From America to Africa in 11 hours

It was a perfect ending and a perfect beginning. Sam drove me to the airport, helped me carry my two 50-pound bags of luggage, assisted with the check-in (yes I did have to remove one heavy item from one bag to get it under 50 pounds), and walked me to the furthest point that he could in the airport. With a wonderful hug and an “I love you mama”, he sent me off to Ghana.

Several hours later I arrived at the Kotoka airport. After being met by the health officials to make certain that I had my yellow fever vaccination (that’s another story), going through immigration, then customs, I arrived at the front of the airport where Claire was waiting for me. I could not have been any happier to see her. After a long overdue hug and a few tears, Claire said that we needed to move along as we were blocking other people from leaving.

We stepped out into the warm African air and Claire began to talk with taxi drivers about a fair price to get home. She was not happy with the prices that she was quoted and so we walked down the road until she got a taxi driver who she thought would charge a reasonable price. Well that led to Claire arguing with the taxi driver for most of the ride home. At one point she said to him “You are charging me the obruni price!” I must admit that I was happy to see my daughter going head to head with a Ghanian taxi driver. This was a new Claire!

Today was filled with new experiences. I rode in a trotro and a shared taxi; ate plantains and jollof rice, a rice ball in ground nut soup, and red-red for dinner. So basically all new foods. And all delicious.

It is a role-reversal to be here with Claire. I rely on her entirely to tell me what to do. She is the native and I am the visitor. She is completely at home walking on the dirt roads, hailing a trotro, negotiating with taxi drivers, and navigating the dangerous roads to get where we need to be. She is leading and I am following.

I like this journey with Claire.

New Arrival!

Right off the plane, ready for Ghana?

Finishing

This past week has flown by – from finishing classes and exams to preparing for goodbyes, it hasn’t been easy.

On Tuesday I went to Tot To Teen, my first time back since the break, and found out that the teacher I was with had been moved to class two. I decided to stay with her as they’ve changed the upper class schedule and I would only be there for two days. I enjoyed being with the younger students but missed my other students (yes, even the rambunctious ones).

The rest of the week I was busy preparing and causing accidents. Let me explain…

A taxi driver was attempting to get my attention and when I shook my head no he started to turn at the intersection I was crossing at. When he saw me crossing he thought that I was coming towards him and he stopped short. Thus the car behind him hit his taxi, oops.

Then I was sitting in Luscious doing some work and the power went out. I realized I should unplug the cord from my computer to avoid any power surge but didn’t think about unplugging it from the wall. Next thing I knew there was smoke coming from my charger, oops. The charger is now finished.

Back to the rest of the week…

Yesterday Grandma and I went to Makola Market in Accra (what an adventure). I hadn’t been shopping in a market before with a Ghanaian so it was interesting to see how the sellers treated her. However, it wasn’t an easy shopping day with me around because I tend to increase the prices by being white. So, when we were finally getting a taxi to leave she made me stand away from her so that she could get a taxi back for the price she wanted.

And on to this coming week…

Tomorrow is my last exam.  And I can’t wait until tomorrow afternoon, for my mom to arrive!

(Perhaps I will have a guest blogger this next week). 

Two Weeks

Careful not to step too close,

Afraid to fall into the unknown,

Watching everything around me,

Learning from being here,

Going there,

Seeing everything in between.

Here now,

It’s familiar,

Still careful not to step too close,

Open gutter,

Dirt blowing,

Taxi honking,

“obruni”

                                                            Watch your step,

The road is getting shorter,

Being paved here,

Still dirt there,

Cars coming from every direction,

Thoughts racing,

Driving by,

Not ready yet,

To say goodbye,

To leave this place,

It will have to wait.

Grandma Gritty

It was her birthday yesterday. This post is for her - this amazing woman that has become a part of my life, who has opened her home and her heart for me.

She shares her stories, her knowledge, her wisdom, her pain and her joy with me.

She has taught me how to forgive, how to let go, how to trust that I am not alone.

She has given me a home, a place that I look forward coming back to after a long day, and love, that keeps me walking out the door every day. “Take care.”

She has cooked me some of the best Ghanaian food, always making sure that I am well fed and enjoy the food I am eating.

She has been a mother to me, looking out for me, caring for me, being concerned about me.

She is an inspiration to me, as a wife, a mother, and a teacher.

One day I will come back to Ghana for her and her family.

But before then we will meet again soon in the U.S.

Grandma Gritty, thank you.

Children of Ghana

Exams - Why not?

“The exam is not coming on today.”

Oh, okay.

Wait, what?

Yes, it happens – things get changed, mixed up, moved, and the world does not stop.

This is one of the many things I have learned during my time in Ghana.

Let it go – the bad feelings, the frustrations, the anger. Why not?

Yesterday was the beginning of my exams. Only two weeks of exams and my studying at the University of Ghana is finished. Can’t believe it.

I took my Development Studies Final yesterday afternoon. Tomorrow I will take my drumming final (a little nervous about this one). Then on Saturday I will have my last Twi exam. Then one presentation, one final paper, and one final exam in “The Context of Development and Underdevelopment” left in the last week.

This Saturday night is our Farewell Dinner, the beginning of the end.

Let it go – the sadness, the nervousness, the fears. Why not?