Well, 1 week from today and I will be on my way home!!! It is actually kind of surreal. I feel like I have been gone forever. I don't know how I will feel to be back in US.
What am I excited for?
Hmmm. Well, obviously to see my family and friends.... but mostly to eat food I like. I would like to take a nice hot shower too. And drive!! I miss driving myself around.
When I arrive, I think I would like to eat at Taco Bell actually. A hardshell, 2-taco kids meal with pintos and cheese. haah. Seriously. However, I have lost quite a bit of weight since being here. Not because I was sick, or not eating... but because I drink a lot of water, walk a lot and I don't snack on stuff and eat when I'm not hungry. That is definately the key. So... when I get home, I will have to follow that trend. I like being smaller, I just don't have any clothes that fit now. :) hehe. Surely, it is healthier for me. I am thinking of joining WW again when I get home just to stay in check. I can't ever get that big again. It wasn't good.
I can't wait to get back to school. I actually miss being there. I miss having a set schedule and keeping busy. Going back to work.... hmmm, I guess I am excited for that too. Many people will be glad to see me back. Especially since they think I am coming back in January!!
What will I miss?
I will definately miss the people in my house. Maa, Mr.Moses, Celestine, Bisong, and Christy. I will dearly miss Annabelle!!! It is fun being in a different place, seeing new things and meeting lots of people. I will miss the kids in the village too. Mostly, just how life is here. I have gotten a bit used to it now, so I will definately miss it.
Started packing...
I have already started packing. I have pretty much given away all the clothes I came here with. They are all entirely too big, and I don't want to carry them back home. Any unnecessary things, I will dash them as well. I pray this time at the airport that my bags are under limit. I don't want to pay $150 USD again!!! I usually have to pack and re-pack at least once, in order to reorganize and shift things to make room.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Kwamang visit this past weekend
This past weekend I traveled to a town called Kwamang. It is about 45 minutes drive from my house in Oyoko. I went to the palace and met the parmount chief of that town. I also visited the cave, which is a tourist type attraction.
The cave is about a 10 minute drive outside of the town. We parked the car on the side of the road, and had to trek into the bush for another 10 minutes or so on foot. Before going to the cave, we had to purchase "schnapps". I know I have talked about Schnapps before... and as tradition goes, to see the chief requires a bottle and going into the cave requires another. We arrived at the cave entrance and our guide, who is called "Fire" said a prayer and poured libation on a rock at the entrance. I don't know what he said as it was all in Twi, but after the prayer he took a shot, and the rest of the group also had to take a shot before entering. Later I found out, that I could have declined, but... I was trying to follow suite. The only light source we have is a flashlight. One flashlight. Fire led the way. Many areas of the cave have low ceilings, so you had to crouch down to pass. There is a small stream that passes through one of the tunnels, and we had to cross that as well. I took many pictures, unfortunately I can't paste them as the internet is taking too long to load the pics today. The entire cave was full of bats. Small bats everywhere hanging from the ceilings and walls. They would fly at your head.... ahhh it was gross. At the opposite end of the cave there is a small spring. I drank the water from it, it was amazing. Tasted just like bottled spring water at home!! haha.
The cave is about a 10 minute drive outside of the town. We parked the car on the side of the road, and had to trek into the bush for another 10 minutes or so on foot. Before going to the cave, we had to purchase "schnapps". I know I have talked about Schnapps before... and as tradition goes, to see the chief requires a bottle and going into the cave requires another. We arrived at the cave entrance and our guide, who is called "Fire" said a prayer and poured libation on a rock at the entrance. I don't know what he said as it was all in Twi, but after the prayer he took a shot, and the rest of the group also had to take a shot before entering. Later I found out, that I could have declined, but... I was trying to follow suite. The only light source we have is a flashlight. One flashlight. Fire led the way. Many areas of the cave have low ceilings, so you had to crouch down to pass. There is a small stream that passes through one of the tunnels, and we had to cross that as well. I took many pictures, unfortunately I can't paste them as the internet is taking too long to load the pics today. The entire cave was full of bats. Small bats everywhere hanging from the ceilings and walls. They would fly at your head.... ahhh it was gross. At the opposite end of the cave there is a small spring. I drank the water from it, it was amazing. Tasted just like bottled spring water at home!! haha.
What have I been up to??
Once again, my apologizes for not writing in such a long while. Per the usual, I have been "busy". haha. So... I will try and recap what has been happening.
