we spent 4 hours hiking about. I love it here. I am getting a sweet tan and learning a lot in the process. We only have 9 days left on the field study, and tomorrow we are heading back to Kumasi and after that Adjiekrom to study the cocoa plantation. We started our research project at Wechiau and my group is studying the medicinal/traditional uses of a plant called Annona senegalensis, which the locals have been using as a repellent. We did a bunch of testing on a species of the order Hemiptera (heteroptera) to see their reaction. So far the results look good, but until the data is analyzed is still inconclusive. I am having a great time and am super thankful to have been blessed with this experience. I better sign off now as this connection is brutally slow and I have no idea if I will be able to save this in the 31 minutes I have left.
I will try to write as soon as possible!! I need to get more credit on my phone and I will try to call a few of you, but it is very expensive sop I will see.
Love you all, hope everything is well!
ps. Mom, Kat says she remembers you, she was a nursing aide in emerg 3 years ago and is now on 53, she described you and everything and said you were the best nurse there and had the best personality and she wanted to only work alongside you as everyone else didn't compare. I am not even lying.
Much love from West Africa!!!
Krystle
I will try to write as soon as possible!! I need to get more credit on my phone and I will try to call a few of you, but it is very expensive sop I will see.
Love you all, hope everything is well!
ps. Mom, Kat says she remembers you, she was a nursing aide in emerg 3 years ago and is now on 53, she described you and everything and said you were the best nurse there and had the best personality and she wanted to only work alongside you as everyone else didn't compare. I am not even lying.
Much love from West Africa!!!
Krystle
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Mole National Park
Grrrr I just spent 20 minutes writing a giant post which was deleted as my computer decided to shut down after loading forever. Typical African connection.
So since my last post we have explored Kumasi a little bit, which is quite a lovely place. We went to the Ashanti Palace which has been transformed into a museum, and it was so neat to see as I have learnt quite a bit about the Ashanti's in previous courses. We basically lazed around a little and tried to get laundry done, which was another fiasco in itself. Luckily none of my things were "lost" but some of the others were missing things. I think from now on I will do my own laundry.
I am now in Mole National Park in Ghana in the upper northern region of the country in more of a guinea savanna climate than the rainforest climate we have been in. It is basically a gaming reserve, so we have actually been able to see some vertebrates and pay attention to things other than insects so it has been a nice change of pace. I am quite surprised there is internet up here, as I cannot even get phone reception (with Vodafone, one of the local carriers). It is slow internet and hasn't been working at all, but at least I am on now!
We arrived here May 28 after a horrendous 9 hours of driving on roads that I don't think were roads at all. They were like a dried up riverbed, with mounds and huge crevices and even swamps everywhere, equalling a very carsick Krystle. When I wasn't too nauceous to open my eyes I was nearly crying with fear. Our driver is a man who is not afraid of anything apparently, but then again he drives just the same as the other Ghanaians on the road. Once we arrived here from Kumasi I nearly kissed the ground out of joy to still be alive. The drive did have its magical moments as we drove through tiny villages and children were delighted to see us. It was the most precious thing... every child we drove by would wave frantically, light up, and smile like no tomorrow. Even the hardest of hearts would have been melted by that.
We took the night off after arrival to get settled into our rooms, which were something else entirely. Two other girls and myself were placed together, and headed for our room. We were greeted by a slew of dead cockraoches, no AC and a room that looked as though it had been boarded off for years. We were frightened. Then we found out there was a mistake and were moved, thinking we would be in a decent room. Wrong. We were placed in a room smalled than the first, also with no AC, and a broken toilet. We had no cockroaches, but also no toilet, so it made for an interesting night when everyone had digestive upsets and the nearest washroom was a good few minutes walk away. There were giant beetles, winged termites, warthogs and about a million other insects around, and we were all exhausted. This was the first time I felt I was going to crack. Instead I gathered myself together and tried to make the best of it. Miraculously I slept fine and had a nice bucket shower in the morning.
