Me Akwaba!

I've returned back home...and felt the need to write some thoughts...and put closure to the incredible 5 week journey had in Ghana this summer.

It's amazing how quickly one can adjust back to everyday NY life...as I have. It's been only 4 days since I've been home, and at times I feel like I've been home all summer....picking up quickly my daily routines left behind while in Ghana. I miss Ghana incredibly, though it always feels good to be "home"....especially when it involves a warm shower and a soft bed! Though, I would trade these luxuries any day to be able to go back...which I would do in a heartbeat. There is truly something very special about Ghana...and I hope those who have been reading this blog can experience first hand how special Ghana is.....with their own trip there!

I've missed so much since being back.....

waking up at 4:00 in the morning with the chickens...whether in the city or the village, african stew and rice, hearing "obroni" wherever I immersed myself, the loud and colorful music heard throughout a neighborhood or city street, the kindness and big hearts of all the people I met, dancing ...at home, in the market, in the club!

Much thanks to all my families who took such great care of me in during my stay in Ghana. Sadique, Farida, Sarah, Nasi, Emma, Evelyn, Obroni...and everyone else who truly made me feel at "home" throughout my five weeks there. I hope one day to give back to them all that they have done for me to make my trip so memorable! I miss you all.....and looking forward to coming back! As the title states....ME AKWABA (translated as...."I'll be back"...in Twi.!)

A World Away....

I'm on my way back to NY...sitting in the airport in Amsterdam.....trying to believe I'm still back in Ghana...but easily reminded I'm not, as I look around and see the lavishes I've been without for the past 5 weeks. How could it be that one continent can be so entirely different than another one. Though I've only traveled 6 hours to get to Amersterdam..I truly feel a world away from the one I experienced in Ghana. I've gone to the bathroom more times here in Amsterdam than I have in probably 2 1/2 days in Ghana. Why...you might ask? Well...because they are readily available here, toilets...tissue paper...running water and all. In Ghana....I'd have to pray very hard at times not have to use the facilities...and if my prayers weren't answered...I'd pray harder to find a "comfortable" spot to do my business. For most people....a toilet is nothing more than a porcelin figure sitting in their bathroom. My time in Ghana...I know see it as a luxury!!! (I've already promised myself to go home and clean my toilet as if it were gold! :)

Everything looks a bit wierd here.....though in a short time...it'll all once again look familiar. I just question why it is I have to take a plane to see and feel what is in Amsterdam....NY....but a place like Ghana is without so many of the things we take for granted...and will continue to take for granted. For the past week.....I've been without running water. Everytime I went to the tap....I prayed that water would flow out of it....so I could wash my hair...my hands...or flush the toilet. It came back for about 2 hours...and then quickly disappeared. To my friends...it's a part of life there...not really able to be so annoyed or concerned...since it happens so irregular. To any American, it would be a great disturbance, at times...so unaware of that running water is actually a "luxury" in many parts of the world!

Why it is that some countries have so much...while others have so little. Though...what I have realized is that on the outside, countries like America and Europe might have so much...but in reality, it is countries like Ghana that truly have more than America will ever have. You have to go there to truly understand what I'm trying to convey. And I hope you do!

African Time

My blog wouldn't be complete without making a quick note about "African Time", something I've learned quickly to dislike and hope to forget as I head back to NY!

What is African Time...you might ask. To put it simply....it's the time given to a person as to when he or she should be ready to do something... then adding 2-5 hours to that time...depending on the day, person, temperature, food taken that day, etc. (as you can see...it could be anything!) Unfortunately, you never know if it is 2, 3, or even 5 hours added to the time...so you are always somehow left waiting, waiting, waiting....and more waiting.

I've decided to list some examples...for one to get a true understanding of African Time!

After a long and relaxing day at the beach in Accra.....the next day was going to be filled with little errands and things to do before I said my final goodbye to Ghana. My friend needed to do some things in the morning...so he left the house around 5:30...letting me know he would be home "soon" to take me on my errands. Waking up around 6:30 myself...I knew I had to get ready quick so I would be set to go when my friend arrived. At around 8:30...I became a bit ansy....wanting to leave the house...but needed to wait for my friend to arrive. 9:30 came...and I was bored and annoyed....but not surprised since by this point in my trip...I was familiar with the African time. I can't say "used to it"...since someone like me could never get used to their timing system!

