63 cedis for 2.3 kg of mozzarella...

Ghana is everything that I imagined and everything that I did not. Being one of the most stable countries and an international hotspot of West Africa, Ghana is a crazy blend of a modern nation still in dire need of development. For example, I can easily get most of the conveniences of a developed country (electricity, flip flops, soda, toiletries) but not all the comforts that I grew up with (paved roads, dairy products, general cleanliness).

Sometimes, the disparity and absurdity of it all slaps me across the face and leaves me spinning in awe. I would take a mental step back, survey my surroundings, and truly wonder where I am. Yesterday I was eating pizza and ice cream at a rest stop outside Kumasi, Ghana’s second largest city. The night before, I was in a monastery on the top of a rocky valley watching a movie as bats flew above my head in the darkness. Today I will be visiting the Kumasi Zoo. Tomorrow I will be back with my host family in Addo Nkwanta, surrounded by malnourished children, goats, and dirt potholes.

I know after training is over, things will fall into a routine as I prepare to settle down for the next two years of my life in Kpassa. From then on, the experiences I will have will be on my own (no more Peace Corgies in summer camp) and I will find myself scrambling for a way to express them to the rest of the world. Yet mere blogging words can never equate the immensity of it all nor can pictures encapsulate the depth of human emotions. I guess ya’ll just got to come and visit :).

Today we went to the Kumasi Zoo, the only zoo in Ghana:



Incidentally, we found this headline later on the same day:

"Where ever you go, there you are."

Well, we are deep into week 7 of training and so far, so good. My Twi language is coming along relatively well and the environment sector has the best training sessions out of all the other sectors. In about three weeks we will be sworn in as official Peace Corps volunteers and I turn 23. I am both elated to finally start my two years of service but saddened to say good bye to all the new friends that I have made. Though I knew nothing of them before training, there is something special about the human bond that forms through spending continuous hours after hours together, experiencing the same stress and revelations. Northern Volta has some of the worst roads in the country so I do not expect to see any other volunteers very frequently. But in the end, it is comforting to know that there are others going through exactly the same experiences and we still have each other to lean on.

Yesterday was one of the most beautiful nights I have experienced. For the past week and a half we were staying at a Catholic monastery surrounded by glorious rocks that rise above the tree line. Last night, we dragged a mattress up those rocks and watched a movie under the moon. Afterwards we pretty much laid up there listening to Oasis and watching the most wondrous clouds I have ever seen, softly kissed by the moon. I realize that joining the Peace Corps is probably one of the best decisions I haveever made.

For lack of better sentence structure, here is a string of word/phrases that reflects my Peace Corps training thus far:

Flip charts. Crackers. Juice boxes. Bug bites. Peace Corgy. Is this Asian proof? Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry. You make my top five. Adon de day… Dallin, monastery voice. Goddamn it, Joe! Forever young, I want to be forever young. What’s love got to do with it? Thoughts pad. Honeymoon photoshoots. Typical ____ behavior. Douchebaggery. The Prophet. Hot. Less hot. Wrap it up, boys.








She is Love - Oasis

Ghana has more potholes than roads

After traveling 12 hours yesterday, I am utilizing internet access to its fullness at the Tamale sub-office.

Glimpse of unpaved roads in Ghana during rainy season. That tree is planted as a warning sign.

Got to scope out the digs during site visit. This subpar picture is taken from my bathroom. I will have two rooms where that clothes line is strung in a compound on the outskirts of town. Yes, that is a satellite dish.

I was taken around town to be introduced to the schools and people I will be working with. These kids are part of a leadership club. They recited me a poem and sung me a welcome song.

Environment group picture taken at the Ambassador's reception couple of weeks ago. Credit to Francesa!

For those interested in mailing me letters/packages (which is all of you right?), it takes at least a month for things to arrive. Concerning price, what I would recommend is picking the lesser of the two options of a flat rate or by weight. I am not missing anything in particular but sauce packets, spices, and sweets (that are individually wrapped!) are highly appreciated :):). Also maybe some pens. And bubbles. Kids love bubbles. Address is on the left side bar!



XOXO

June on the West Coast - Bright Eyes

Site visit aka reality check:

Packed like sardines in a tro tro, there is something inspiring as we drove towards Kpassa in the thickening darkness of dusk, a town glistening with lights like embers in the distance. Maybe I am a romantic or maybe it is the deliriousness brought on by lack of sleep and weariness but already I feel love growing for this gem of a town. This is my site. This is my home.

Kpassa is the capital of the Nkwanta North district. Though its roads remain unpaved (though not for much longer), it is one of the most vibrant commercial centers in the Volta Region. Already on the national power grid with piped water coming in the near future, Kpassa will be facing major infrastructural changes, bringing many opportunities as well as challenges.

Footprints of Realisation (FOR Ghana), the organization I will be working closely with, aims to promote community development through the youth of the district by empowering them mentally, socially, politically, and economically. Only a year old, this promising NGO hopes to raise the standards of education and mobilize resources to improve the quality of life in the Nkwanta North District. Though I am originally requested as an environment volunteer, I am excited to collaborate with the founders and help FOR Ghana achieve its goals. l will truly be grateful if I ever need cooperation and support from my American colleagues in the future!

It has been over a month since I set foot upon this country but know that I carry all of you in my heart. Even though I may fail at keeping in touch with all the people in my life, thank you for the memories and may our paths cross again! Meanwhile, everyone is invited to my home . Did I mention that we have the most amazing sky? Not much beats bucket bathing in the African darkness bejeweled with stars.

Tomorrow, it is back to more traveling and pre-service training. These last couple of weeks before officially swearing in as true Peace Corps volunteers will be stressful, emotional, phenomenal as we come closer and closer to when we have to part with newly made friends and fully embrace our responsibilities as 2010 Ghana PCVs. New challenges await.

Dance party in my host family room.

The obroni exhibit is now open!


My babies.


At church. Sorry for the upside-downness.