Hey all, sorry for the slow posting. The internet in my hotel does not work so well. So I found an internet cafe today! I took a tro tro, which is like a large van, to a stop called the Circle where there are lots of markets and a hige internet cafe. It is quite nice, air conditioning and all!
But let me catch you up...The flights here went smoothly and once we arrived we got picked up by Unite for Sight and they brought us to the hotel. I then met the other volunteers, got my room assignment, then crashed quickly because I was exhausted. The next morning I was up and ready to go around 6:30. And come to find out, my clock was set wrong so it wsa really 4:30 and I had 2 more hours to sleep. haha oopsies. There have been several things like this happen. Its fun getting acquainted to everything. So, I went back to sleep and awoke to a rooster a couple hours later. Keep in mind that this rooster wakes me up every morning! Nicole and I are wanting to kill this thing. We swear it is right outside OUR window. No one elses. But then we ate some breakfast. Ate a piece of toast with peanut butter on it, drank a pouch of water, then headed out to the first outreach. We went to a village about 3 hours away from Accra. It was a nice drive though, interesting to see everything since it was dark when we arrived. Once we made it to the village, we were introduced to the people and they all cheered for us. We then set up the stations and got to work. I was assigned to distributing this day. So I sat and waiting for the patients to see the doctor then they brought their sheet to me which told me what medication to give them or which eye glasses. This was a fun job because the people would get huge grins on their face when the glasses helped them see. They thanked me left and right and it felt good seeing them so happy. They were sooo appreciative. They refer to me as obroni, which means white girl. They all love the fact that someone from the United States came to their country. Everyone is so welcoming and helpful, sometimes too helpful. But, one thing that stood out that day was after the outreach we all had to use the bathroom real bad. So, the doctor asked a lady if we could use hers. So we walk into her house and she points us in a direction. I go into this room and see a canal in the middle of the room so I figured this was where I was supposed to go, so I did. Then, the rest of the volunteers go and after the last guy came out he told us all that we peed in the wrong spot and that there was an outhouse in the back. We all we laughing so hard after he told us we peed in this persons house in the wrong place. Oopies! Guess we learned quickly to ask for a toilet not just a bathroom. Then a lady cooked us banku and tilapia. Banku is like a dough made of cassava and plantains mashed together. I gave it a try and did not like it at all. The texture of it was different. And it was very spicy! They love spicy food here. Wish I did more but thats okay, looks like Ill be getting used to it.
Saturday we had the day off and so we decided to hit up the huge central market in Accra. We took a taxi here and once we arrived we were quite overwhelmed. There were people EVERYWHERE! I cant wait to upload pictures so you guys can get an idea of what I mean. We walked around for a good 2 hours and I bought candy and rolls there. It was quite an experience. The people were very friendly and many stopped us to say welcome to Ghana. They are are such nice happy people. Another thing I love about here is no one is n any hurry, time is very relaxed and there is never any rush. Its very nice! So after the market we hit up a chop bar for some lunch. We got chicken and rice, seems like its one of the only things places serve here. It is my goal to find a supermarket within the next few days so I can buy some basic things. I really miss American food and its only been 4 days! haha But anyways, then on Sunday we went to Cape Coast and did the canopy walk in the rainforest. This was awesome! I took so many pictures! Then we went to ate lunch then went to a slave castle. This was very interesting. The tour guide explained everything to us and for not liking history much, I really enjoyed learning about the castle. Then we took the 3 hour ride home from Cape Coast and I had shotgun riding back. It was nice because I could see so much more! I love the long drives because I can see so much of Ghana.
And holy cow, let me mention how hot it is here! Very hot and very humid! Feels great at night thought when the temperature cools down a little and there is a nice breeze.
Today we went on another outreach and this one was alot closer. It was only 20 minutes from our hotel so this was a nice change. We got there and got right to work. We say 150ish people today. Another great day. We were working with a different clinic today so this means new doctors and nurses. The doctor I worked with most was 24 and soo funny!! He kept saying how they needed me to mix up their gene pool here and that I need to marry someone in Ghana. Very interesting. Then towards the end of the day several school kids came by us and were teaching us a dance and they loved us. I gave out my phone number so I know they will be calling soon! haha I think the kids are the best part so far. They love that we are here in their country. They are all so friendly and I seem to be getting soo much attention from these youngins! They are quite fun! We got some pictures with them today and I will put them all up ASAP. I just paid 2 cedis for the internet for an hour, which is like 1 dollar. Very cheap. But my time is about to run out so I will write again when I get the chance. Sorry its so brief but I have done so much and have so little time to type is all, and sorry for all the typos too. I know there are alot! But I will post again very soon hopefully. I love this place and I feel very safe here. I chose the best place to come visit for my first time abroad! :)
Much love,
Laura
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