I don't have much time to write today, but I wanted to share with you all that my sister had a baby boy this morning and I am now an auntie. My nephew's name is Jack (AND he is so cute!).
I am really missing home today. I can't wait to meet Jack.
p.s. I have brown rasta extensions in my hair...!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
what an amazing race...
We just finished the amazing race!!! We were the first team to finish, but we were also the first team to start, so we have not yet found out who won. I was on a great team - I was with two girls, Tessa and Sydney, and we had a blast. We had to race around the city by tro tro and buy different pieces of art/jewellery, send a post-card, buy some soap (at the post office - random, I know!), and then we finished in Osu. So much fun!
This afternoon, I'm heading to my placement to get a tour and meet the head of the school district. His name is Honourable...how awesome is that? I will hopefully get details on my teaching schedule and curriculum. I know that I am teaching math and business at a junior secondary school, but that's all the information I have so far.
Last night, the group headed out to a bar for Obruni Night. It was mostly foreigners, but some locals too. There was a live band, lots of beer, and of course, meat on a stick. We had a great time. We stayed out fairly late and then came back to the house where a few of us decided to practice our African drumming on the roof. We have an amazing rooftop, which has served as our common area because the rest of the house is still under construction. It's where we eat, and take all of our Twi lessons. It's great to be outside so much and because we're high up there's a nice breeze. Don't worry, mom; there's a tent to shade us from the sun! Anyhow, a few of us grabbed some drums last night and headed up there for a rhythm session...amazing!
This morning I was up fairly early, and went out on my own for a walk. It was my first time going out on my own. It was a beautiful morning, and the church next door to us was bustling with some great gospel. I popped down the street to pick up a doughnut (here it's literally bread dough in a ball; it's not like the doughnuts at home). It cost me 20 peswas (~ $0.15). Shortly thereafter the very amazing race began.
Tomorrow I am getting my hair braided. It has been quite a struggle to keep it under control here with all of the heat and humidity. I am also hoping to get a few skirts made with the fabric I bought earlier this week. I will begin posting pictures soon, but am waiting for the internet to be set up at the basecamp.
This afternoon, I'm heading to my placement to get a tour and meet the head of the school district. His name is Honourable...how awesome is that? I will hopefully get details on my teaching schedule and curriculum. I know that I am teaching math and business at a junior secondary school, but that's all the information I have so far.
Last night, the group headed out to a bar for Obruni Night. It was mostly foreigners, but some locals too. There was a live band, lots of beer, and of course, meat on a stick. We had a great time. We stayed out fairly late and then came back to the house where a few of us decided to practice our African drumming on the roof. We have an amazing rooftop, which has served as our common area because the rest of the house is still under construction. It's where we eat, and take all of our Twi lessons. It's great to be outside so much and because we're high up there's a nice breeze. Don't worry, mom; there's a tent to shade us from the sun! Anyhow, a few of us grabbed some drums last night and headed up there for a rhythm session...amazing!
This morning I was up fairly early, and went out on my own for a walk. It was my first time going out on my own. It was a beautiful morning, and the church next door to us was bustling with some great gospel. I popped down the street to pick up a doughnut (here it's literally bread dough in a ball; it's not like the doughnuts at home). It cost me 20 peswas (~ $0.15). Shortly thereafter the very amazing race began.
Tomorrow I am getting my hair braided. It has been quite a struggle to keep it under control here with all of the heat and humidity. I am also hoping to get a few skirts made with the fabric I bought earlier this week. I will begin posting pictures soon, but am waiting for the internet to be set up at the basecamp.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Day 6 and some new adventures in Twi
Yesterday we got toilet seats, lights, AND we went to the beach. Still waiting on internet, but I am overall very pleased. And I stand corrected. In some cases, 'tomorrow' does in fact mean 'the day after today'.
We headed to the beach yesterday after more Twi lessons. It was beautiful, warm, and sunny! We had a great time listening to music and drinking beer. We all went swimming in the very warm and wavy ocean, and then ordered some meat on a stick (Ghana's version of street meat). It is delicious! It's either a beef-kebab or a sausage-kebab with onions and peppers - mmmm!
My Twi vocabulary is growing quickly, and it came in very handy yesterday when a random man tried to charge me 50 peswas (~ $0.35) to use the washroom at the beach restaurant. He clearly thought he had spotted a stupid Obruni (foreigner). He was shocked when I retorted with "ne boo ye den. te so. te so." Translation: "It's too expensive. Lower the price. Lower the price." It wasn't entirely what I had wanted to communicate. Ideally, I would have gone with something like "Do you think I'm an idiot? I know that I don't have to pay to use this washroom, and besides, you don't even work here!" Unfortunately, we haven't gotten to that part of our Twi lessons yet, so I went with the next best thing...my bartering skills. Trust me. He was impressed anyways!
