Friday, 3 February 2012

In Awe of Asamankese!


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. 

1 comment:

  1. 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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