t minus 8.5

Hello once again to all,

Surprise surprise, I don't have much time to write - but I wanted to send one last email from African soil...so here I am. In less than 3 1/2 hours I'll be on my way to the airport - CRAZY! It's amazing how quickly this last week has gone. There have been a few sad goodbye's in the last couple days, but ultimately it's been a pretty nice send-off. Soon I will be home to have my last taste of the traditional Fufu...hmmmm

Anyway, a couple quick notes:

Mom, I'm to arrive at 2:40 pm tomorrow, just to confirm. Hopefully you still have all the flight numbers and such and all will run smoothly, so I'll be out ASAP.

So Melissa, I presume we'll be arriving in Kingston at about 7 pm (ish) depending on how bad rush hour traffic is...hopefully sooner. I know I packed my key in a logical spot before I left to came here...the question will only be which logical spot??!! haha...oh dear. And I don't think my mom and step dad will be staying overnight like originally planned. Looking forward to having you as my new roomie!!!!

Lauren & Adam - are you guys working that evening? I'm sure I'll be pooped...but maybe I'll stop by...time will tell...

Okay, the countdown is on - I'll be sure to send some final thoughts and perhaps a picture or 2 once I get home...but until then, thanks again for all your support and encouragement during this trip to Ghana. Ultimately, I've had a once in a lifetime experience that I wouldn't give up for anything.

Looking forward to seeing and catching up with you all,

Love from Africa!

Teresa

Some favourite pictures:

Helen at the orphanage - an everyday sight...

a trip to the beach! so much fun!

me and my sweetheart Afietrying to be enthused about the fufu...stuck upside down to the plate. ummmm...

me getting myself pumped up to eat it

yummy fufu and chicken soup

at the market

back from the north

Hello again to all,

As always, I hope this finds you well. Can you believe we're almost to the end of August???!!! In 8 days I will officially be arriving at the airport to check in for my flight...!! Although it's been a great trip, I'll admit that I'm ready to come home. What most am I looking forward to? Probably the clean bathroom with a toilet that always flushes!!!! haha That and milk...surprise surprise. What will I miss most? Definitely the warmness and generosity the people continually show me here. The marriage proposals? ...I don't know that I'll miss that...haha I'll also miss being able to bargain for everything I buy (especially now that I've mastered that art!!). However, what's even harder to believe, is that I'll be back in school in 2 weeks - can't say I'm quite ready for that!!!!!!!! I am really looking forward to catching up with you all though.

Some quick facts from my trip up north - although we spent a good 45 hours, if not more, on a bus in 6 days, it was definitely worth it. The week started off with a quick trip to Kumasi, the 2nd largest city, where we spent some time at a craft market. It's hard to describe what it's like to be a white person (obruni) in these situations, but you literally get pulled from place to place. "Come to my shop...no my shop...me next..." It's good fun. The next big event was the safari. It had rained quite hard the night before so many of the animals had been scared off into the far forests, but it was still some good fun. We started out the day eating our breakfast, only to be graced with the company of a monkey...who decided to take our bananas into his own hands. After 3 or 4 trips back and forth to the table where our bananas were sitting, he had finished eating them all. LOL All I could think about was Curious George. Definitely not something I'll forget quickly!! The safari itself wasn't quite as exciting as I'd hoped, partly because of the prior rain, and partly because Ghana's 'African' animals are limited to monkeys, warthogs, antelopes, elephants, lions (who sleep at this time of year), and a few others. But it was still a FANTASTIC experience. The next big event was spending 2 days in one of the northern mud-hut communities. WOW. This will BY FAR be the highlight of my trip. The people were so warm, wonderful, joyous, and friendly - I really can't describe. This was TRUE Africa. We also spent a few hours doing some traditional dancing with the local people, so I've drastically improved my dancing skills (HAHAHA) - but I don't think I'll fit in at the nightclubs in Canada with this type of dancing!!! But it was really wonderful. ...and that's all I'll say about that for now...

