In Africa, there is always time

"Just relax... just relax"

This is pretty much all we hear from Besa, the country director of our program in Ghana. He's the friendliest guy you've ever met with the typical Ghanaian smile which makes you think half the population is taking prozac. The most important thing Janelle and I have learnt since arriving in Africa, is that there is always time. There is no rush, and no such thing as making a "to do" list. It's how the roll, and it takes some getting used to.

I'm writing on behalf of Janelle because she's at her placement right now at a nursery school called... something. She switched from being a 'professional social worker' (with all the experience she has right?) to teaching little kids. I'm still doing physiotherapy work but the doctor's are on strike right now, so the health sector volunteers got the morning off and are sitting here in an internet cafe. Talking to Besa about my placement, I also hope to be able to set up a program at a local pool (there are 2) to teach some swimming lessons to the kids who frequent it a lot or for parents who want their kids to learn how to swim, so we'll see about that. Also, because we're staying for 8 weeks, we may be able to go to another site (Woe or Akatchi) for a week or so to do some other week. Anyway, that's the news on what we're doing here.

Everyone has been really nice, including the other staff and the volunteers. We stay in a compound just outside of Ho (about a 20-30 minute walk) with about 25 other volunteers. Everyone has gotten really close in such a short amount of time. An example of this is the poo log posted in the bathroom. Everyone, other those who have the guts to share, write the time, the description and their own deep thoughts during their... 'contribution'.

Yesterday, they served grasscutter for lunch, though not many people tried it. It's a large rodent for those who don't know. Speaking of animals,

dog:Mexico
as
goat:Ghana

I've seen one dog so far and it had a collar, otherwise, it's been small goat on the sidewalk, which are really cute, and lots of lizards. No snakes mom, and no big spiders, but lots of mosquitoes at night. During the day it isn't too bad, and there are screens on all the doors, so they hardly get inside.

My new love? COLD SHOWERS.

The first night we arrived, we stayed for a night in Accra in the Beverly Hills Hotel. Where, even though there were bars on the windows and barbed wire on the fence, it is considered a palace because of the air conditioning, tv, stereo and hot water in every room! I was even cold that night! In the house, it's much more hot, with only fans in our rooms, but it's still alright at night. There's a tv in the office which is on all the time because of the World Cup fever and there's always a couple volunteers watching at a time.

Besa, who I mentioned before, likes to talk. And he takes a while to say things so his 'talks' are about an hour or so. He has cool pants though, which we named Besa pants, and we all plan to get a pair in our own choice of bright Ghanaian fabric. Needless to say, Besa is cool.

We've met lots of Ghanaians, including on the plane. We were in the air when the pilot announced that Ghana had won the football game against the Czech Repulic, there was a lot of celebration. Although it wasn't all fun and games, especially when we hit some turbulence and the plane dropped for a long 3-4 seconds. There were many screams and, as we had just gotten dinner, a few chicken casseroles flying through the air. This is why I don't like to fly.

There'll be no pictures in this post, because this computers kind of ghetto, but there's another internet cafe in town that even has a dvd rom. Do you think netflix delivers to Ghana? If anyone is sending mail, know it takes 3-4 weeks to get here, unless you use fedex.

Thanks to people who have left comments! They really brighten our day! We always reply so ask us anything and keep in touch!

Anyway, until next time! Janelle may post soon and share her lovely stories of the Ghanaian children, who are all incredibly adorable.

No malaria or awkward bowel movements yet, but I'll keep you posted haha!
[edited June 21st] Lucky streak promptly over this morning. Janelle is still on her lucky streak - we'll see how long that lasts