Yesterday we set off for a morning safari/tour, which was walking. It was really interesting and exciting to see vertebrates ane be able to focus on something other than insects. We walked for about 2 hours (0700-0900) and saw babboons (also everywhere, including people's rooms), warthogs (same scenario as the babboons), forest elephants (which was pretty cool), cob (antelope) other monkeys (Pattis monkey and what I think was a Mona moneky, also a lemur I believe) and of course more interesting insects. After the walk we had free time!!! Actual time to ourselves was glorious. I finished an assignment that I handed in and took a swim in the pool, which was actually quite disgusting and filled with who knows what but really refreshing.
Then in the afternoon our luck changed. They informed us we were moving rooms, and moved across the compound to some rooms with AC and a TV (Ghanaian soap operas are wonderful haha) and was clean-ish. I was so happy I danced and sang and threw my arms up in the air.
With all the excitement of the day I forgot to put sunscreen on my back, and have now found myself with a sunburn. It is not too bad, but is fairly uncomfortable. I am going to have to watch it and make sure to not burn on top of a burn.
At 1600 we had a lecture on sampling populations (overlooking the watering hole and watching some migrating water buffalo) and then at 1730 we had dinner. We have been heading out at night spotlighting (looking for eyeshine) so we did that again last night, and saw a huge grey spotted owl, the largest owl I have ever seen. It was fantastic.
Amanda and I headed to bed, watched some soaps and fell asleep. We slept in this morning and it was pretty awesome. We are getting ready to head to Wechiau today, which apparently is another 3 hours drive, but I think it will end up taking 6 or so. It's pretty interesting asking your prof to stop the van so you can pee in the bushes. Definately not something I have done before.
All in all it has been a great time so far. There is starting to be a little bickering, but nothing serious and I ampretty surprised that 14 students can get along this well. I am finding that my patience level is growing, as to write this has taken me nearly an hour with connection speed and other probelms. I am bitten by many things all over, and am itchy all the time. I am sick and sunburnt but I feel exhilirated and excited for what is to come.
I think I will sign off now and will try to post another blog after Wechiau, which will probably be in about a week. I am looking forward to canoeing on the black volta river and seeing the hippos in their natural habitat, and hopefully not being eaten or forced to swim because they bit my canoe in half (has been done in previous years). We apparently sleep on the roof or the hippo deck as it is too hot inside to sleep, but how we will set up our nets will be interesting. I am open to try anything, so sleeping on the roof doesn't scare me. I might have something different to say about it in my next blog, but as of right now I am excited for everything that will come in a place like Wechiau.
I am thinking of cutting my volunteering a week short as my VISA was not processed properly and I really don't want to risk being in the country illegally, so I think I will have it changed. I will probably spend the week in Germany as that is where my flight stops over, I may stay for a week or two and head around the country and end up in Dachau to see the concentration camps... who knows where I will end up, I am still thinking about it. ANyways, I will let you all know when I know.
All in all I am learning lots, enjoying myself, and making friends along the way. What could be better?
So since my last post we have explored Kumasi a little bit, which is quite a lovely place. We went to the Ashanti Palace which has been transformed into a museum, and it was so neat to see as I have learnt quite a bit about the Ashanti's in previous courses. We basically lazed around a little and tried to get laundry done, which was another fiasco in itself. Luckily none of my things were "lost" but some of the others were missing things. I think from now on I will do my own laundry.
I am now in Mole National Park in Ghana in the upper northern region of the country in more of a guinea savanna climate than the rainforest climate we have been in. It is basically a gaming reserve, so we have actually been able to see some vertebrates and pay attention to things other than insects so it has been a nice change of pace. I am quite surprised there is internet up here, as I cannot even get phone reception (with Vodafone, one of the local carriers). It is slow internet and hasn't been working at all, but at least I am on now!
We arrived here May 28 after a horrendous 9 hours of driving on roads that I don't think were roads at all. They were like a dried up riverbed, with mounds and huge crevices and even swamps everywhere, equalling a very carsick Krystle. When I wasn't too nauceous to open my eyes I was nearly crying with fear. Our driver is a man who is not afraid of anything apparently, but then again he drives just the same as the other Ghanaians on the road. Once we arrived here from Kumasi I nearly kissed the ground out of joy to still be alive. The drive did have its magical moments as we drove through tiny villages and children were delighted to see us. It was the most precious thing... every child we drove by would wave frantically, light up, and smile like no tomorrow. Even the hardest of hearts would have been melted by that.
