Up and down

July 31, 2010


I’ve been slacking on this blogging thing, as well as writing in my journal. To be quite honest the energy around here is starting to turn sour. We are all tired of training (yes it is necessary, we know, but it still sucks) and we moved back in to our homestay families this past week, so add that weird aspect of trying to live with a family that doesn’t really know you, can’t communicate with you very well, and trying your best not to offend them but also keep your sanity…it’s a fine line these days.

SED group at training

Wednesday is our language test, so I’ve been trying to study, which means I spend a lot of time in my room and not much time with the family which appears to be adding stress around the house. 3 days ago I developed a rash that covers me from head to toe…some sort of an allergic reaction to something, so not only am I completely cheerful, but I’m looking dead sexy, too! (Sarcasm is rampant these days). Only 13 more days till swearing in and then off to site. I can’t wait to get to site so I can start to develop a life here in Ghana. Right now I have no control over what I do and I don’t have my own space, which is starting to get to me a little. Although I am completely aware that once I’m at site I’ll be dying for some Obruni time and will be lonely…grass is always greener, ya know.

sexy rash

Anyway, a couple days ago another trainee and I played hookie for a couple hours and went to Koforidua to hunt for piecey-piecey fabric. Piecey-piecey is remnant parts sewed together to make a 2-yard of fabric. The Ghanaians don’t like it, but the Obruni hippies love it!!! (and it is cheap at only 3 cedis for a 2 yard) Since most Ghanaians won’t use it, you can only find piecey-piecey in a couple cities in Ghana and one happens to be about 45 minutes away from our homestays. So HOLLA, I bought 10 yards of hippiefabulous fabric. It was a wonderful day!!! For about 4 hours I made decisions on my own!!! No schedule or handouts or anything…damn, I felt like a grown up again. It was awesome!!!!

piecey-piecey

This trip also made me realize how I’m getting used to living in Ghana. I no longer stress out when I get dumped at the tro station and there are people yelling out city names and men screaming, “Obruni, where are you going?” or tugging at my arm. I’m quite used to the fact that I’m pretty much at the mercy of those around me…I usually have a vague idea where I’m going, but no idea how to actually get there…this is completely true if I’m walking around a larger city or even when I get in a taxi and say, with poor pronunciation I’m sure, “Draiva, Akoefe.” I have no idea which direction this place is…it’s just the name of a village on a piece of paper that I’m supposed to go to. Anyway, I’m getting sidetracked…back to Koforidua. The two of us started walking in the general direction we thought the market was…when we started talking and pointing amongst ourselves, a man stops, “Where are you trying to go?” “We are trying to find the market.” “Come.” Ok…off we go and this complete stranger schleps the two Obruns through the streets and deposits us at the market. “Medase, sir.” “Yooo…” This would never happen in the States, people would just ignore you. They’d give you directions when you asked them, but never come up and offer. They would never take time out of their day to walk you there. The Ghanaians do this all the time! It’s awesome!
So, there’s some positive and there’s some negative for you.

If anyone wants to be a superhero, please rip and send me the True Blood Season 2 to address on this blog. I downloaded all of them before I left the States and somehow didn’t keep them on my computer…yes, I know, full tard move.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GARRETT!!

Love you guys,

j