My mom has pointed out to me that (alike my favourite older brother), I always end my emails with "I have so many stories to tell you, I don't have the time but I will tell you later" but that I never go back and tell the stories. It's true - there's always too much to say!! But indeed, I have been keeping a journal. As with everything else, I haven't always had time to write, but I've been sure to keep a summary of each day's events, as well as the 'random Ghanian facts' which I'll have to share once I get back to Canada. Now for some of the questions... No, I'm not that tanned...lol...I'm sure most of my friends will look more like they've been to Africa than I do...but I'm a sunscreen goddess, so I don't mind. Yes, the sun sets quite early - it's dark around 6:30 pm - but yes, it does cool down at night. The weather, however, has been far from unbearable. In fact, often it's been great! I'm sure Canada's had some hotter days than I've had here. The inevitable fruit question!! YES THE FRUIT IS FABULOUS!!!!!!! ...particularly the pineapple, ironically! It happens to be my favourite...

Okay, time is almost up, so I'll have to finish answering the rest sometime soon. But know that as always, I am so appreciative of the emails you send - it really does make the time here much easier, particularly on the rough days.

But, I will see/talk to you soon.

Love and hugs to all,

Teresa

the monkey who stole and ate our bananas

elephant!!

mr croc

dancing with the locals - what fun!

hanging out with the Chief of this local village and some of his 'crew'

babies babies babies

Ghanian greetings to you all again,

As always, I hope this email finds you well and enjoying the summer weather while it lasts. ...and how quickly it will end - time sure flies!!! I've had an eventful week - and I don't remember when I wrote last, so figured it was time. As usual, I'm running short on time, but will try and give a brief glimpse into all life's goings here.

I WONDERFULLY was able to have lunch with Rosemary, Jonathan & Heather (the 3 others from Kingston/Bethel that have been here in Ghana) and had a really refreshing time. It was so nice to catch up, go for a little walk, share some feelings/stories with fellow 'pants' wearers, 'soccer' players, partakers of 'fries' and other Canadianisms that I've learned to appreciate. I'll admit, our time together didn't last long enough, but it was refreshing none the less. And for those Bethel-ites out there, don't worry, Rosemary got a photo!

Today I helped in the delivery of 2 babies at the hospital which was very exciting for me. Things happen a little rushed around here and with only 1 'delivery' room, 2 people delivering at the same time often becomes a bit of an issue. Last week, for instance, one lady delivered her baby on her bed (in her room), with no one there (besides the other patients in the room). When someone yelled that she was about to deliver, by the time we got to the room, the baby had already been born. Today on the other hand, things ran a little smoother as there were fewer patients on the ward. However, the one woman was having a hard time, and had she been in the 'western' world, she would have had a foreceps delivery. However, that doesn't happen here, so after pushing for nearly 2 hours, the doctor (who was called out of surgery) had to pull the baby out. It was quite an experience... Ladies out there, I have REALLY learned to appreciate the western's maternity standards... I know we often say things could be better, but BELIEVE me, the support and dignity a woman gets at home is more than a woman could imagine here. It's amazing to see these women do it all on their own - I've been truly impressed. Leanne, I'll be really interested to compare stories with you!!!

I've definitely become an expert with immunizations and though the standards and techniques are quite different, it's been so nice to both get the experience and be a help. I was able to train some of the other volunteers as well on how to do certain immunizations so that was neat. Last week I was able to spend quite a lot of time in the operating room ("theatre") here and saw some amazing operations. The most amazing was the removal of an ovarian cyst that was nearing the size of a volleyball. It looks like she came out of it fine and will possibly still be able to have children - but once again, I've really come to appreciate the Canadian health care system. This particular woman waited a year to have this surgery simply because of insurance. She could not afford it, so had to apply to get the insurance, etc, so in the end could possibly not be able to have children because of money. It's situations like that, that nearly break my heart, but it's just the reality of the system over here, and deters me even more from the American health care system. The staff here work so hard (often 7/8 am until 3/4 pm without a break) and use every piece of their brain in their work - it's amazing and intriguing to see. Electronic fetal heart monitors are a WONDER.

We generally leave the hospitals around 2 pm, have some lunch, then head off to the orphanage for a few hours (feeding and bathing time). Although they're long days, it's been nice to have a little piece of both worlds.