We took the night off after arrival to get settled into our rooms, which were something else entirely. Two other girls and myself were placed together, and headed for our room. We were greeted by a slew of dead cockraoches, no AC and a room that looked as though it had been boarded off for years. We were frightened. Then we found out there was a mistake and were moved, thinking we would be in a decent room. Wrong. We were placed in a room smalled than the first, also with no AC, and a broken toilet. We had no cockroaches, but also no toilet, so it made for an interesting night when everyone had digestive upsets and the nearest washroom was a good few minutes walk away. There were giant beetles, winged termites, warthogs and about a million other insects around, and we were all exhausted. This was the first time I felt I was going to crack. Instead I gathered myself together and tried to make the best of it. Miraculously I slept fine and had a nice bucket shower in the morning.
Yesterday we set off for a morning safari/tour, which was walking. It was really interesting and exciting to see vertebrates ane be able to focus on something other than insects. We walked for about 2 hours (0700-0900) and saw babboons (also everywhere, including people's rooms), warthogs (same scenario as the babboons), forest elephants (which was pretty cool), cob (antelope) other monkeys (Pattis monkey and what I think was a Mona moneky, also a lemur I believe) and of course more interesting insects. After the walk we had free time!!! Actual time to ourselves was glorious. I finished an assignment that I handed in and took a swim in the pool, which was actually quite disgusting and filled with who knows what but really refreshing.
Then in the afternoon our luck changed. They informed us we were moving rooms, and moved across the compound to some rooms with AC and a TV (Ghanaian soap operas are wonderful haha) and was clean-ish. I was so happy I danced and sang and threw my arms up in the air.
With all the excitement of the day I forgot to put sunscreen on my back, and have now found myself with a sunburn. It is not too bad, but is fairly uncomfortable. I am going to have to watch it and make sure to not burn on top of a burn.
At 1600 we had a lecture on sampling populations (overlooking the watering hole and watching some migrating water buffalo) and then at 1730 we had dinner. We have been heading out at night spotlighting (looking for eyeshine) so we did that again last night, and saw a huge grey spotted owl, the largest owl I have ever seen. It was fantastic.
Amanda and I headed to bed, watched some soaps and fell asleep. We slept in this morning and it was pretty awesome. We are getting ready to head to Wechiau today, which apparently is another 3 hours drive, but I think it will end up taking 6 or so. It's pretty interesting asking your prof to stop the van so you can pee in the bushes. Definately not something I have done before.
All in all it has been a great time so far. There is starting to be a little bickering, but nothing serious and I ampretty surprised that 14 students can get along this well. I am finding that my patience level is growing, as to write this has taken me nearly an hour with connection speed and other probelms. I am bitten by many things all over, and am itchy all the time. I am sick and sunburnt but I feel exhilirated and excited for what is to come.
I think I will sign off now and will try to post another blog after Wechiau, which will probably be in about a week. I am looking forward to canoeing on the black volta river and seeing the hippos in their natural habitat, and hopefully not being eaten or forced to swim because they bit my canoe in half (has been done in previous years). We apparently sleep on the roof or the hippo deck as it is too hot inside to sleep, but how we will set up our nets will be interesting. I am open to try anything, so sleeping on the roof doesn't scare me. I might have something different to say about it in my next blog, but as of right now I am excited for everything that will come in a place like Wechiau.
I am thinking of cutting my volunteering a week short as my VISA was not processed properly and I really don't want to risk being in the country illegally, so I think I will have it changed. I will probably spend the week in Germany as that is where my flight stops over, I may stay for a week or two and head around the country and end up in Dachau to see the concentration camps... who knows where I will end up, I am still thinking about it. ANyways, I will let you all know when I know.
All in all I am learning lots, enjoying myself, and making friends along the way. What could be better?
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Still alive...
Hello everyone!