Thanksgiving week:
The Eye doctors from German came again for surgeries during the holiday week. One of the dr's would consult patients with Mrs.Esaw all day, the other would be doing surgeries all day. Start time everyday - 6:00am, end time - anytime past 10pm!!! haha. Long long days. I was in charge of consent forms again. I had my own little desk, and registered the patients coming for surgery. It wasn't anything exciting, but it was something to do. In all, I think they consulted over 1,000 patients that week, and had over 120 surgeries?? I don't have the exact figures, but something like that. The dr's have since returned home, and now all the patients are coming back for re-checks. Many of the surgeries were successful, others not so much. Some of the patients are non-compliant with medication and instructions and are not recovering well. Those, are more than should be....
What did I eat Thanksgiving Day?? Well... I did eat turkey. It was actually turkey wings. I had a soup made with agoosi, okra, and vegetable leaves. It is actually my favorite dish here. I ate it with neat fufuo. Very nice. I can't wait to come back and have my real thanksgiving dinner though!!! Especially the stuffing and mashed potatoes!!!!!!!!
Last week:
I was at the hospital all last week helping Maa in the consulting room and doing statistics. It is amazing how many people have eye problems!! And how so many of them have eye problems, because of other underlying health issues. For instance, diabetes and hypertension. There are entirely too many people with both of these diseases. Unfortunately, the eyes are affected very much with both of these conditions. So... it is not until they have a problem with their sight that they seek treatment. That is when we find out they also have high BP. To fix the eye problem now depends on fixing the BP problem. All of which depend on money and the patients compliance to treatment! Ahhh. Sometimes I sit in that consultation room and I go crazy thinking about the risks these people play by not taking their meds. Some people have learned the hard way so to speak.... they have lost one eye to glaucoma already... they were warned to take care of the remaining eye and to NEVER go without meds... they did. Now... they are blind. And there is nothing that can be done to reverse it. Tough luck.
Thanksgiving week:
The Eye doctors from German came again for surgeries during the holiday week. One of the dr's would consult patients with Mrs.Esaw all day, the other would be doing surgeries all day. Start time everyday - 6:00am, end time - anytime past 10pm!!! haha. Long long days. I was in charge of consent forms again. I had my own little desk, and registered the patients coming for surgery. It wasn't anything exciting, but it was something to do. In all, I think they consulted over 1,000 patients that week, and had over 120 surgeries?? I don't have the exact figures, but something like that. The dr's have since returned home, and now all the patients are coming back for re-checks. Many of the surgeries were successful, others not so much. Some of the patients are non-compliant with medication and instructions and are not recovering well. Those, are more than should be....
What did I eat Thanksgiving Day?? Well... I did eat turkey. It was actually turkey wings. I had a soup made with agoosi, okra, and vegetable leaves. It is actually my favorite dish here. I ate it with neat fufuo. Very nice. I can't wait to come back and have my real thanksgiving dinner though!!! Especially the stuffing and mashed potatoes!!!!!!!!
Last week:
I was at the hospital all last week helping Maa in the consulting room and doing statistics. It is amazing how many people have eye problems!! And how so many of them have eye problems, because of other underlying health issues. For instance, diabetes and hypertension. There are entirely too many people with both of these diseases. Unfortunately, the eyes are affected very much with both of these conditions. So... it is not until they have a problem with their sight that they seek treatment. That is when we find out they also have high BP. To fix the eye problem now depends on fixing the BP problem. All of which depend on money and the patients compliance to treatment! Ahhh. Sometimes I sit in that consultation room and I go crazy thinking about the risks these people play by not taking their meds. Some people have learned the hard way so to speak.... they have lost one eye to glaucoma already... they were warned to take care of the remaining eye and to NEVER go without meds... they did. Now... they are blind. And there is nothing that can be done to reverse it. Tough luck.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Diamond Dealers
We visited a town... I don't recall the name... but about 20 minutes from Akwatia. They are well known as a diamond dealer village. Along the streets are usually a few men sitting at a desk with some small equipment, just hanging out. They are actually diamond buyers. This guy is some type of dealer/buyer or something and he was selecting out the different grades of diamond according to color. Grade I is clear, Grade II is a bit yellow, and so on. Once we got out of the car, we were nearly swarmed by people asking us what we were looking for. They knew we were surely there for diamonds... they just wanted to know what color, grade and carrot weight. Once that info has been established, a wide selection of people will come out of no where for you to view their diamonds so that you may buy. The whole situation was a bit scary. So.... we saw what we wanted to see and left. I actually held a 2 carrot (sp?) diamond in my hand. Nice.... it was in raw form and had yet to be polished or shape but it was still pretty amazing. I have more pics of the places where they mine the diamonds... but you can see those when I get home!! :)
Gold mines part II
This is taken inside the "office" on the gold mine site. The scale is used to measure the gold so the buyer can pay the workers based on the weight that they mined. The guy on the other side is using a magnet surrounded by a tissue paper to seperate the gold pieces from the black dust/sand particles. Very simple procedure... but very important as the buyer doesn't want to pay more than he has to!!! About 15 minutes after this pic was taken, there was horrible terrenchial downpour. The gold buyer even closed up his scales as he said when the gold gets wet it weighs more... haha. Can't have that!! We were stuck in the office, with a leaky roof for at least 1/2 hour. We then proceeded to trek back to the car. It was probably one of the most adventurous/worst/funniest times of my life. Just picture this....