Finally, at 10:40...my friend called to let me know he was on his way. I tried hiding my being annoyed while speaking to him...since I knew he was doing me a great favor taking me on my errands. So...I took it like that and figured he was really on his way....I mean...he took the time to call me...and let me know he was coming...so why wouldn't I think he wasn't coming? Well...I should have realized once again that African time always plays a role in whatever you want to do, since I was left waiting for him once again. 11:30 came along...then 12:30....then 1:30....By now....I'm either thinking something happened to him....or his message that "I'm on my way"..really was to be translated as "I still have one or two things to do before I come home...so I'll see you in a couple of hours". The latter was what actually happened...are you surprised?
He finally arrived at 1:40.....strolling leisurely into the house...as if he just called 5 minutes ago to say he was on his way! I tried very hard not to show him I was annoyed....but I couldn't help opening my mouth to let him know that he needs to choose his words more carefully when telling someone "I'm on my way!"...something I've had to tell people on more than one occasion.

I give a lot of credit to my friends here...who deal with this timing system on a daily basis! I'm looking forward to escaping it....hoping that I too haven't become a victim of it as I head back to NY! (if I late to see any of you....I'm sorry...but you know I have a valid excuse...at least for the next few months anyway...until I can't shake the syndrom off!)

ps....couldn't help but add this!
My student's friend was calling for him as we were loading on the bus. My student responded to his friend that he's coming back right now...so he should wait. After the bus was on it 's way..I asked him why he told his friend that he was cominb back right now...since he knew that he wasn't coming back right away...but instead spending the night in the big city!!!! He looked at me with a perplexed look on his face......see what I mean about African time! :)

Life in an African Village

I just returned from a trip to a small fishing village 3 hours from the main city of Accra. Though the trip was short, less than a 24 hour stay...my thoughts and observations were plenty!!

I arrived at the station at 5:00 a.m...thinking I would get a "tro-tro" by 5:30 and we'd be on our way. I once again forgot I wasn't in NY...since in Africa, you wait, wait. And wait! So...after 90 minutes of waiting on the tro-tro...we were on our way. The journey was a quick one...thankfully the roads weren't too bad, and when they were...we just bounced along as did the rocks on the road. Luckily..I was looking carefully at the signs on the road..since I almost passed my drop off. Not realizing I would be the only one getting off at my station...I was lucky to catch the location in time to let "the mate" know I was getting off.

Upon arriving to the small town..I was now on my way to find my "family". (Ghanaians always know how to treat you as family!) I wasn't sure as to the village's name, so I inquired with one of the taxi driver's at my drop-off. Within 5 minutes time..I felt as if half the town was helping me look for my friends...That's also how Ghanaians are. Always trying to help..whether friend or stranger. Though, within meeting someone..you feel as if you were their friends for the past few years...instead of some few minutes. It's truly amazing.

After finding out where I needed to go...I had my new friend, Billy, take me to the town. Asking the price of the taxi...he assured me he wouldn't cheat me..since he believes one day he will be in NYC..and wouldn't want someone to cheat him. So...I took it like that...and didn't beg too much for a lower price (something I've gotten very good at!). He not only drove me to the village...but walked me to the "door" of the house I was in search of...just to make sure I arrived safe and sound. I hope to one day meet Billy again...since he's the type of person one never forgets!!!

Peaceful, serene, jovial, picturesque...these are only a handful of adjectives that could describe a true African village. As I walked in the sand (the village is located on the shore)...you hear the sound of the ocean..waves crashing together...calming every thought inside you. Everyone is each other's family. Everyone I met seemed to related in someway...that's how African families are. One big family! And that is how I was recieved. Since I was in a fishing village...you can assume what everyone eats! But...when Cari comes along...everyone became a vegetarian for a night. I think I would have even eaten something with fish in it...out of respect. But, in turn..they gave the respect to me...and catered to my needs! I truly believe it was their first meal ever without a single piece of fish!!! (I'm wondering if they gobbled some fish before going to bed..! :)

Life is very simple there. No electricity..no running water. The toilet is the sand...if you're lucky..you can find a big enough "bush" to conceal your behind! The people are all "one" with each other. Every where I went...everyone was extending their greetings to me and my friends..! Greetings are not just "how are you?". In their culture...a greeting can reach to 5 minutes..asking about your mother...father...brother,..etc. Americans have a lot to learn from them...in terms of how they take each other as family..and the concern they have for eachother!

Now I"m back in Accra...admist the noise..pollution..and sanity of so many people! I miss the ocean.....the sand between my toes...and the simple way I lived while I was there. I wish I could have bottled it up...and taken the feelings felt there back to NY!! But as I tell everyone before I leave them....."Me Akwaba!" (I'll be back!)