Sorry I haven't been writing, but this is the first time I have had internet access since the last post.. we have been traipsing through the Ghanaian rain forest!
My time here so far has been amazing. I am starting to aclimatize a little better and the heat isn't bothering me too much, but my ankles are still a little swollen. I seem to have ballooned out upon arrival, probably with water retention. The temperature usually hovers around 30-35 degrees Celsius, but with 90-100% humidity the heat stress index (what the temp actually feels like) is about 45 degrees. It makes me so drowsy after meals that it's hard to stay awake!
So... where to start with my adventures thus far...
we spent the first two nights in the capital city Accra and then headed for Cape Coast and visited Elmina Castle, built in 1482 by the Portuguese for "trading" but eventually became a huge slave trade hub, with more than 60million people passing through its doors in the centuries it was up and running. That was a really big thing for me, I have wanted to see something like this for a long long time, and it was a great experience. I had to stray from the group a bit for that one, as I really felt that I could cry at any moment. The floors have a stench so real and so saddening you can't help but think at least 1000 people died in the spot you are standing at that very moment.
We stayed in Cape Coast in a place called Hans Cottage Botel, which was like a hotel with a restaurant in a swamp type thing and alligators roaming free on the premises. The room was ok, but they decided to cut the AC at midnight so you would wake up sweaty and grumpy. The crocs were pretty cool though.
The next day we went to Kakum National Park and did the canopy walk, 40m in the air on little flimsy bridge between trees in the rainforest. It was awesome!!! The same day we went and saw a stingless bee operation and research center and actually tasted the honey right from the hive! We then went to see a monkey rehabilitation type place where a lady would take in animals that were going to be killed to eat and the likes.
The next day we headed to Ankasa Exploration Base, which is nearly on the border with Cote d'Ivoire in the heart of the rainforest. It was intense there with huge bugs and humidity like you wouldn't believe. My paper was disentegrating while there because nothing would dry. Ever. We spent a couple days setting up traps and doing night walks trying to find interesting things, and boy did we ever. If this internet connection didn't take nearly 30mins to connect to this site I would upload some pictures of the giant millipedes and spiders we saw. During a trek I also saw a monkey in the trees! He seemed agitated by us and took off pretty quickly but it was definately a cool experience to see a monkey in the rainforest in its natural habitat. The setting up of mosquito nets was aggravating and sleeping was tough at first, but became lovely after the first night. Because the little bunkers we stayed in were nearly nonexistent and were practically not enclosed, we heard the sounds of the rainforest all night, which was beautiful and I have never felt as hypnotized as I had there. There is so much description I wish to share, but so little time. We stayed in Ankasa for 3 nights and 3 days and yesterday we travelled up to Kumasi, the heart of the Ashanti kingdom. We got in late last night so didn't see much except the horrible roads! My goodness I will never complain about the lack of maintenance on Calgary streets ever again! We were flying at a rate of nearly 100km/hr and swerving around potholes (as was everyone else on the road). The potholes were often bigger than the remaining road itself, so a 4 hour trip took us nearly 8 hours. Today we are going to a market and to the Ashanti museum which will be supr interesting, but I am not feeling too great so we will see how that goes.
Nearly everyone in our group has been ill thus far, and I just got hit with it the night before last. I have also been eaten nearly alive by insects and am itching nonstop. All in all I love it and am excited for what is to come.
We are heading tomorrow to Mole National Park for a couple of days and then off to the Wechiau hippo sanctuary for about 5 days, where we will be designing and conducting our own research experiment. Should be interesting except it is apparently like 45 degrees there, and is a lot drier as it is in the far North of the country.
I have learnt so much already, and have been testing myself everyday. I have never been one for group travel and the like, but I am doing my best to make it work. Nobody is fighting yet so that is good... the irritations are flaring a little but nothing serious. I am also trying to get over my fear of insects, particularly in Ankasa - I ended up sharing my bucket shower with 3 large suckers that provided a coordinated attack on me from all corners.
Life is so different here, and in so many ways it is better. I honestly think all people could learn serious lessons from others that live so differently it is sometimes uncomfortable.... I am pretty sure my blood pressure is down as the Ghanaian way is to sit and chill and not worry about things, so I am trying my best to leave my uppity type A personality in the room at the start of the day.
