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
Sunday, June 28, 2009
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
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