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Uh oh, I've done it… I've broken into the Harribo already! And even the Green and Black's supply I had. Flip yesterday was an exhausting day!
The day started well, after a really good nights sleep, a tasty breakfast of fresh fruit, cereal and beans on toast (!) (oops this isn't meant to be turning into a food blog sorry, I think it's just going to be a recurring theme!), and an interesting session on health and hygiene in Ghana (such as how to figure out what you've got when you feel sick - basically it's likely to be malaria, diorroeah, malaria, yellow fever (hopefully not!), diarrhoea malaria, or of course complex malaria, but we won't go into that!).
Then we madea trip to the bank, to collect my bank card that was promptly swallowed when I went to withdraw cash at the machine yesterday (good start!). I naively told my volunteer friends I would be back for lunch, and expected to be joining them by the poolside in a matter of an hour or so. I should have known, in Ghana, it was never going to be that easy! 6 hours later, after a whole lot of ducking and diving over and under the red tape at the bank, and using my carefull learnt negotiation skills with the friendly but powerful bank manager, I emerged with my card, only to realise the reason it got swallowed is because it has bent in the heat, so I won't be using that again. Phew, what a palava! (not to be confused with palava sauce, whihc is another yummy Ghanaian dish).
Anyway, the end to the day has soon swept my worries away, salsa dancing at a local expat hotel, where loads of Ghanaians gather and strutt their stuff around the poolside dancefloor. I have to say their dancing would rival latinos, they simply were amazing. Sufice to say we stayed safely out of the way and danced in our own little corner, so as not to attract attention and totally embarrass ourselves next to these natural professionals!
Today has been full-on training-wise, we have started learning the language which is a lot of fun, (zam zam (good evening!), naaa (you too)!). We have had some discussions about the complex cultural barriers and issues that the groups we will be working with and for (young people, esecially young girls, people with disabilities, people living with HIV/AIDS, and so on), which was eye opening, but also a reminder of the difficulties we will face in all of our posts. This evening me and the other Community Advocacy Volunteers found out more about what we will be doing, seeing as our roles have recent;ly been completely overhauled. It's a really exciting position to be in and I am really looking forward to getting started sometime soon!
It might be a while before I blog again, we have a busy day tomorrow learning more of the language, and visiting the programme office here in Accra. Then we will be making the most of our last night of fun in the big city before we board the early morning bus on Saturday for our journey up north!
Cross your fingers for me that there will be a good internet connection up there, I am dying to skype soon!!!
xxx
- comments
Penny Hi Em, great to see you've got a blog up and running! Sounds like you've been getting into the swings of things, hope its all going well. Try to keep some choc for emergencies yeh!! Keep us updated, and I want to see more photos!! Love that one of you when you're 2 - how cute!! lots of love Pen x
Linda yay! you've arrived and it seems as if you've thrown yourself in at the deep end (with all that food and dancing!). ;-) Keep writing so we (people still enveloped in darkness and cold) can enjoy your adventures too! xxx
Steve (dad) Richardson Message to all of Emmas freinds. As you are all aware she has arrived in Ghana, had a week partying but is now, after a harduous 3 day journey in Zebilla. She sends her apologies but she is unable to get an internet connection at the moment. It is hot - dry - dusty but a very nice village. She hopes to resolve the internet problem shortly and be back blogging as soon as she can. You can get in touch with her by text message if you wish. She sends all of you her love and best wishes and wiil be back blogging as soon as the internet man in Ghana can tape the two wires back together again. Emmas dad
Seetal Jassal Hi Steve, It's Seetal here. If you get a chance to speak to Emma before her connection is up and running could you ask her to download whatsapp on her phone? Thanks! PS... Miss you Em!
Amy Thanks steve - yeah just received a text from her this morning. She said its taken her a while to adjust and is exhausted - buts shes getting there hehe. Hope you are ok? Speak soon xx
Chrisi Thanks for the update, I bet she is super shatted! Bless x sending BIG hugs x
Freya Wagstaff Em, this all sounds really exciting. Spoke to Hannah earlier and she was telling me how much fun you are having already, and also how hot it is. Hope your keeping cool enough. All the best xxx
Linda Do we still text the same number? :-)