I have been trying to get up early and just sit and observe whats going on around me; in Ankasa I would be up by 6, have my bucket shower and dress, and sit on the deck for an hour or so, just listening to the noises and things going on around me. I can't believe we are destroying a place as magical as the rainforest at such a rapid rate.... it is making me sick to think that my children may never get the opportunity to see such a place.
In Ankasa we got to observe the rainforest rains.... and wow were they rains. I bet it was Calgary's annual rainfall twice fold in a mere 4 hour period. I took a little video on my camera but it was amazing. I thought the roads would be out, seeing as they really are little dirt paths.
The food here is good.... the portions are huge though and I can never even finish half and I feel horrible. They think Westerners eat so much so they give so much but it is enormous. At most places you have a selection of things on the menu, at other they give you a huge menu with 50+ things on it then tell you there is only rice, beans, chicken and fish. Why the menu I don't understand. I have been sweating so much it is ridiculous. It will be interesting to see how much (if any) weight I have sweated off so far in a little over a week.
We have gotten to see the ocean a few times, which I loved. We couldn't swim because the rip tide is too fierce in the places we were, but we all ran and put our feet in. We had lunch on the beach a couple times and it was awesome.
I am a little tired as I have been a little ill the last couple days and not sleeping well, but I am still my eager self and am sure I will be back up to perfect health in a few days. I hope by the time we get to Wechiau as there is not any AC there and in most places we have been there has been so to sleep has been ok.
I have some laundry being done today as my goodness the rainforest sure stinks your stuff up. There is this weird smell that is ingrained into my clothes, but it will be fine.
I am pretty much rambling now with not much more to say, so I will sign off as it will probably take 10 minutes for this to save and load anyways... the internet connection down here is terrible! I am still trying to figure out my phone and buy some more credit so I will call when I get the chance.
I hope all is well with everyone and the weather is good at home.
talk to you all again soon (I hope) but I have no idea when my internet opportunity will again arise.
Love you all!
Krystle
Sorry I haven't been writing, but this is the first time I have had internet access since the last post.. we have been traipsing through the Ghanaian rain forest!
My time here so far has been amazing. I am starting to aclimatize a little better and the heat isn't bothering me too much, but my ankles are still a little swollen. I seem to have ballooned out upon arrival, probably with water retention. The temperature usually hovers around 30-35 degrees Celsius, but with 90-100% humidity the heat stress index (what the temp actually feels like) is about 45 degrees. It makes me so drowsy after meals that it's hard to stay awake!
So... where to start with my adventures thus far...
we spent the first two nights in the capital city Accra and then headed for Cape Coast and visited Elmina Castle, built in 1482 by the Portuguese for "trading" but eventually became a huge slave trade hub, with more than 60million people passing through its doors in the centuries it was up and running. That was a really big thing for me, I have wanted to see something like this for a long long time, and it was a great experience. I had to stray from the group a bit for that one, as I really felt that I could cry at any moment. The floors have a stench so real and so saddening you can't help but think at least 1000 people died in the spot you are standing at that very moment.
We stayed in Cape Coast in a place called Hans Cottage Botel, which was like a hotel with a restaurant in a swamp type thing and alligators roaming free on the premises. The room was ok, but they decided to cut the AC at midnight so you would wake up sweaty and grumpy. The crocs were pretty cool though.
The next day we went to Kakum National Park and did the canopy walk, 40m in the air on little flimsy bridge between trees in the rainforest. It was awesome!!! The same day we went and saw a stingless bee operation and research center and actually tasted the honey right from the hive! We then went to see a monkey rehabilitation type place where a lady would take in animals that were going to be killed to eat and the likes.
