I cannot believe that I have been in Ghana for two months already. Time has flown by! I have been having so much fun, even in the day-to-day things that I didn't see a quarter of my time here slip away. I really do feel that I have made the most of it, and can't wait to use the next six months for even more learning and growth!
At work I am starting to get more long-term projects, and am currently working on revamping the organizations reporting and documentation system. I am really excited to get all of these documents in order and get the correspondence of the organization better coordinated.
This weekend I travelled to the Volta region for the funeral of my boss' mother. I was worried that it would be a sad day and be uncomfortable for me. It was the most joyful event I have ever seen. We were all dressed in black and many had red cloth tied around their waists. The music was played by a marching band and was upbeat and everyone was dancing and clapping. The funeral ended with six men picking up the coffin and dancing with it. And when I say dancing, I mean dancing! They even azonto-ed with it! If you don't know what Azonto is, please watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTUIlOudlHI And then picture me trying to dance like that...all of the time hahaha!
My mom arrives in Accra tomorrow and I am beyond excited. I can't wait to show her everything I have been doing here and how my life is day-to-day. We are also going to explore Cape Coast and spend a few nights having a "tropical vacation" at an eco-friendly beach resort just outside Takoradi. I am very interested to see what she finds shocking and interesting about Ghana and then explaining how normal it is to me now. Will be greeting her with a loud "AKWAABA!"
Monday 13 August 2012
Thursday 2 August 2012
Homesick
I would be very interested to learn the origin of the term "homesick". I find the word slightly ironic from my experiences here in Ghana. I have felt very comfortable here in Ghana, have had great friends and easy access to people at home through e-mail and very affordable international phone rates. However, the past two weeks I have had quick bouts of homesickness. Nothing too serious, no tears (which for me is surprising), but have found myself looking through photos from home, or needing the comfort of a familiar episode of Friends. I found myself thinking about Canada more because I was at home sick twice over the last two weeks. Just normal issues that my body is running into because it's adjusting to the African climate, food and lifestyle, but it was unpleasant nonetheless. It's funny that the only time I have felt homesick here is when I am physically sick. There's a reason they stuck the term "sick" at the end of that word. They are definitely connected.
I have made a full recovery quickly both times, both from the physical illness and missing home. It's so strange that I can feel so comfortable somewhere so different from what I'm used to. I think that there is definitely an emotional survival mechanism that has kicked in. Because at home, I cry almost weekly, about anything and everything. It's a stress relief for me. Here, I have only cried once and that was because it is a beautiful moment when Chandler proposes to Monica in season six of Friends. I have definitely gained a strength that I didn't have before, and I am excited to see how that translates when I get home.
Work is continuing to go well, hoping to get more projects once my boss is back from the field. And will be starting my research for school soon so I will definitely be busy. Things are changing here in Accra, with one of my roommates and a big group of my close Canadian friends leaving tomorrow. I am very sad to say goodbye to them, they have definitely shaped the beginning of my adventure here. However, I am also excited to see how things are going to be different. Without my daily support, I am entering a new chapter of my placement. I will have to rely less on them and more on myself and the local people around me. I think it's going to be good to have a different type of growing experience so ensure that I really get the most out of being over here. There will be tears tomorrow, but I know that the girls are excited to get home, and I couldn't be more happy that I had them here to welcome me to Ghana.
I have made a full recovery quickly both times, both from the physical illness and missing home. It's so strange that I can feel so comfortable somewhere so different from what I'm used to. I think that there is definitely an emotional survival mechanism that has kicked in. Because at home, I cry almost weekly, about anything and everything. It's a stress relief for me. Here, I have only cried once and that was because it is a beautiful moment when Chandler proposes to Monica in season six of Friends. I have definitely gained a strength that I didn't have before, and I am excited to see how that translates when I get home.
Work is continuing to go well, hoping to get more projects once my boss is back from the field. And will be starting my research for school soon so I will definitely be busy. Things are changing here in Accra, with one of my roommates and a big group of my close Canadian friends leaving tomorrow. I am very sad to say goodbye to them, they have definitely shaped the beginning of my adventure here. However, I am also excited to see how things are going to be different. Without my daily support, I am entering a new chapter of my placement. I will have to rely less on them and more on myself and the local people around me. I think it's going to be good to have a different type of growing experience so ensure that I really get the most out of being over here. There will be tears tomorrow, but I know that the girls are excited to get home, and I couldn't be more happy that I had them here to welcome me to Ghana.
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