Next week I head on my trip to Northern Ghana. The details are not known to me yet (haha - this is good for me and my obsession to know things ahead of time, lol) but I'm looking forward to it. I'm a little anxious about the fact that I will know no one else (I didn't end up getting a roommate...long story... and the other girl who came late and had orientation with me and was supposed to travel on this trip with me has ended up with malaria and typhoid fever, so is going home...but don't worry, she'll be just fine!!) - but I have no doubt the trip will be an experience of a lifetime.

Well, I've really got to run, but thanks again for your kind and encouraging words - keep the emails coming!!!

Love and peace to all,

the still unmarried Teresa :)

another volunteer and one of our company's employees in their Ghana jersey'sour daily snack spot
my host mother and me wearing the dress she made me
a common scene - both the billboard and the locals carrying fruit (etc) on their heads

me again?

Indeed, it's me again! I have a few minutes so I thought I'd give another update on my last few days...

I've spend the last 2 days working at a hospital/clinic in an outskirt of Accra. It's been quite an interesting experience, though I've hardly seen or done anything yet. It's hard to describe what it's like - but the place is really nice and quite clean. There are separate buildings for the different 'departments' and everything inbetween is outdoor. Just like you picture, there are people waiting everywhere: sitting under a tent on plastic chairs, waiting in lineups, etc. Jeanette, you're so right about complaints about a bed in the hall at KGH!!! Try having an emergency C-section on the dirt ground!!! Or try keeping a person dry while being transferred from the surgical department to the ward in the poaring rain... But they do fabulously with what they have and the people they have. The staff are SO friendly and hardworking. So far I've gotten to give a bunch of TB and polio injections to nearly 50 newborns, watch a lumpectomy (partial mastectomy) and removal of the lymph nodes (was thinking of you the whole time Aunt Betty!!!) - the tumor removed was absolutely beyond description... I've gotten to do all the vital signs of about 100 pregnant women and bring them into the maternal system. I've gotten to watch a bunch of ultra sounds given, as well as learn how to measure the femur and head circumference to determine the gestational age. I was able to do some assessments of pregnant women, determine the position of the baby...but have yet to listen to the fetal heart beat with one of their devices...but potentially Thursday... I will also be able to see a C-section Thursday and some other interesting surgeries Friday. Although it's a fairly small hospital I'm working at, I'll definitely get lots of experience under my belt. ...and I suppose having mastered feeding, changing, bathing, dressing, and putting to bed over 40 children in less than 2 hours at the orphanage, well, I should be good to go here!! It's been a really nice change to be working with different volunteers, staff, and just doing different things. I will still spend some time at the orphanage after being done at the hospital, but that won't be every day - so it'll be good.

On Friday, in honour of Cathy (my roommate) leaving - 3 of us took a trip to one of the beaches here. It was really nice to just spend some time with these 2 girls (both of whom left this weekend) and although I did, sadly, come out with a sunburn I'm still suffering from, it was totally worth it. But there really is no BREAK here - the entire time, we were constantly approached and often surrounded by people wanting to speak to us. Although it's nice and the people do genuinely mean well, I will admit that it gets tiring. These girls and I were talking about the first thing that's going to be done when we get home: walk down the street and enjoy the feeling of not being stared at. It's funny - I feel bad saying that, because they're so friendly and welcoming, but it's amazing how a small retreat like that can make a world of difference...

Okay, I'd better get going - but thanks as always for your encouraging emails. Although it's hard to believe I've been here over half my time now, I'm really excited to, in exactly 4 weeks, be able to see and catch up with some of you. So until next time my friends...

Love to all from Africa,

Teresa

our sand 'castle'...which inspired the question of "what is the meaning of this" by many of the locals...which lead to the sandcastle's eventual destruction

orphanage waiting room

giving infant immunizationsthe children in my home

quick hello

Hello again to all,

Well, I have (mostly) recovered from my sickness, FINALLY. I was able to eat my full breakfast this morning, so I figured that was a great sign. I don't have much time to write now, but I just wanted to let you know all was better. I as always have lots of stories to tell - but they will have to wait. My roommate left to go back to the UK on Friday evening, so that was really sad for me - I will miss her a lot!!! Thankfully I get a new roommate tomorrow night, so hopefully she and I will get along well. Time will tell I suppose... My trip up to Ghana's north has been rescheduled for a few weeks from now - so it looks as if I'll be starting at the hospital tomorrow. I don't know any details yet, but am excited to have this new opportunity - an eyeopening experience, I'm sure. Because of the unknowns of the week, I don't know what my internet access will be like this week - but I'll let you know how it goes when I get a chance.