Treking through a muddy gold mine field wearing size 42 wellington (aka rubber) boots when you are suppose to wear 38. My calves are big... so the boot was tight on my calves, and loose in the foot. I was getting stuck in mud, and because the boot was too big... I couldn't pull myself out of the mud. At one time I had a guy on each arm and one behind me holding me by my belt loops!! haha. I didn't fall... but my pants were really muddy when I got back. My boots also had holes in them. It was funny... but also very tiring. My heart goes out to the people who work in the mines everyday and trek up and down those steep, muddy trails. It's downright dangerous!!
Gold Mines in Eastern Region
The pic on the left is of one of the pits that have been excavated. The soil is then collected and taken to a smaller area... like the pic on the right. The people stand inside of the pond/ditch type enclosure up to their waist and sift through the soil looking for the gold. The small silver bowl on the board near the woman is what she has collected so far. The bowl will then be heated over some coals so the water evaporates and only the gold pieces remain. After a days work, the gold is taken to an "office" onsite and is sold to the dealer. The amount paid to the gold miners is very small compared to the profit the gold dealer will receive when he resells it. Either way, the people walk away with several hundreds of cedi's on a good day. So... it's no wonder soooo many people trek very far out into the mining areas and sift for gold all day. A continuation of this story will follow later today.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Maa, Me & Al-haji
I hope I spelled his name right.... this is Al-haji, our tailor. He is a nice Muslim guy who stays in "Zongo" in Effiduase. He did the dresses Maa and I are wearing. He does good work, he just doesn't speak too much English. Zongo is the name they give an area in a village/town that is predominately a Muslim community/neighborhood. Most bigger towns have a zongo area. So... no matter where you go, the Zongo area will always be full of Muslims -mostly people from the Northern region of Ghana are Muslim. Just an FYI. :)
King of Kumawu
This is "Nana" - pronounced (nah-nah), just like our orange cat. It means chief, or grandparent. In this case, he is the current acting King of Kumawu. This was taken in his house, where he invited us over for a visit. He told us the story of how the king of Kumawu in the 1800s gave his life for all of the Ashanti people so they could win a war. It was really interesting. Anyways, here he is wearing a very traditional attire for a king. The cloth worn in the traditional style, the headpiece with gold on it, the gold chains over his shoulder, and the gold rings on his hands. This is a pretty low key look. Some chiefs and kings are adorned in gold, very fancy - big pieces all over their body. Necklaces, arm bands, cuffs, etc. On this visit we met only him in his house, normally we would be met by his servants and linquist. We would have to seek permission from the linquist to even speak to Nana, much less have a meeting with him. They also would have charged us money, as a kind of bribe.... I learned they take bribes because their position as a servant or linquist is unpaid. So... they have to make money somehow!!! On the floor by his feet are 2 containers... they are bottles of "schnapps". Traditionally, you cannot go meet a chief, king, etc. without bringing along something like schnapps. I bought 2 bottles, the most superior Ghana type of schnapps on the market. They cost Gh 9.0 cedis each, so roughly $12.50 USD. Not too bad.
weekend plans
Well.... this weekend I was invited to go to the Eastern region of Ghana, to a place called Akwatia (ah-kway-tee-ugh). I am going to go visit a hospital there, and also see the old diamond mines!!! If time permits, I will also be going back to shop-rite in Accra!!! hehe. I want to go buy some more good food!! I hear Eastern region is really really beautiful. We will take public transport.... kind of like a greyhound bus - but fancier. It is called V.I.P. hehe. The journey will take 4-5 hours I believe and we will leave friday afternoon, and return home sunday. I will take lots of pics.... be looking for them next week!!!
cold showers
Well, I have been here in Ghana since June 23rd. Everyday, okay, twice daily I have been taking showers. Here... because it is so hot and you get dirty walking everywhere... you got to "bath" at least 2x's a day. The showers are not like at home. It is a step up from my last visit to Ghana. During 2007 they were rationing the water, and at times it wouldn't run for days, so you get water from buckets. Yes, a bucket bath/shower. It was real fun.