The next day we headed to Ankasa Exploration Base, which is nearly on the border with Cote d'Ivoire in the heart of the rainforest. It was intense there with huge bugs and humidity like you wouldn't believe. My paper was disentegrating while there because nothing would dry. Ever. We spent a couple days setting up traps and doing night walks trying to find interesting things, and boy did we ever. If this internet connection didn't take nearly 30mins to connect to this site I would upload some pictures of the giant millipedes and spiders we saw. During a trek I also saw a monkey in the trees! He seemed agitated by us and took off pretty quickly but it was definately a cool experience to see a monkey in the rainforest in its natural habitat. The setting up of mosquito nets was aggravating and sleeping was tough at first, but became lovely after the first night. Because the little bunkers we stayed in were nearly nonexistent and were practically not enclosed, we heard the sounds of the rainforest all night, which was beautiful and I have never felt as hypnotized as I had there. There is so much description I wish to share, but so little time. We stayed in Ankasa for 3 nights and 3 days and yesterday we travelled up to Kumasi, the heart of the Ashanti kingdom. We got in late last night so didn't see much except the horrible roads! My goodness I will never complain about the lack of maintenance on Calgary streets ever again! We were flying at a rate of nearly 100km/hr and swerving around potholes (as was everyone else on the road). The potholes were often bigger than the remaining road itself, so a 4 hour trip took us nearly 8 hours. Today we are going to a market and to the Ashanti museum which will be supr interesting, but I am not feeling too great so we will see how that goes.
Nearly everyone in our group has been ill thus far, and I just got hit with it the night before last. I have also been eaten nearly alive by insects and am itching nonstop. All in all I love it and am excited for what is to come.
We are heading tomorrow to Mole National Park for a couple of days and then off to the Wechiau hippo sanctuary for about 5 days, where we will be designing and conducting our own research experiment. Should be interesting except it is apparently like 45 degrees there, and is a lot drier as it is in the far North of the country.
I have learnt so much already, and have been testing myself everyday. I have never been one for group travel and the like, but I am doing my best to make it work. Nobody is fighting yet so that is good... the irritations are flaring a little but nothing serious. I am also trying to get over my fear of insects, particularly in Ankasa - I ended up sharing my bucket shower with 3 large suckers that provided a coordinated attack on me from all corners.
Life is so different here, and in so many ways it is better. I honestly think all people could learn serious lessons from others that live so differently it is sometimes uncomfortable.... I am pretty sure my blood pressure is down as the Ghanaian way is to sit and chill and not worry about things, so I am trying my best to leave my uppity type A personality in the room at the start of the day.
I have been trying to get up early and just sit and observe whats going on around me; in Ankasa I would be up by 6, have my bucket shower and dress, and sit on the deck for an hour or so, just listening to the noises and things going on around me. I can't believe we are destroying a place as magical as the rainforest at such a rapid rate.... it is making me sick to think that my children may never get the opportunity to see such a place.
In Ankasa we got to observe the rainforest rains.... and wow were they rains. I bet it was Calgary's annual rainfall twice fold in a mere 4 hour period. I took a little video on my camera but it was amazing. I thought the roads would be out, seeing as they really are little dirt paths.
The food here is good.... the portions are huge though and I can never even finish half and I feel horrible. They think Westerners eat so much so they give so much but it is enormous. At most places you have a selection of things on the menu, at other they give you a huge menu with 50+ things on it then tell you there is only rice, beans, chicken and fish. Why the menu I don't understand. I have been sweating so much it is ridiculous. It will be interesting to see how much (if any) weight I have sweated off so far in a little over a week.
We have gotten to see the ocean a few times, which I loved. We couldn't swim because the rip tide is too fierce in the places we were, but we all ran and put our feet in. We had lunch on the beach a couple times and it was awesome.
I am a little tired as I have been a little ill the last couple days and not sleeping well, but I am still my eager self and am sure I will be back up to perfect health in a few days. I hope by the time we get to Wechiau as there is not any AC there and in most places we have been there has been so to sleep has been ok.
I have some laundry being done today as my goodness the rainforest sure stinks your stuff up. There is this weird smell that is ingrained into my clothes, but it will be fine.
I am pretty much rambling now with not much more to say, so I will sign off as it will probably take 10 minutes for this to save and load anyways... the internet connection down here is terrible! I am still trying to figure out my phone and buy some more credit so I will call when I get the chance.
