Today was an extremely early day. We got up at 4:30am and
left in the dark from Accra to drive the 2 ½ hours to Asamankese. It will be
longer in a trotro. So I figured that since we would be driving, I would be
able to sleep the whole way...WRONG.
Basically below is what you would be hearing if you were
sitting inside my mind on the drive up to Asamankese:
“opening quote...
-wow it’s dark out, they really should get some better
headlights...we can’t see anything...oh my, there’s a person in front of us and
we didn’t even see them until we almost hit them. Yup, definitely need stronger
headlights.......oooh goodness, he just turned off his brights. He had HAD his
brights on. We are going to die.
-wow there are a lot of potholes in the road. Oh my, they
just go full speed ahead until they get to one and then come to a halt!? Yikes.
Oooh. Nope. They are swaying around each one now...I am going to puke.
-hmm. A toll booth. Oh. There are police men. With guns. Interesting.
-silence is good at 4:30am, right? WRONG. Blaring AM radio
in Twi is better. GAAH.
-Oh look, they have rumble strips to get people to slow down
on their roads too...oh, they are 3inch high, raised bumps that you cannot
drive over smoothly. PERFECT.
I guess I am not getting any sleep like planned? End quote.”
So, being completely honest, I started the day off pretty
sleepy and grumpy. BUT. That being said, the drive was completely worth the end
result.
We got to Asamankese and I can’t put into words how I felt.
Honestly the most awe I have ever been in. It is so amazing and beautiful! The
trees got taller, the bush got thicker, and there are MOUNTAINS here! The trees
are different, there are SO many different kinds; we are in a rainforest! It is
unlike anything I have ever imagined or expected. It is so much bigger and
better!
GAAH. I am so unbelievably excited! My pictures don’t even
do it justice. I wish that everyone could just come and see it for themselves.
And I get to enjoy it for 3 whole months!? I hope and pray that it never gets
old, it never becomes ordinary or usual. I want to always marvel at it.
GOD.IS.AMAZING.
A mountain in Asamankese right near our house!!! |
We drove through Asamankese; there are smiling, beautiful
faces and little tiny goats, everywhere! There is something so beautiful about
a group of people who don’t speak the same language but can share their love
and welcome you through the look on their faces! (the language difference is
also what I am most worried and nervous about!)
We met Auntie Joe and her granddaughter Belinda. We are
staying at Auntie Joe’s guest house (A LADY CARRIED OUR 50LB SUITCASE ON HER
HEAD!!!!!!) and Belinda is cooking for us and teaching us how to cook and buy
at the market for the first 2 weeks there.
We got a chance to walk to the church we will attend, and
see the school too! I’m excited that it’s just a short walk down the road from
Auntie Joe’s.
I can’t even believe I am in Africa...It seems so surreal to
me. I pray that God shows Himself to me in this experience and uses it to teach
me more than I can imagine learning. I pray that I take time for Him and let
Him lead me. Like my dad says, “Let Go. Let God.” I hope that God shows me how
I can help these people, but most of all, I want to just make an impact.
Whether that is through a strong relationship that I build, through teaching,
or even just by smiling at someone everyday. I want to make a difference and be
someone that these women and children come to know, trust, and love.
On the way home, we went to a big market. There were people
everywhere selling a lot of plantains and a few other things. Petra and I tried
our first SUGARCANE! It is delicious, but very very sweet.
IT RAINED. First time since we’ve been here. Didn’t last
long though. Everyone clears out when it rains here, it’s funny. All I wanted
to do was run in it.
We stopped for lunch on the way home at a Ghanaian
restaurant. I am not going to lie, I miss food back home. I have to get used to
the food here, and I am slowly getting less and less excited about it. I have
to get used to the smell too...sometimes it doesn’t make me feel very good. I
am sure that will get better, but for now, a good home cooked meal of roast
beef, mashed potatoes with gravy and corn would be FANTASTIC please and thank
you.
Celine Dion came on the radio. I belted out “Touched by an
Angel” on the way home.
Police can just stop you here, take your license, and make
you pay them to give it back. Ridiculous. Glad I wasn’t the one driving.
Anyways, the beginning of my day was fantastic. Asamankese
was fantastic. The ride home...LONG. 4 hours long. I was very tired, and I’ll
admit, slightly grumpy when I got home. I will just have a good night’s sleep
tonight and make up for it.
oh how heartfelt your post was! The road experience..I concur! Actually, the worst road I've been on is the one to the most beautiful university - Ashesi - I needed massage therapy when I got back to Canada! Asamankese is so green and imagine that this is the dry season they are it - I marvel at the hilltop behind the school and just the air...nice. RE: foods - I hope you listened to me and took lots of Canadian packaged food :) The smells take a lot of getting used to and like Petra said tomatoes are in EVERYTHING! Its like me and mac and cheese...will never get used to the stuff. Belinda cooks awesomely though so you might see quite a difference. Rain story - I know what you mean! Love the rain on my head and that woman carrying your suitcase on her head - stupendous! Awesome post...thanks for the update! Mary
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