Now... I have an actual shower, no curtain, just the tub and a shower head. It's progress.... anyways, the best part about the whole thing is the showers are cold. Cold water, as in NO HEATER!!! So.... no warm water. All of you who are taking showers every morning, please think of me when your standing under the shower head and steam is filling the bathroom as the water is so warm it is making you doze off back to sleep!!! haha. Now, turn the faucet all the way to cold, and take the same shower. Bet you can't do it!!! :) Just do it 1 time, and then think how fortunate we are to have hot water in our showers.
I am challenging all of you who read this blog to please, in honor of me ... take a cold shower. It wasn't easy I admit at first. You shiver, you want to jump away from the water, hurry and finish... but after awhile it is actually quite refreshing. Just try it.... now before it gets too cold!!
Now... I have an actual shower, no curtain, just the tub and a shower head. It's progress.... anyways, the best part about the whole thing is the showers are cold. Cold water, as in NO HEATER!!! So.... no warm water. All of you who are taking showers every morning, please think of me when your standing under the shower head and steam is filling the bathroom as the water is so warm it is making you doze off back to sleep!!! haha. Now, turn the faucet all the way to cold, and take the same shower. Bet you can't do it!!! :) Just do it 1 time, and then think how fortunate we are to have hot water in our showers.
I am challenging all of you who read this blog to please, in honor of me ... take a cold shower. It wasn't easy I admit at first. You shiver, you want to jump away from the water, hurry and finish... but after awhile it is actually quite refreshing. Just try it.... now before it gets too cold!!
Birthday Wishes
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO MY SWEET SWINE!!!
26 YEARS OLD EHH??? YOUR GETTING UP THERE!!!
DID YOU EVER GO TO CEDAR POINT???
LOVE YA ESS XOXO
26 YEARS OLD EHH??? YOUR GETTING UP THERE!!!
DID YOU EVER GO TO CEDAR POINT???
LOVE YA ESS XOXO
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
recent pic - I have freckles now!!!!
Heyy... this a a recent pic of me. Can you see the dang freckles?! I hate them, I never thought I would see the day that I would have them... just like Monica and Sarah. Grrr... Anyways, as you can see.... I'm okay. A bit whiter, a bit smaller, but mostly about the same.
what's new??
Well.... I am about finished with one of my major papers. I have 2 more left. I am a bit bored at times. I go to the school to help out with the kids, but it seems they often have more than enough help. I do my daily chores, and then just hang out around the house with Maa mostly. Annabelle is getting big, and naughty. She is actually a "heathen". She has now figured out how to jump out of the porch, and so she does it whenever she feels like. Today, I met her laying on the railing of the porch. What?! She is a brat. I think I may have to build her pen sooner than I had expected. Her horns are definately coming out, and she seems taller and longer. Still very cute though.
We have another funeral to attend this saturday, in Kumawu again. Apparently this funeral is at the palace because the dead king's brother has died. So... that should be interesting. Last time we attended a funeral in Kumawu we entered the funeral and sat with the current acting king. Very cool.
Otherwise, same ole same ole here. The weather is getting hot, I hate that. I am enjoying my boxes of goodies from home. I have since finished the bag of pretzel rods, and have only 3 containers of pickles left, ohh and a box of nerds is also gone.
The days are winding down, soon I will be back home. I am very excited about that. See you all very soon. xoxo Love, Steph
We have another funeral to attend this saturday, in Kumawu again. Apparently this funeral is at the palace because the dead king's brother has died. So... that should be interesting. Last time we attended a funeral in Kumawu we entered the funeral and sat with the current acting king. Very cool.
Otherwise, same ole same ole here. The weather is getting hot, I hate that. I am enjoying my boxes of goodies from home. I have since finished the bag of pretzel rods, and have only 3 containers of pickles left, ohh and a box of nerds is also gone.