I hope all is well with everyone and the weather is good at home.
talk to you all again soon (I hope) but I have no idea when my internet opportunity will again arise.
Love you all!
Krystle
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
I have arrived :)
so it's offical... I have arrived and am in love.
We got in about 7 last evening and the first thing I realized was the horrendous traffic... it took soooo long justto get through a traffic circle! It's quite funny actually there are traffic lights but non of them work and no stop signs so its no wonder people do whatever they want on the road haha.
The hotel "lost" our reservations last night, so we had arrived and it was pitch dark just to find out there was nowhere for us to stay, but we ended up finding a place thatis really nice and has moderate air conditioning (i.e. you will not die) so I am not complaining.
The flights went well and everything so far has worked out, but the pace of life is amazing in comparison. Everybody here gets places when they do and there are no clocks anywhere! If someone tells you they will get you in a half hour who knows how long that will be.
We just came from the National Museum, which was pretty cool, and had a buffet with traditional style food, and I got into some super spicy stuff that nearly burnt my tounge off haha.
Beer costs as much as water down here so we have kind of been on a roll, and decided at the Frankfurt airport at 7 in the morning that a couple of bottle of wine between two other girls and myself was a good idea.... needless to say today I am not drinking and am avoiding alcohol.
Its fairly hot here, probably around 30 degrees or so and super humid but I love it. My skin is happy with the moisture and so far all the food and excitement has been sitting well with my stomach so I am happy!!
Anyways we are at an internet cafe quickly and it is super busy in here (also called Busy internet Cafe haha) and super slow, so it will take the remainder of my time to save this post so I should be going. I am unsure of my next internet opportunity, probably not for at least another week.
Anyways I hope to have some great stories for next time I post!
Krystle
xxx
We got in about 7 last evening and the first thing I realized was the horrendous traffic... it took soooo long justto get through a traffic circle! It's quite funny actually there are traffic lights but non of them work and no stop signs so its no wonder people do whatever they want on the road haha.
The hotel "lost" our reservations last night, so we had arrived and it was pitch dark just to find out there was nowhere for us to stay, but we ended up finding a place thatis really nice and has moderate air conditioning (i.e. you will not die) so I am not complaining.
The flights went well and everything so far has worked out, but the pace of life is amazing in comparison. Everybody here gets places when they do and there are no clocks anywhere! If someone tells you they will get you in a half hour who knows how long that will be.
We just came from the National Museum, which was pretty cool, and had a buffet with traditional style food, and I got into some super spicy stuff that nearly burnt my tounge off haha.
Beer costs as much as water down here so we have kind of been on a roll, and decided at the Frankfurt airport at 7 in the morning that a couple of bottle of wine between two other girls and myself was a good idea.... needless to say today I am not drinking and am avoiding alcohol.
Its fairly hot here, probably around 30 degrees or so and super humid but I love it. My skin is happy with the moisture and so far all the food and excitement has been sitting well with my stomach so I am happy!!
Anyways we are at an internet cafe quickly and it is super busy in here (also called Busy internet Cafe haha) and super slow, so it will take the remainder of my time to save this post so I should be going. I am unsure of my next internet opportunity, probably not for at least another week.
Anyways I hope to have some great stories for next time I post!
Krystle
xxx
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Departure in T minus 1 day
So, here I am sitting at home looking at my luggage (all packed!) and my mind is beginning to wander to how the next few months will be. I am super excited and thrilled to be leaving tomorrow for Ghana, but I am not looking forward to the flight, or trying to carry all my luggage. There is so much I honestly don't want to think about it.
I have finished one of the assignments I need to do (final edit tomorrow morning) and I figure I will do the other one on the plane... I will be in the air for so long, might as well do something worthwhile.
I can't wait to get to Ghana and be embraced by the sights, smells, and strange looks from people when I decide to wander on my own. I watched a commercial today and it said something along the lines of how its funny that in places where nobody knows you and you know nobody that you can really be yourself. I am a little apprehensive as I don't know what to expect, but other than that I feel like I am ready to take this new journey head on.
I still have plenty to do before my flight tomorrow, so I will try to write once I arrive in Accra on Tuesday.