By the way, for those of you who asked (and there were many), Twi is not a 'clicking' language. Those that asked will know what I mean. :)
Today we are spending the afternoon in Osu, which is a more developed expat part of the city. Here lies the internet cafe and several western food options. I personally plan to visit the capuccino bar today - the closest I will come to my dear old starbucks over the next two months. This evening we're going to Obruni night (foreigner night) at a local bar, and tomorrow will be the final day of orientation. We will have an Amazing Race around the city. Like in the actual Amazing Race, we will be given clues and have to visit different pit stops around the city (on our own - yikes)! We will have to use everything we have learned in orientation, and those of you who know me well know that I plan to win! I will be sure to report back on this front.
We headed to the beach yesterday after more Twi lessons. It was beautiful, warm, and sunny! We had a great time listening to music and drinking beer. We all went swimming in the very warm and wavy ocean, and then ordered some meat on a stick (Ghana's version of street meat). It is delicious! It's either a beef-kebab or a sausage-kebab with onions and peppers - mmmm!
My Twi vocabulary is growing quickly, and it came in very handy yesterday when a random man tried to charge me 50 peswas (~ $0.35) to use the washroom at the beach restaurant. He clearly thought he had spotted a stupid Obruni (foreigner). He was shocked when I retorted with "ne boo ye den. te so. te so." Translation: "It's too expensive. Lower the price. Lower the price." It wasn't entirely what I had wanted to communicate. Ideally, I would have gone with something like "Do you think I'm an idiot? I know that I don't have to pay to use this washroom, and besides, you don't even work here!" Unfortunately, we haven't gotten to that part of our Twi lessons yet, so I went with the next best thing...my bartering skills. Trust me. He was impressed anyways!
By the way, for those of you who asked (and there were many), Twi is not a 'clicking' language. Those that asked will know what I mean. :)
Today we are spending the afternoon in Osu, which is a more developed expat part of the city. Here lies the internet cafe and several western food options. I personally plan to visit the capuccino bar today - the closest I will come to my dear old starbucks over the next two months. This evening we're going to Obruni night (foreigner night) at a local bar, and tomorrow will be the final day of orientation. We will have an Amazing Race around the city. Like in the actual Amazing Race, we will be given clues and have to visit different pit stops around the city (on our own - yikes)! We will have to use everything we have learned in orientation, and those of you who know me well know that I plan to win! I will be sure to report back on this front.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow
Today I got to the internet cafe alone! A real feat (see previous blog entry). This was my first time taking a tro-tro (mini-buses running throughout the city) without one of the volunteer program leaders coming along. Of course, I am here with other members of my group, but we are really just the blind leading the blind. The leaning curve is steep, but I'm climbing it fast!
Yesterday we spent the afternoon taking African dancing and drumming lessons. It was an absolute blast, not to mention a fantastic workout. Afterwards, we watched the dance troop that gave us our lessons rehearse their material for an upcoming competition. They were amazing (will post video soon). Today we were at the local market where I bought some beautiful fabrics to have made into dresses.
I have learned from experience that 'tomorrow' in Ghana doesn't mean tomorrow. It means some day in the future. Not today, and likely not the day after today (i.e. 'tomorrow' where I come from). This has helped to moderate my expectations going forward. I was told that I could expect functioning internet, lights, and toilet seats to be installed 'tomorrow', on the evening that I arrived. That was 5 nights ago. Still waiting...
I have been told we are going to the beach tomorrow. Needless to say, I'm not holding my breath!
Yesterday we spent the afternoon taking African dancing and drumming lessons. It was an absolute blast, not to mention a fantastic workout. Afterwards, we watched the dance troop that gave us our lessons rehearse their material for an upcoming competition. They were amazing (will post video soon). Today we were at the local market where I bought some beautiful fabrics to have made into dresses.
I have learned from experience that 'tomorrow' in Ghana doesn't mean tomorrow. It means some day in the future. Not today, and likely not the day after today (i.e. 'tomorrow' where I come from). This has helped to moderate my expectations going forward. I was told that I could expect functioning internet, lights, and toilet seats to be installed 'tomorrow', on the evening that I arrived. That was 5 nights ago. Still waiting...
I have been told we are going to the beach tomorrow. Needless to say, I'm not holding my breath!