The days are winding down, soon I will be back home. I am very excited about that. See you all very soon. xoxo Love, Steph
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Down with a cold....waiting for packages
Well, per the usual, I have a cold. It will undoubtedly last about 1 month.... yuck. My mom and Dad have had a cold.... and even the Maa in my house!!! Guess it's my turn.
I am going to the post office today to check if I have any packages in Kumasi to pick up. My mom recently sent 2 boxes of stuff!!! The most important thing in those boxes will be the pickles!! I plan on eating at least one right at the customs office!!! haha. The boxes cost about $50 bucks a piece to ship, and then I end up paying about$5-10 to get them out of the customs office. I have a way better deal than my mom!!!
This week will be pretty low key, mostly because I feel like crap. I think it is a combination sinus infection, which has finally reached my chest and now that is completely congested.... also, my tummy is running again. The malaria test said negative, but they did find 1 parasite on my slide on the microscope?? At this point, taking a malaria treatment med will make me feel 100x's worse than I do now. It is like taking an overdose of a cold medication!!! You feel terrible, very weak, and can't eat. Yuck. I think I will tough it out, and maybe eat more fufuo to make my tummy stop running!!!
I will be in the house all week working on my research papers. At night, I will go to the school and help the kids with their prep work... it is kind of like extra classes at night, where they get tutored and the teacher goes over the lessons in more detail. Otherwise, things are pretty boring in Oyoko. haha. I wish I were home on campus at MSU!!! I definately miss being in class. Never thought I would say that outloud but it's true. It's a routine... that I am used to.
Talk soon.xoxo
Steph
I am going to the post office today to check if I have any packages in Kumasi to pick up. My mom recently sent 2 boxes of stuff!!! The most important thing in those boxes will be the pickles!! I plan on eating at least one right at the customs office!!! haha. The boxes cost about $50 bucks a piece to ship, and then I end up paying about$5-10 to get them out of the customs office. I have a way better deal than my mom!!!
This week will be pretty low key, mostly because I feel like crap. I think it is a combination sinus infection, which has finally reached my chest and now that is completely congested.... also, my tummy is running again. The malaria test said negative, but they did find 1 parasite on my slide on the microscope?? At this point, taking a malaria treatment med will make me feel 100x's worse than I do now. It is like taking an overdose of a cold medication!!! You feel terrible, very weak, and can't eat. Yuck. I think I will tough it out, and maybe eat more fufuo to make my tummy stop running!!!
I will be in the house all week working on my research papers. At night, I will go to the school and help the kids with their prep work... it is kind of like extra classes at night, where they get tutored and the teacher goes over the lessons in more detail. Otherwise, things are pretty boring in Oyoko. haha. I wish I were home on campus at MSU!!! I definately miss being in class. Never thought I would say that outloud but it's true. It's a routine... that I am used to.
Talk soon.xoxo
Steph
baby chicks!!!
Here is the best pic I could get.... she seemed very nervous everytime I went in the coup. Here only 4 chicks are seen, but she has 6. 3 yellow, and 3 black. hehe. Very cute. They look just like the pics you see at Easter!!!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
S.O.S.
Heyyy everyone.... well, I haven't written in awhile.... cause not much is going on. I am just working on my research papers, soon I will start doing the surveys with the students, maybe end of Oct/beg. of Nov. I have been going to the school 3 days a week to help out in the classrooms. I have even started attending the Twi class at the school. It is a bit over my head, but good practice I think.
We have baby chicks!!! I will get a pic and post it soon. She had 6, 2 eggs were bad and never hatched. The black hen now has laid eggs, I think 7?? We will have soo many babies running around. haha. They are still locked up in the coup. We are more scared of someone stealing our chickens, than of predators getting them. The other day we came home to find the coup door open!!! Our chickens were out roaming about, and that night we had to go search for them.
This weekend, will be the usual routine. Saturday.... kumasi market and sunday.... effiduase market. haha. I am going to start buying things one at a time to bring back home. My suitcases will be full of my new clothes I have had made since I have been here.... and of gifts. haha. Anyone want anything special???
I hope everyone is doing well. I definately miss home. I would give anything to be on MSU campus this fall. Fall is my favorite season, and being on campus during that time is sooo nice. The breeze is cool and the leaves so pretty.