I think I've started to feel a bit of 'culture shock' so I ask that you'd pray for that. I don't know whether it's just a mixture of having been sick, my roommate leaving, tiredness, getting tired of the food, the many unknowns, etc - but I feel ready for a break of some sort, so this new change in jobs is welcome and hopefully will be refreshing in some way. I look forward to a potential dinner with some fellow Kingston-ians next week and hope that will also be refreshing.

Okay, gotta run - but hope all's well with you at home.

Cheers and hugs to all,

Love,

Teresa

african sickness

Hello again to all,

I hope this email finds you well. Thanks for the continued emails and birthday wishes - it was an interesting day, to say the least, haha. I don't think I've told you, but I've been rooming with one of the other volunteers, so she was so sweet - snuck around to get me a birthday cake and plan an evening out, so that was nice (although we all know how much of a non-partyier I am...thus why it was 'interesting'). We also went out for a 'western' birthday lunch - boy, it was really nice to have some good 'ol western food, haha!! My host mother (what a wonder she is!!) made quite the feast in the evening and I was instructed to bring my friends over. It was great! I was to have a traditional Ghanian birthday feast on Sunday, but for the past few days I have pretty much been in bed with some sort of sickness - the sickest I've been in probably 6/7 years! Oh dear... I've been well taken care of, though, and am feeling much better today (enough to walk an hour to the internet cafe and spend some time at the orphanage!). Hopefully tomorrow I'll be completely back to normal. We're not sure if it was some sort of food poisioning (which I don't think it was - it just doesn't make sense) or just a general sickness (my best guess, especially considering that a number of kids from the nursery at the orpahange have been sick), but I'm definitely glad to be feeling better. It for sure wan't malaria though - so don't worry Mom!!

On a better note, I was able to attend a traditional African wedding on Saturday!! Although I didn't know the bride or groom and the ceremony lasted over 2 1/2 hours, it was definitely one of the best weddings I've ever been to!! haha It's nearly impossible to describe the beauty of it - but it was a Catholic wedding, with the bride being from a northern Ghanian community. There was a choir, a tribal band, and a WHOLE LOT of dancing! And the church looked absolutely stunning. At one point, one of the priests was dancing with the bride - it was pretty hilarious. One of the other volunteers got a short video, so I'll have to post it on my blog once I get home. The most hilarious part of the wedding was when it was time to 'kiss the bride' but the groom didn't know what to do with her veil. At one point we thought he was just going to dive under the veil and kiss her - haha, it was great fun. Finally after some explanation on her part, he was able to lift the veil over her head and tuck it back... I'll admit, it beat Matt saying Megan at the wedding - so it looks like you're off the hook now Matt!!! hehe We also stayed for part of the reception, spoke with some of the drummers, etc - it was really interesting to learn about some of the traditional dances that were done, the bride's family dance giving her away to the groom's family, etc. Really quite amazing.

My roommate leaves to go back to the UK this Friday, so I will be very sad to see her go. It's been so nice to have someone else to share meals at the table with (the family generally doesn't eat at the 'dining' table), someone my own age around to chat with, and just generally relate to more easily... I've requested another volunteer to come stay with me, so we'll see if that happens... Only time will tell!

Well, as always, there's lots more to say, but I've better cut it off here. But thanks again for all your prayers and encouraging words (especially towards me not being married yet!! haha) - I'll admit, especially while sick, I was missing the comforts of 'home' - but my time here is nearly half done and I really am enjoying it.

