Humbling

Our last couple of days in Ghana were heart felt. As we traveled back from the Volta region and began winding down, we had one more activity schedule. On our last day of activities we went  and did community service at an hospital and donated school supplies to children. The hospital made me so thankful for what I have here in the US. I couldn't imagine feeling horrible and going to a hospital in those conditions to receive care. We then traveled to a school to donate supplies. These children were so grateful for everything they we offered. They were curious about me and one even asked for my email address. This experience has inspired me to stop taking my education for granted and be thankful for the small things. I really came away from this activity with a determination to take advantage of everything at my fingertips.

Dams, Waterfalls, and Monkeys

Our last trip was to the Volta Region which borders a neighbouring country Togo. This is the region of Ewe people.Our first activity was the waterfall. It was an amazing experience. We walked briskly for about 3km and then came to the waterfall.I had no intention of getting in but taught about the motto YOLO and proceeded into the waterfall. The feeling was peaceful and for the first time in life nature and I were getting along. On the nest day we visited Tafi Atome monkey sanctuary where we feed monkeys and learned about pre Christianity religions. We also took a boat down the river where we learned about Kwame's dam project and its failure.

AFRICA AFRICA

Our next two days were  a little less adventurous with travel and the celebration of Africa day. The lord finally blessed me with the opportunity to receive hair services,so I was very thankful   as was everyone who had been in a picture with me during this trip. We also celebrated Africa day which was a little different than what I expected but we all dress nicely to go in the back yard as Ms. Tanisha would say.

Ms.Sarah (my angel)

Kumasi Kumasi Kumasi

Our next adventure was to the Ashanti Region and its capital city Kumasi. The ride was extremely long but well worth it. We visited the previous palace of the king and queenmother and learned all about the traditions of royalty. The customs of the Ashanti people were unique and spoke to a song lyric I once heard by Nas. As we drove around the city, the structure and hustle reminded me a lot of pictures I had seen of Bangkok. The system of roads and rules was extremely foreign and confusing to me. We also visited the Culture Centre were its mission was to preserve the craftsmanship and authenticity of products produce as artifacts. It was nice to see people actually making a selling their work instead of haggling and stealing credit. On our second day here we visited rural villages and a market that has no comparison to anything in the US. The villages were an experience from traveling the rough terrain to the conditions that the people  lived in. We visited three each specialising in a craft. Kente Cloth, Andrika cloth, and glass bead making were the three we visited. Each very unique and proud of their crafts. We then traveled to the market which was 3 miles long. The small portion we went through was the meat market, spice section, beauty supply, and the housewares section. It was amazing how close and fresh everything was. Some merchants had fresh live crabs and others were bagging flour , cinnamon and every spice imaginable. This market and the people that work there are the original ultimate hustlers.

Past,Present and Future

Over the last couple of days we have had more mellow and informative days. We enjoyed two dynamic lectures by beautiful black women . We also visited the WEB Dubois Museum which is in relatively the same condition it was when he was living.Behind the museum was the African Diaspora centre which encouraged those who returned to give back and invest money in the development of Africa.

Long Journey

We traveled to Slave River on our 8th day. Although the mood was very calm and relaxed mentally it was taxing. The story of the slave's journey as captives was one I had never heard. They would walk from inland for hundreds of miles until that came to this river where their captors would bathe them. They would  throw the weak ones into these bamboo trees and use palm oil to shine the strong slaves' skin. The river served as their last bath for sometimes 3-4 months.

Bamboo Cemetery

Footsteps in the Dark

Today was our 7th day in Ghana and it has been eye opening to say the least. Our first stop was the Cape Coast castle which is one of the many castles and forts built along the Gold Coast as a trading port. The whole castle experience was very humbling. As our tour guide explain I couldnt even fathom the humilaton and torture that captives went through for 3 months. The dungeons were humid and still held an odor. I became thankful for everything that I have as we toured the rest of the castle. Our second activity was Kakum National  Park where we walked across the top of the canopy.  The feel of accomplishment overwhelmed me from the hike up the extremely steep hill to the slow brisk walk acoss each bridge. This was an experience of a lifetime that I will truly never forget.

Looking up

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Strength

Today was our sixth day in Ghana. We traveled to the central region today which is about a 2 hour trip. I slept most of the way but enjoyed the scenery when I was awake. Our first stop was lunch in Cape Coast and then we traveled to Elmina. Elmina is a small town in which the first European  castle ever built in Africa was constructed. It was also used as a trading post where gold, spices, and slaves were exchanged. Going into the castle I noticed the sharp contrast between the beautiful coastline and this grim bulky place where human lives were sacrificed for wealth.  The  castle and stories were very intimidating. As we continued the tour all I could think of was the humiliation and pain these group of people endure. It also stroke me to be very conniving of the Portuguese to use this as location holding Africans when they were granted the opportunity of a local chief to build the trading post. In its entirety the castle was overwhelming and a  physical manifestation of everything I had learned in school. The hotel was a peaceful in contrast to the castle.

Th Beauty of Nature

Well today is my 5th day outside the US and Im beginning to realize I am very spoiled with options for food and amenities. we visited pariliment and then traveled to eastern region were we visited an botanical garden and woodcarvers village. The drive was about an hour with a signifcant part in the mountains. The views were breathtaking. At the gardens stood 200 year trees and plants that produced things such as coco, cinnamon, lavender, and shade. We then went to the wodcarvers village which is basically merchants on the edge of the street selling art carved from wood.

Carved tree at the gardens

Different Place Same message

Today was our third day in Ghana. Like any other Sunday we attended church. It was very similar to those back home with the prasie and worship songs and the structure of service. The pastor mixed English and Tui, the common language spoken here, as gave the sermon to ensure understanding among the whole congregation. The neighborhood in which the church was located look to be detoriating at first glance but weas actually being develpoed. It is common here for families to slowly build houses so that when they are done, you own it completely. The houses were much like mansion and varied in architecture, color, and size. After church we went to La Pleasure beach for lunch and fun in the sun.  The beach was an experience to say the least. As we waited for food we were entertained by the most talented beach performers and hassled by the most annoying merchants.

Class is in Session

Today was our fourth day in Ghana. It was filled with two lectures on very interesting topics. The first was on globization and was given by a very dynamic lecturer by the name of Dr.Valdimir Antwi-Danso. He broke down the driving components of globization along with the pros and cons. We ate lunch on campus at " The Basement" . Our second lecture was an historical overview of Ghana given by Dr. Kofi Baku. He broke down the slave trade and explained the involvement of several countries that I was unaware of. He also explained the systems of colonialism.

Campus Dorms

Around Accra we go

Today was the second day in Ghana, and the heat is sweltering. We visited the memorial museum of the first president of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah. His first name tells you that he is male and born on Saturday. He was instrumental in the transition of Ghana formerly known as the Gold Coast from a British colony to independent nation. We also visited independence square which is an outdoor arena that holds thousands of people. We continued our tour and learnt small things about the culture from our manly tour guide George.

Dr.Kwame's final resting place

Back view of Independence Square 

Smooth Landing

Today was my first day not only in Ghana but outside the US. I am fulfilling my dream of visiting Africa  and today was a great start. My negative expectations of the 11 hour flight were wrong to say the least. I was BLESSED with an aisle seat and conscious seat mate. I slept pretty much the whole flight and received entertainment from the blunders of those around me. When we landed, there was so much chaos. We got bags, exchanged money, and skip customs. Throughout the rest of the day we relaxed and prepared for the next week filled with activities and excitement.   We had dinner and dancing at Chez Afrique were I had Chicken and Yam chips.

Restaurant

Chicken and Yam Chips