8/25/2012

 Lexi B and I excited about the weather and palm tree!

 Hot day in the village!

Friday Night, going out to Abomosu dance club.

 

Hello! I am slow on these blogs because for two days we have done the same thing!Interviewing villagers.

Thursday: Lexie Basch(friend/teammate) were in a group together and went to a new village called Ekorso with a new interpreter who works for what we are supporting(World Joy). World Joy is part of LDS Mormon culture and helps the villages with water. Im not Mormon, and being around a lot of African missionaries is similar to the American missionaries but they dont speak English haha.  Seth was our interpreter and is awesome! I met him Tuesday at the soccer scrimmage. Seth was our best interpreter because when we interviewed the villagers as individuals, Seth would say everything the villager would say making sure we understood everything and I got to learn a lot more. Because I enjoy learning the Ghana culture, im not shy about asking anything(appropriate duh). I get distracted by all the animals like dogs, cats, chickens, and goats running around me. I get scared of the chickens because when i was little i was chased by one. There are the cutest goats here with their babies and it is so cute. Also, there are hens with their little chickens and if anyone goes near them, they will go bonkers! So I asked our guide Seth to pick up a baby chick for me and the mama hen flipped out and attacked Seth's legs. It was hilarious how protective the mama hen was. Also, Seth picked up a baby goat and let me look at it up close. Really cool! The dogs in Ghana are a sort of a Chihuahua mixed with something but they are very skinny and not pets. My day ended with coming back to our house and rest!

Friday: Today our group had to wake up at 4:30AM if we wanted to drive to Accra(capital/shopping) which was 4 hours away! Of course I slept in the car! Anyways, once we got to Accra, it was amazing! the city was filled with vendors carrying items such as baskets of fruits on their heads! Very interesting and talented. I tried putting a bucket of water on my head Monday and it was so hard, and the Nurse laughed at me so hard. W drove to a market(westernized) and bought food we needed for the last week in Abomosu. Then we drove to a westernized mall full of the rich side of Ghanaians, which made me feel like I was back in America. The woman all had long hairs with dreads and in the villages the woman have to shave their hairs. At the mall, I found a beautiful cotton material to make into a shirt for me. A Ghanaian woman will be making it for me, very special. I also went to a street market and bargained so well and got a soccer jersey for my good friend and other gifts for family and friends. Because I've been to China and I am used to bargaining and having vendors pull at your arm and persuade you to buy their items. Later tonight, I did my 30 minute run with three other people. Ive been trying to exercise after long days and it really calms me. Anyways, I am moved by the artwork I see at markets, it is beautiful and handmade with low income art materials. After going to the city, I really was surprised at the difference of a villagers life to a city person. I wondered, do the villagers know what they are missing.  It felt different being in the city, because it was very westernized. I have seen alot in Africa that you wouldnt begin to imagine. The villagers travel miles to go to a farm to fetch food and plants just for one day. And they are mostly wearing flip flops or no shoes. I asked the villagers how many times they go to the farm and they answered three times a week. The kids began to learn to fetch water from the boreholes(water system pump) for the family. I see 10 year old children taking care of their little siblings with such grace. I ran into a baby boy who was about 4 years and he stepped on poop and cried but looked around to find nurture and I helped him because the other kids were laughing. The look on the other kids was interesting because they were surprised and wanted the little guy to solve his own problems. I wonder if the kids in the villages will remember seeing us and how it has impacted them. I know it may be scary for us to have all these cameras but they love it! I went to a dance club in our village with the group and Dr. Scott Finnie. Amazing how there are little kids at a "bar" dancing with older kids and the young men dancing with other men. At first, I was little uncomfortable with the men and girls touching us but they were just interested. And I loved seeing how the children danced and I now know how to dance their style! Finnie helped alot by making sure the men werent too close to us, and that helped alot. I noticed everyone looks out for eachother but I wonder if  the babies just know they have to be strong and learn from the older kids. There were 10 year olds dancing in a provocative way, but to them it is not. It is part of their dance. I am beginning to unfold my knowledge of cultures and really take in what I see and hear. And I respect most of their beliefs and the Ghanaians do it with every grace they have. I beyond moved and so proud to be an American Chinese Jewish woman. The woman in the villages call me beautiful and I am touched because they are confessing. But they dont realize how beautiful they are especially their heart. I'd like to give lots of things to them but I cant and I feel me being in Ghana and learning is giving back because I will share my stories forever. One thing I am learning here is when traveling, just let this happen and accept it. Also, ask lots of questions and try to learn the language. It means so much. I am so open here and love to dance with the children and teach them some of my crazy moves that is considered not good in America.  I got the opportunity to teach a group of kids some dance moves and I love the reaction because they just giggle and later will follow me wherever I go. Just know that judging ones culture is never good and find the grace that the culture has. There is always a simple small little grace in a culture. I may not agree with the cultures rules but i respect how much respect they have for following their rules.

 

So I am having trouble uploading many photos, sorry about that! But please add me on FB and if you cannot comment, it is because you do not have account.Thanks again!