Hi hi hi!!!
I hope everyone is doing fantastically this week. I am sitting in this lovely internet cafe, as usual, thinking that this may be one of my last blog posts before leaving Ghana in 5 days. (Yes, 5 days. I can't believe it.) I just wanted to give y'all a short update and inform you of the flood of emotions that have been circulating around the orphanage and volunteer house.
This weekend was so great. You already heard about the mall, but at the time I wrote that I had yet to go to the cultural markets. We headed out early Saturday morning after Evans made us the best pancake breakfast I have had since we have been there. Don't get me wrong, I love Tina's cooking but Evans really showed her up on this one. (Tina is one of the girls that cooks for us back in Asitey) We grabbed a tro-tro to Tema Station in Accra and started our cultural market journey. We met the nicest lady who walked us all the way to the cultural markets. On the way there she told us about her shop in the markets and by the end of our trip we were all calling her "Mama". She took such good care of us. We went straight to her shop and bought tons of stuff. She then stuck with us the whole time telling us which deal to take, which to ignore, and helping us get past all the vendors that were pulling us each and every way. I'm pretty sure the trip would've been a bit rougher without her looking out for us. That's what I love about Ghana. You meet someone and they make sure you get where you need to go while protecting you and looking out for your wellbeing. That's a once in a blue moon occurrence in America.
The cultural market overall was extremely stressful and overwhelming. It's located in this covered building type thing and has super narrow hallways with stalls back-to-back on both sides. We were some of the only customers so the people would just grab your arm and yank you in to their stall. It took a lot to keep an eye out for each other and see where everyone disappeared to. Bargaining was not as simple as usual and the prices were much higher than in Cape Coast. My first bargaining deal lasted about 20 minutes before we finally compromised on a price that satisfied neither of us. However, the man (Kofi), was nice and got me good prices the rest of the day. Can't complain about that. I finally finished all my purchases and just had to get out. Unbeknownst to me, the experience had yet to begin.
Mama walked us back to the tro-tro station. On the way we decided we should stop at the little shack that said "Urinal/Toilet." Okay, a little sketch, but we had no choice before a bumpy 2 hour ride in a tro-tro. There was a random man sitting outside collecting money. Yes, you had to pay to use the restroom. We paid our 10 pesewa each then Becky & I walked on in. The stalls were, uh, locked. A woman went in before us and there she was...standing on a gutter, going to the restroom in a gutter. Becky and I freaked out. The lady tried to give us tips on how it worked but it really didn't help. Without giving too much detail it was a difficult experience and stepped our friendship up to a whole new level. I was mortified the whole time and I still can't get past that I actually PAID money to go to the bathroom in a literal gutter. Excuse me? I think they should pay us for doing that. As we say here in Ghana, TIA! (This is Africa...used when we do something completely strange/crazy/disgusting, etc.)
We moved on, bought a Fan Ice immediately afterwards and headed home. Becky and I got out of our taxi and kids were attacking from all directions. Not the welcome I expected! We had only been gone 24 hours and they acted like it had been days. Once again, a reason why I love these children so much. If only everyone greeted each other like that back home after not seeing each other for a couple days. We had some great quality time with all of the kids on Saturday night, Sunday and Monday. They were amazingly well-behaved for the 6 of us that were left while the other group was on the safari. We had so much fun and I would not trade that weekend for anything. I would do it over a hundred times...especially after we heard about the chaos that the safari trip was.
I am now in town getting ready to spend the remainder of the donation money I brought with me. We will be stopping by the pharmacy to purchase many medications that the children are in desperate need of. Many have scabies and they all have boughts of malaria. Mama Peace can't afford the medicine and they are running low. I decided it was in their best interest to spend my donation money on the proper medications. Yesterday, we handed out brand new shoes to each child. Part of my donations went to that. They all needed "school" shoes. Rachel and Malori went to the Ogamanya market on Wednesday and got each pair for 7-8 cedi a pair. They are all adorable and the kids are thrilled! It was so fun to watch their faces when we told them that the shoes were all theirs and they didn't have to share with anyone else. :)
The kids know that we are leaving soon and it shows. I am dreading the good-byes but I decided yesterday that I am ready to be home. I had the pleasure of spotting a HUGE cockroach on our bedroom wall. I am not exaggerating when I say that this thing was around 6 inches long and about 2 inches wide. Needless to say someone had to remind me to breathe and we called in the kitchen girls to deal with it. Tina smacked it off the wall, it scampered behind the bed and we spent a solid 20 minutes searching through bags and beds for the thing. No worries...it was found and killed after a few minor heart attacks. Oh, it was so gross. I would have rather had to deal with the mouse that the other girls had to earlier this month. Once again, it is only appropriate to say TIA to that.
Before I head out I want to give you a glimpse at my "What I'm Thankful For" list that I have been composing during my time here in Ghana. This is just a short amount, but it will give you an idea of what is on the rest of it. These are in no particular order:
1) Paved roads
2) Public restrooms
3) Access to modern healthcare
4) My education and the ability to buy books & having a pencil/pen to take exams.
5) A school with walls and a proper roof
6) Underground sewage systems
7) Brushing my teeth without having to use a water bottle as my water source
8) Green grass
9) Carpet and vacuum cleaners
10) Not having to sleep under a net while at home
Most importantly, I am thankful for my parents, family and friends. No matter how many times my parents, family or friends and I disagree I always have their constant love. You have all taught me how to give and receive exponential amounts of love. I have always had support in all that I do. Those are things these kids do not know. It is heartbreaking, but it has made me realize the amount of love that has always filled my life. I hope to say this in person soon, but for now...thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you have done for me. No matter who you are, I am thankful for you and how you have shaped me into the person I am today.
With that, I shall see everyone soon! We will be heading back to Accra on Saturday and I will hopefully have a chance to update this one last time before heading back to America. Time flies when you're having fun!
With so much love,
Steph
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