With love and hugs to all,

Teresa

marriage proposals

...yes, that's right - MARRIAGE proposals!! Although this comes as no surprise, it is quite amusing EVERY time it happens (which is nearly a daily - if not more - occurance)... The conversations often go something like this: "Akwaabo (welcome)" "Thank you - how are you?" "I'm fine thank you. What is your name?" "My name is Teresa. It's nice to meet you." "Oh Teresa - like the first lady (the president's wife or something like that...)! Teresa, would you marry me?" hahaha To which I try and come up with some sort of witty response, which they do not accept... Good times, good times. Today I had a 36 year old man trying to persuade me into marrying him - he said he could cook, drive, had a good job, knew that love and human beings came before money, etc - but when I asked him if he played the guitar, he said no, so I told him "sorry! Don't quite fit my standards..." HAHA Good fun.

This weekend I (along with the rest of the volunteers who are here now - 18 of us in total, all but me are British) took a trip to Ghana's Cape Coast. There, after a long and crammed 'mini-bus' ride (like the tro-tro here, which is their bus) we went to Kakum National Park where we did the canopy walk (so fun!!), but unfortunately it was raining so the monkey's weren't out. From there we went to a hotel where spotting crocodiles is an attraction, but unfortunately the crocodiles were sleeping and fully fed for the day, so they weren't out. After checking into our hostel and having dinner (chicken and rice...again!), we spent the evening at the local petro station (haha) where there was a bar and music. The power was out, but they wanted us to stay and dance so they got the generator going and then the party started! It was some good fun - those Ghanian boys sure like to DANCE! After not enough sleep, we got up and had our breakfast and then set off for Cape Coast Castle, which is one of the castles where the slave trade was done. This particular castle was built and run by the British. WOW, what a humbling experience. The harsh way these people were forced to live is just unbelievable - truly unbelievable. I encourage anyone who hasn't seen it yet, to see Blood Diamond. It will give you a small picture into the way African's lived during that time. We also got to see some fisherman hard at work pulling in the nets, going out on their canoe's, etc which was amazing. After that we travelled to another town to see Elmina Castle, which was a larger, older slave trade castle - one that the Portuguese built. Much of the same story, SLIGHTLY better conditions, and again, very humbling. We also walked around the harbour of this fishing town for a little which. So many ask for money, and so many need it - it's so hard to turn them down and keep on walking. Some of the conditions of these homes, their clothing, etc was just so awful. I'm seeing these things with my own eyes, talking to these people with my own mouth, shaking their hands with my own hands and it is unbelievable. It's hard to even fathom how someone can live like that - but ultimately, it's because I've seen and lived with SO much more. Ignorance REALLY is bliss. I don't think I've said much about Accra, either, so maybe I'll talk briefly about that...

Accra, the capital city of Ghana, is where I'm living. Ghana itself is said to be one of the, if not the most well off African country - and this is quite evident in Accra. Much of the city is quite developed and there are many, MANY nice houses, roads, places to eat, etc. There are some (jampacked, dirty) areas that are quite poor - but much of this city is not that way. The house I'm living in (which pretty much is as good as it gets - how lucky I am!!!) has both running water (a HUGE luxury here) and electricity, with a generator so that there is power for the bi-daily power outages. My host mother is a retired Civil Servant and her husband was a wealthy man, so they have done very well for themselves. I'd like to talk more about her - but that will have to be another time. ...but anyway, we are very lucky. So for me to leave Accra for the first time this weekend and see what the rest of the contry looks like was very good. It's so humbling to drive by, in a nice bus with food and water, and see these mud huts, shacks built with sticks, where many of the homes only have partial, broken roofs. There are people selling things at the side of the road and they try to sell everything to you. And then when you get off the bus, it's amazing to see the children coming running towards you and try and be brave enough to be the first one to touch or talk to the 'obronni' (white person). What an experience... What do these poor, starving Africans have that we, wealthy North Americans (and British) don't? I really don't know - but it's evident. In a few weeks time I take a tour around Ghana and will visit some of the northern villiages and sites - it'll be neat to share some of those stories.

Well, this email is plenty long and my time is up, so I must go to bed. But thanks again for your notes - I really, really appreciate hearing from you. Although it is wonderful being here, it's so nice to hear from those back home.

Blessings to you all,

your non-married (hehe),

Teresa