Monday, October 5, 2009
My Name Is Ama
Day 3. This place is amazing. The people are so friendly and the children are adorable. As I walk through the streets I hear "Oboruni!" being yelled from all directions. It means 'foreigner', and I am reminded that I am one wherever I go. I suppose it's pretty obvious!
Key learnings to date -
- I know how to drink water out of a plastic bag/sachet that I rip open with my teeth;
- I know how to speak some basic Twi (the local Ghanaian language) - in it, my name is Ama. My name is based on the day of the week that I was born 26 years ago. It was a Saturday, which means my name is Ama.
- I know how to get to the internet cafe (this is key!). Although I am yet to attempt to get here on my own. Knowing how to do something and actually doing it are two very different things around here!
Key learnings to date -
- I know how to drink water out of a plastic bag/sachet that I rip open with my teeth;
- I know how to speak some basic Twi (the local Ghanaian language) - in it, my name is Ama. My name is based on the day of the week that I was born 26 years ago. It was a Saturday, which means my name is Ama.
- I know how to get to the internet cafe (this is key!). Although I am yet to attempt to get here on my own. Knowing how to do something and actually doing it are two very different things around here!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
In Ghana
I am here. It is all that I expected, but nothing like I had imagined.
I have a lot of adjusting to do, and a lot to learn. I haven't even been here for 24 hours, so the fact that I am here is still just beginning to sink in. It's a lot to take in at once.
I will write more as my experience unfolds. Right now I'm at a bit of a loss for words. But I am here, and I am safe, and I am looking forward to what the next 58 days have to hold.
I have a lot of adjusting to do, and a lot to learn. I haven't even been here for 24 hours, so the fact that I am here is still just beginning to sink in. It's a lot to take in at once.
I will write more as my experience unfolds. Right now I'm at a bit of a loss for words. But I am here, and I am safe, and I am looking forward to what the next 58 days have to hold.
Arriving in Amsterdam
Upon checking in at YYZ, I realized that I hadn’t pre-selected a seat. So of course, I had been seated in the middle of the middle. Sigh. I had to get the KLM lady to work her magic, and I was promptly switched to a window seat, the optimal seat for red-eye flight comfort...or so I thought.
As I approached my seat, I realized that I was seated next to a tall Dutch (redundant, I know) man. Upon sighting him, I immediately recalled my big sister’s strict safety instructions: “do not speak to anyone, especially men” (in fairness to her, she is 9 months pregnant, so her maternal instinct is in high gear!).
Well this was a problem. My neighbour was quite chatty, and I had no intention of missing the safety mark only 10 minutes into my trip. So, I took advantage of my window seat, smiled at the Dutch man, propped my pillow against the window, and went to sleep.
And then I woke up. Time to visit the restroom. This is when I discovered that there is no nice way to wake up the kind sleeping man after rudely ignoring him only hours before. After unsuccessfully trying to will him awake (you know, when you stare at someone while they’re sleeping in the hopes that your ‘vibes’ will wake them), I faked a loud sneeze, turned my light on, and off, and on again. No luck. Thankfully, we were only an hour away from landing; so I just waited.
Options going forward were: a) forfeit the window seat, or b) disregard my sister’s instructions.
I immediately changed my seat for the next flight to an aisle.
Lex - We may have to renegotiate some of the terms we agreed on. And Ilia, you were right about your theory. There were lots of Dutch people on the flight into Amsterdam!
As I approached my seat, I realized that I was seated next to a tall Dutch (redundant, I know) man. Upon sighting him, I immediately recalled my big sister’s strict safety instructions: “do not speak to anyone, especially men” (in fairness to her, she is 9 months pregnant, so her maternal instinct is in high gear!).
Well this was a problem. My neighbour was quite chatty, and I had no intention of missing the safety mark only 10 minutes into my trip. So, I took advantage of my window seat, smiled at the Dutch man, propped my pillow against the window, and went to sleep.
And then I woke up. Time to visit the restroom. This is when I discovered that there is no nice way to wake up the kind sleeping man after rudely ignoring him only hours before. After unsuccessfully trying to will him awake (you know, when you stare at someone while they’re sleeping in the hopes that your ‘vibes’ will wake them), I faked a loud sneeze, turned my light on, and off, and on again. No luck. Thankfully, we were only an hour away from landing; so I just waited.
Options going forward were: a) forfeit the window seat, or b) disregard my sister’s instructions.
I immediately changed my seat for the next flight to an aisle.
Lex - We may have to renegotiate some of the terms we agreed on. And Ilia, you were right about your theory. There were lots of Dutch people on the flight into Amsterdam!
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