I'm back in Ghana! Actually, I have been back since mid-July from NY so I guess I should say I'm back online in Ghana long enough to post something, yippee!
Upon coming back, a lot of volunteers asked how it was like to be in America. To my surprise, there wasn't much culture shock. At first it was hard to believe that I was actually standing at the Arrival gate at JFK airport waitig for my mother to pick me up. The longer I waited, the harder the reality settled in that OMG this is NOT a mefloquine dream. After the jetlag and 4 days in, I found myself falling back into the old routine one year ago before I left for Ghana. After 2 weeks of good food and great company, I was anxious to gt back to my life as a PCV. And one more week later, I said good bye again for another year to continue my life of living in the not-so-bushy bush. Looking so fly and feeling so fresh, it was right back to "work" for me.
For almost 3 weeks, I was fortunate enough to be an Environment Technical Trainer for the Env't trainee group that just arrived in June 2011. For almot 3 weeks, I was part of their technical training experience to answer their questions ("I don't know.") as we travelled around the country. I'm glad that I had this opportunty to bond with them and be reminded that I was also once so optimitic. Well ok, not as optimitic as they are now but not as jaded as I am today haha.
A week after that was August 30th, 2011, the day of the new group's swearing-in and shocker, Peace Corps 50th Anniversary worldwide. It was actually mandatory to attend the ceremony in Accra so it was time for us 2nd year volunteers to clean the dirt beneath our nails and the dust in our ears and dress up to look PRESENTABLE, can you believe that? PCVs thrive in filth!
Annndd...I guess that's about it. I've been back at site in Kpassa trying to keep my new kitten from eating my face which actually takes up a lot of time. It's full on rainy season and everyone's busy on their farms. Nobody invited me to their Yam festival (to celebrate their new harvest) so meanwhile I've also kept busy by working "hard" on our (almost) completed tree nursery and visiting neighboring villages for possible site development. You know, the usual boring stuff that happens in a PCV's life. Except for Battestar Galactica, which is not boring.
You know you're a PCV in Africa when...
#16: You know you have lost the war but you refuse to give up the battle of you versus the ants.
Upon coming back, a lot of volunteers asked how it was like to be in America. To my surprise, there wasn't much culture shock. At first it was hard to believe that I was actually standing at the Arrival gate at JFK airport waitig for my mother to pick me up. The longer I waited, the harder the reality settled in that OMG this is NOT a mefloquine dream. After the jetlag and 4 days in, I found myself falling back into the old routine one year ago before I left for Ghana. After 2 weeks of good food and great company, I was anxious to gt back to my life as a PCV. And one more week later, I said good bye again for another year to continue my life of living in the not-so-bushy bush. Looking so fly and feeling so fresh, it was right back to "work" for me.
For almost 3 weeks, I was fortunate enough to be an Environment Technical Trainer for the Env't trainee group that just arrived in June 2011. For almot 3 weeks, I was part of their technical training experience to answer their questions ("I don't know.") as we travelled around the country. I'm glad that I had this opportunty to bond with them and be reminded that I was also once so optimitic. Well ok, not as optimitic as they are now but not as jaded as I am today haha.
A week after that was August 30th, 2011, the day of the new group's swearing-in and shocker, Peace Corps 50th Anniversary worldwide. It was actually mandatory to attend the ceremony in Accra so it was time for us 2nd year volunteers to clean the dirt beneath our nails and the dust in our ears and dress up to look PRESENTABLE, can you believe that? PCVs thrive in filth!
Annndd...I guess that's about it. I've been back at site in Kpassa trying to keep my new kitten from eating my face which actually takes up a lot of time. It's full on rainy season and everyone's busy on their farms. Nobody invited me to their Yam festival (to celebrate their new harvest) so meanwhile I've also kept busy by working "hard" on our (almost) completed tree nursery and visiting neighboring villages for possible site development. You know, the usual boring stuff that happens in a PCV's life. Except for Battestar Galactica, which is not boring.
You know you're a PCV in Africa when...
#16: You know you have lost the war but you refuse to give up the battle of you versus the ants.
Some kids who were curious in our nursery and then ended up doing the work.
With my neighbor-friend Tricia at the 50th anniversary of Peace Corps. We are only this clean-looking twice a year. (Photo credit to her.)
Cleo, my new kitten. Oh it feels good to be loved.
[Make your own caption]
At Paga, Upper East Region. Known for their crocodile rides.
I visited a nearby village called Koni and the village chief gave me a chicken and 8 yams. Finally I have my first chicken kill and believe me it won't be my last. I was born for this!
I miss the city.
Like a G6 - Far East Movement
