Today is our last full day in Ho. We will leave here for Accra and the airport tomorrow after lunch. Even though our flight is not until 9pm and the trip is about 2 1/2-3 hours we have to make sure we allow enough time in case we have any tro tro breakdowns or if our tro tro takes a while to leave. Tro tros don't leave at a designated time....unfortunately, they leave for their destination only when the vehicle is completely (crammed) full of people. This means that we could wait several hours in the tro tro before it fills with enough people or it could leave five minutes after we board. It is all about luck! When I left last time for the airport I waited over three hours and was convinced I would miss my flight (I didn't). If we our lucky and do get to Accra early we plan to check out their cultural market for some last minute reminders of Ghana.
There really aren't a lot of places in Ho to get gifts or 'souvenirs' (not your typical tourist trap...but Mom is still looking for a shot glass that says Ghana on it for a coworker???? Good luck!). We shopped a bit at the market here which is huge on market day. Market day occurs every four days, on that day people from the surrounding villages in the region travel to Ho to sell and buy goods (on the off days there are still some vendors from this area). At least 99 percent of the items for sale at market are just your basic necessities: produce, fish, soap, fabric, clothes, etc. Then there are a few stands that sell Ghanaian beads (I brought some of these home last year) and that is about the only souvenir thing you can get. Today we are going to the two other shops in town that have wood carvings and jewelry hoping will find some other fun things (by the way Hilary, if you are reading this, we got ripped off in Jamaica on those wood carvings!). While shopping at market I got to test out my bargaining skills and had some good luck! For most items in Ghana you can bargain a price especially for yevus because the person selling the item always quotes a more expensive price when we ask! Mom did well in the market though it is a very busy, crazy place with tons of people carrying heavy items on their heads, narrow aisles, and rocky dirt paths. I did have to hold her hand through many places which got us even more looks than normal but she held her own and we actually got to shop for about an hour or so with out her freaking out (which is what I was expecting!).
Yesterday I traveled to Accra and back to take little Peace to her new home (that is six hours spent in a tro tro for one day!!!!). It ended up just being Peace and me traveling (Mom volunteered the two of us to go and then immediately started making excuses why she shouldn't go....she is a little scared of the tro tros I think). But it all ended up working really well and made Peace's leaving much easier (I think) on everyone. For her I think it was a little exciting to be traveling just with me, for the kids they got to watch her leave with me knowing that I was coming back, and for me it eased my mind greatly to see where she will be living and to get to spend that time with her. I definitely felt like a mom taking her (I had snacks for us on the tro tro [only thanks to MY mom for packing them with me], I carried her heavy bag, made sure her dress looked nice when we got there, etc). She and I just happened to get off the tro tro at the airport junction and when the driver was getting her suitcase down he asked if we were leaving Ghana today, which Peace just loved. Afterwards she said 'he thought we were both going to America together!' I wish! Her new home though really is incredible. The whole time I kept thinking in my head, Peace just may end up as a little Ghanaian Annie! The little orphan that is being taken in my Daddy Warbucks! I met the man and talked with him for a while. His wife in the US right now for business. They have a house in Washington DC and both worked there for over 20 years. He was the Director of the Smithsonian and now works for the World Bank; she works for IMF and was one of the first women in Ghana's parliament. There house is gated with security and just beautiful. They have drivers and two cars. I got to ride around yesterday in a air conditioned Lexus SUV (it didn't seem right)!!! Let me just tell you, Ghana looks a whole lot different when you are riding in a Lexus! I also got to see Peace's sister Patience and spent several hours with both girls in the house. It was just the three of us so I was able to ask Patience a lot of questions (she has been with this family since May) and really do feel like this is a good family and amazing opportunity for both of them. She seemed very happy. They both will start boarding school this week and Patience has been told by the woman that is she receives good marks (grades) she will get to travel to the US with them! I am so excited, I already told the woman and the girls that Patience and Peace can come stay with us anytime they come to the US on their breaks from school! Just like camp....camp in the US! I do hope that they both are happy and the opportunity with this family really is as good as it seems. They deserve to finally have this security and bright future. With names like Peace and Patience, just imagine what they may be able to do in and for this world one day!
I will be posting some more pictures soon (maybe after we get back).
My mom also has an update!!!!
Hello everyone,
Today is our last full day here in this wonderful place and we have still so much to do. I have had an awesome time having my daughter share this experience with me and wanting me to be here with her. This has been everything I expected and more; I should say better than I expected. Most of you that I talked to before I left knows of my concerns of adapting; such as the heat, sleeping, the food, and of course my appearance. Just to let you know the update: the weather has been surprisingly cooler (oh yes, I have had my sweating days; thank God for my fans that I brought.) My bed has been very comfortable (of course, the ceiling fan has helped immensely.) The food: the ladies have been so gracious to us, preparing lovely dishes without all of the spices (my stomach is so appreciative.) And finally, my appearance: okay I brought a big straw hat (thank God I have not had to wear it; my hair as actually behaved itself, and I have been able to wear
my make-up (thank God otherwise I would have scared these poor
little children.)
So other than my little episode of not feeling well, I have felt great and have been able to keep up with Alicia (although she has had to hold my hand every once in awhile when walking in the evening). It is very dark here and the sidewalks or streets are not all very smooth. My worst thought would be falling and not being able to go back to work. Everyone here wants to know if I will be coming back sometime; I tell them possibly but right now I have to go back to work, so I can save more money. Of course, they think I am so wealthy because I am a yevu (white girl). Oh and let me tell you just how white I am here; these little white legs have never been so white!!!
As you have read in the blog, the children have been leaving this past week and it has been very hard to witness. I asked myself the other day when the fist boy left, if maybe I would rather have not come knowing I would see this; now I know that we were meant to be here at this time. The kids are so innocent and loving here. I have loved all of the hugs and yes sometimes little kisses; and know in my heart that I will never forget them. One of the older girls told us that we are the only volunteers that have every brought so many things for them; maybe all of these toys and clothes helped them keep their little minds off of the changes that are going on here at least for a little while; I pray it did. And I hope they also never forget Sister Alicia and Momma Carol and our love for them all.
I will see and talk to you all when I get back. Pray for a safe journey for my Alicia and me. Thank you for all of your support and prays. My last request from all of you is to please keep these children in your prayers. God bless all of you.
Carol