Krystle
xxx
I have finished one of the assignments I need to do (final edit tomorrow morning) and I figure I will do the other one on the plane... I will be in the air for so long, might as well do something worthwhile.
I can't wait to get to Ghana and be embraced by the sights, smells, and strange looks from people when I decide to wander on my own. I watched a commercial today and it said something along the lines of how its funny that in places where nobody knows you and you know nobody that you can really be yourself. I am a little apprehensive as I don't know what to expect, but other than that I feel like I am ready to take this new journey head on.
I still have plenty to do before my flight tomorrow, so I will try to write once I arrive in Accra on Tuesday.
Krystle
xxx
Friday, May 15, 2009
Prep week complete!
So "Prep Week" at the University is officially over. I have a million and four things left to do before I leave Monday, and things left to buy and everything that I should have done weeks ago. Stress stress stress. Oh well.
I need to get my rush rush behavior out of the way, because I am going back on Africa time. I need to leave my crazy hectic pace behind and pick up the laid back attitude of every Ghanaian I have ever met.
This weekend is going to be crazy...project....laundry....project....pack.....project....shopping.....project.....see family (?).....pack
the whirlwind that is last minute.
I really have nothing new to say, just that my departure is two and a half days away, and it still doesn't feel real.
Anyways, time to get started on my list.
Krystle
I need to get my rush rush behavior out of the way, because I am going back on Africa time. I need to leave my crazy hectic pace behind and pick up the laid back attitude of every Ghanaian I have ever met.
This weekend is going to be crazy...project....laundry....project....pack.....project....shopping.....project.....see family (?).....pack
the whirlwind that is last minute.
I really have nothing new to say, just that my departure is two and a half days away, and it still doesn't feel real.
Anyways, time to get started on my list.
Krystle
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Most of you know I am heading to Ghana in West Africa on Monday May 18 with the biological sciences group at the University of Calgary. For a month we will be doing biodiversity and conservation projects in various areas of the country. This ends on June 14. On June 15 I am starting a volunteer placement with a maternity clinic to do HIV/AIDS counselling/support/awareness. I am very excited about this, and for the general helping out in the clinic that will be going on. I will do this for about another month. I return home at the end of July, although it will probably be hard to leave... judging from my horrible detachment from South Africa last year I will have a hard time coming home.
After reading my friend Marcia's blogs about Cote d'Ivoire I decided to follow in her footsteps and create a blog while I am gone. Eveytime I have internet access (which won't be often by the sounds of it) I will update my "blog" and try to add pictures and the like.
I will send Emails only in special circumstances and if they are important and/or personal as I don't want to be spending a huge chunk of time writing various emails to everyone, most of the time saying the same things.
I can't wait to get to Ghana and get immersed in the culture... we watched a video today of dancing and celebrations and some weaving of traditional outfits (of which I want to get my hands on) and some other interesting things, and I can't wait.
Well I have an assignment to finish in preparation for the trip, and a cold to beat before I leave, so I should get to it. I will try to update this a few more times before I leave, but after that check back weekly for updates. I probably won't be diving with great white sharks or bungee jumping off a 200m bridge this time, but who knows something just as exciting might pop up!!
:)
Krystle
After reading my friend Marcia's blogs about Cote d'Ivoire I decided to follow in her footsteps and create a blog while I am gone. Eveytime I have internet access (which won't be often by the sounds of it) I will update my "blog" and try to add pictures and the like.
I will send Emails only in special circumstances and if they are important and/or personal as I don't want to be spending a huge chunk of time writing various emails to everyone, most of the time saying the same things.
I can't wait to get to Ghana and get immersed in the culture... we watched a video today of dancing and celebrations and some weaving of traditional outfits (of which I want to get my hands on) and some other interesting things, and I can't wait.
Well I have an assignment to finish in preparation for the trip, and a cold to beat before I leave, so I should get to it. I will try to update this a few more times before I leave, but after that check back weekly for updates. I probably won't be diving with great white sharks or bungee jumping off a 200m bridge this time, but who knows something just as exciting might pop up!!
:)
Krystle
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