In the event that a rumor has already started.... I will clarify that yes.... I AM COMING HOME EARLY. However, I have not told anyone when exactly that will be. Just know it is sometime between dec. 15th and Dec. 23rd. hehe. You can all be surprised when I walk through your door!!! I already have arrangements to be picked from the airport. I wanted it to be a total surprise, but... I couldn't resist teasing my mom with the news.
Love and miss you all too much.xoxo
We have baby chicks!!! I will get a pic and post it soon. She had 6, 2 eggs were bad and never hatched. The black hen now has laid eggs, I think 7?? We will have soo many babies running around. haha. They are still locked up in the coup. We are more scared of someone stealing our chickens, than of predators getting them. The other day we came home to find the coup door open!!! Our chickens were out roaming about, and that night we had to go search for them.
This weekend, will be the usual routine. Saturday.... kumasi market and sunday.... effiduase market. haha. I am going to start buying things one at a time to bring back home. My suitcases will be full of my new clothes I have had made since I have been here.... and of gifts. haha. Anyone want anything special???
I hope everyone is doing well. I definately miss home. I would give anything to be on MSU campus this fall. Fall is my favorite season, and being on campus during that time is sooo nice. The breeze is cool and the leaves so pretty.
In the event that a rumor has already started.... I will clarify that yes.... I AM COMING HOME EARLY. However, I have not told anyone when exactly that will be. Just know it is sometime between dec. 15th and Dec. 23rd. hehe. You can all be surprised when I walk through your door!!! I already have arrangements to be picked from the airport. I wanted it to be a total surprise, but... I couldn't resist teasing my mom with the news.
Love and miss you all too much.xoxo
Monday, September 21, 2009
Shop-Rite
Well, I went to Accra this weekend with Maa to go shopping. I took a pic, but it turns out it was on video... and I cannot upload it to the site.
The place was pretty interesting. It was actually called Shop-Rite. They had 22 checkout lanes!!! A bakery, deli, and meat counter. They had aisles upon aisles of stuff. It reminded me of a mini-meijers!!! It was pretty cool. I got some soup mixes, lotion, some cream cheese and pickles.
But... the pickles ended up being a big disappointment. The first jar were not even crunchy, they were soft and tasted like they had been on the shelf for 10 years. The second jar was a different brand, and though crunchy... didn't taste very nice. I am totally bummed. My one and only reason for going to Acc was for the pickles. Now... I have to wait until my mom sends me more. haha. Ohhh how I MISS PICKLES!!!
The journey to Acc was pretty nice. We rode in the VIP buses. Nice seats, flat screen tv, air conditioned. Only 15.00 cedis for a 1-way ticket. That is about $10.40 in USD. Not too bad since the trip is about 4-5 hours long. The traffic is horrible, and the roads not too good either.
We stayed at Mr. Albert and Madam Ester's place. The same house I stayed at when I first arrived in GH when my baggage didn't show up. It was okay. It is always nice coming back "home" though. Even though Oyoko isn't my home home.... it is the only home I can go to here. So.... I was glad to come back.
The market area where shop-rite is housed, literally looks like a section of the lansing/meridian mall. It was soo surreal. Nice shops, fancy clothes displayed in the windows, just like at home. I told Maa that once I get home.... it will be a serious reverse culture shock. I nearly died when I stepped inside shop-rite. And then into the mall area. Haaa... and the food court!! Geez. Very refreshing, but overwhelming too.
The place was pretty interesting. It was actually called Shop-Rite. They had 22 checkout lanes!!! A bakery, deli, and meat counter. They had aisles upon aisles of stuff. It reminded me of a mini-meijers!!! It was pretty cool. I got some soup mixes, lotion, some cream cheese and pickles.
But... the pickles ended up being a big disappointment. The first jar were not even crunchy, they were soft and tasted like they had been on the shelf for 10 years. The second jar was a different brand, and though crunchy... didn't taste very nice. I am totally bummed. My one and only reason for going to Acc was for the pickles. Now... I have to wait until my mom sends me more. haha. Ohhh how I MISS PICKLES!!!
The journey to Acc was pretty nice. We rode in the VIP buses. Nice seats, flat screen tv, air conditioned. Only 15.00 cedis for a 1-way ticket. That is about $10.40 in USD. Not too bad since the trip is about 4-5 hours long. The traffic is horrible, and the roads not too good either.
We stayed at Mr. Albert and Madam Ester's place. The same house I stayed at when I first arrived in GH when my baggage didn't show up. It was okay. It is always nice coming back "home" though. Even though Oyoko isn't my home home.... it is the only home I can go to here. So.... I was glad to come back.
The market area where shop-rite is housed, literally looks like a section of the lansing/meridian mall. It was soo surreal. Nice shops, fancy clothes displayed in the windows, just like at home. I told Maa that once I get home.... it will be a serious reverse culture shock. I nearly died when I stepped inside shop-rite. And then into the mall area. Haaa... and the food court!! Geez. Very refreshing, but overwhelming too.
Reply to comments on hair, hen, cows, and chief guy
Okay.... I have written down the ?'s asked in the comments section... hope I answer all of them for you.
My hair....
I definately liked my hair curly, too bad the weather won't allow it to stay longer than a day!!! I am scared to get a perm cause my hair is too short and very fine. So... it might just be a mess. I guess I look younger, maybe because I have lost my tan?? Have you seen all the freckles?? Haaa. I am totally ticked about it. haha.
Girls here definately wear weaves. They wear weaves, wigs, braids, and any other thing they do back home. Maa can do the say curls in her hair and it stays all week!!!
Regarding a ghana diet. I don't reccommend it to anyone. It isn't nice. I don't really enjoy eating anymore, probably because there is nothing I really like to eat here. Also... there is not a lot of snacking. No chips, candy, etc. My indulgence is bottled coke. Which, I do nearly everyday. When I go out... maybe 4?? haha. But... there is no stopping at taco bell, or eating a candybar. No... so I guess cut out snacking, walk alot, sweat a lot and don't really enjoy your food and you will lose weight?? Not too fun. Ohhh, and don't forget runny tummy. That can be a contributing factor too. Goes in, and comes out, just like that.
The hen...
Well, still no babies yet. We have 8 eggs I think. The other hen has started laying now too. She only has 2 eggs so far. We have locked the hens and the one rooster in the chicken coup because we lost the rooster for a few days. He had gone all the way to the next village!! We found him and someone had cut one of his toenails and tied a string on his leg. An indication that someone had already claimed it as theirs. So... we keep them locked up now. The momma hen stays laying onh the nest most of the time these days. She sqwaks at your when she is off the nest and you go near it. I don't know what predators would eat the eggs. There are no dogs around here. I don't think goats eat eggs??? We will keep her locked up for awhile with the babies. I guess if they went into the bush, maybe something could get them in there?? But, you see momma hens with a line of babies all the time.
The cows...
Yea, it is not really common to see kids barefoot. Most usually have shoes. But, there are some which don't. The cattle travel in herds, with a herdsman who watches them. THey are not dehorned. I have never seen the cows being agressive, but the goats and sheep are. THey fight, and it ends, and they are fine again. Animals are slaughtered at a meat house every morning. It is down the road from my house. The place is very black. I wonder if they burn the ground after they do it? They have a butcher block in the market in effiduase. I will try and take a pic. They cut the meat fresh for you. Flies and all. Really unsanitary I think... but that is how it is.
The sign was in English because it is a school. Most schools say that they primarily use English... but, from my experience this is not true. They speak just as much Twi in school as they do at home. However, it isn't suppose to be that way. But... when the teachers don't speak English, how do you expect the students to??? The sign is Westphalian's sign. That is the school behind my house. It is like a high school.
Chief guy...
The cheif definately did not have a welcoming face. People definately wear traditional cloth to more than just funerals. Some people wear it everyday, some just to special occasions like birthing ceremonies, weddings, church, etc.
The white outfit has so many meanings from what I have been able to gather. People mostly wear white/black on sundays' to church. Then, women who have just given birth tend to wear white. Also, at some funerals, depending on the relationship one has to the deceased - you may wear white. But, to wear a white outfit just because, I don't think you would see that.
Mountains... I don't ever see people hiking. But, many people ride bikes. Not really for exercise probably but just as a means of getting around. Especially if the distances are far. In the early morning you can see people jogging and walking for exercise. This is more in the town though, not so much in the village. The people in the village usually do so much farm and house work, exercise is intertwined in their daily activities.
My hair....
I definately liked my hair curly, too bad the weather won't allow it to stay longer than a day!!! I am scared to get a perm cause my hair is too short and very fine. So... it might just be a mess. I guess I look younger, maybe because I have lost my tan?? Have you seen all the freckles?? Haaa. I am totally ticked about it. haha.
Girls here definately wear weaves. They wear weaves, wigs, braids, and any other thing they do back home. Maa can do the say curls in her hair and it stays all week!!!
Regarding a ghana diet. I don't reccommend it to anyone. It isn't nice. I don't really enjoy eating anymore, probably because there is nothing I really like to eat here. Also... there is not a lot of snacking. No chips, candy, etc. My indulgence is bottled coke. Which, I do nearly everyday. When I go out... maybe 4?? haha. But... there is no stopping at taco bell, or eating a candybar. No... so I guess cut out snacking, walk alot, sweat a lot and don't really enjoy your food and you will lose weight?? Not too fun. Ohhh, and don't forget runny tummy. That can be a contributing factor too. Goes in, and comes out, just like that.
The hen...
Well, still no babies yet. We have 8 eggs I think. The other hen has started laying now too. She only has 2 eggs so far. We have locked the hens and the one rooster in the chicken coup because we lost the rooster for a few days. He had gone all the way to the next village!! We found him and someone had cut one of his toenails and tied a string on his leg. An indication that someone had already claimed it as theirs. So... we keep them locked up now. The momma hen stays laying onh the nest most of the time these days. She sqwaks at your when she is off the nest and you go near it. I don't know what predators would eat the eggs. There are no dogs around here. I don't think goats eat eggs??? We will keep her locked up for awhile with the babies. I guess if they went into the bush, maybe something could get them in there?? But, you see momma hens with a line of babies all the time.
The cows...
Yea, it is not really common to see kids barefoot. Most usually have shoes. But, there are some which don't. The cattle travel in herds, with a herdsman who watches them. THey are not dehorned. I have never seen the cows being agressive, but the goats and sheep are. THey fight, and it ends, and they are fine again. Animals are slaughtered at a meat house every morning. It is down the road from my house. The place is very black. I wonder if they burn the ground after they do it? They have a butcher block in the market in effiduase. I will try and take a pic. They cut the meat fresh for you. Flies and all. Really unsanitary I think... but that is how it is.
The sign was in English because it is a school. Most schools say that they primarily use English... but, from my experience this is not true. They speak just as much Twi in school as they do at home. However, it isn't suppose to be that way. But... when the teachers don't speak English, how do you expect the students to??? The sign is Westphalian's sign. That is the school behind my house. It is like a high school.
Chief guy...
The cheif definately did not have a welcoming face. People definately wear traditional cloth to more than just funerals. Some people wear it everyday, some just to special occasions like birthing ceremonies, weddings, church, etc.
The white outfit has so many meanings from what I have been able to gather. People mostly wear white/black on sundays' to church. Then, women who have just given birth tend to wear white. Also, at some funerals, depending on the relationship one has to the deceased - you may wear white. But, to wear a white outfit just because, I don't think you would see that.
Mountains... I don't ever see people hiking. But, many people ride bikes. Not really for exercise probably but just as a means of getting around. Especially if the distances are far. In the early morning you can see people jogging and walking for exercise. This is more in the town though, not so much in the village. The people in the village usually do so much farm and house work, exercise is intertwined in their daily activities.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Baby chicks coming soon...
Here is one of our hens... she started laying eggs about a week or so ago I think. I am not sure how many she has now... at last count there were 8. Once she gets up, I will take a pic of the eggs. She has made her nest in a USPS box!! hehe. Sorry Uncle Doug!! I have no idea who the dad(s) is/are.... but he is most definately either the black rooster we cooked up last weekend, or.... one of the annoying white roosters. I will be checking in on the nest to see how the chicks are coming along. I guess the gestation is about 3 weeks or so??? How cute will it be to have baby chicks running around??? More pics to come!!!
I went to the saloon...
Yea... that's right. Saloon, pronounced just like the old time western bars.... saloon. However, it was a hair salon. I went with Maa last night.... everyone else was getting their hair curled and set... so I did it too. haha. It looked real cute.... last night. Today, the curls have fallen, and it isn't cute at all. It was a nice change for one day anyway. Sometimes I wish my hair really was curly.... though a perm is too permanent for me.... I will just stick with the rollers. For the lady to wash my hair, and roll it and style it cost GH 1.50. That is the equivalent of about $1 USD. The people here are definately underpaid. So... instead of "gettn' my nails did"... I can get my hair curled??? Ughhh, not quite, but it is a nice treat. Maa says soon we will go to Ksi (Kumasi) and get a nice pedicure... haha. Though I have noticed most of the women here who get pedicures have FAKE nails on their toes. I can do fake nails.... on my fingers, but I will pass on my toes. That is a bit too weird for me.
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