Party Party

This morning, we got up, not having any set plans for the day since it is Saturday. We were doing breakfast dishes when a girl came to the window of the kitchen to introduce herself and say hi. Her name was Patience. She had a beautiful smile and was really friendly, and promptly came inside the house and into our bedroom.

Our sunburns have now turned into tans, but the skin is all peeling and we look like we have pigmentation problems it’s so bad. Anyways, this was super funny to Patience, and she proceeded to pick our peeling skin off of our shoulders...sounds gross, I know...but she was having fun and I’m not gonna lie, it felt like a massage, so I did NOT stop her haha.

She was teaching us Twi; pointing to her body parts and saying what they were in her language. I don’t remember even one. Now I realize how hard it is to learn another language orally.

Cynthia called us today and said she found a translator book. She bought it for us and we are going to pay her back; hopefully NOW we can learn some Twi!

This morning, the children from across the street called us over to play. We went over there and had fun climbing the tree, dancing with them to music, and taking pictures. They all want to be in the pictures and they ALL want to have a turn taking one. I will have to limit how often I take my camera I guess, but I never want to miss the adorable moments that they have. I also got spit in the face with water by a child who was drinking it. Gross.

He is dancing on my feet :)

All of a sudden, one of their mothers came out and started hitting them on the back with a tree branch. A little scary. I guess they were supposed to be doing their chores? I know it’s not our fault, and the kids called US over, but I felt guilty for a good 2 hours after that for getting them in trouble...

There was a big party in the courtyard at our place today. Apparently in Ghana, it is tradition that when someone learns a trade (in this case, a lady had learned to be a dress-maker), they have to throw a party for their friends and family to celebrate, and the people bless them. Basically it’s an excuse to party, drink, and dance. I have some ADORABLE videos of some of the best dancing children I have ever seen. Black people really know how to move to music! I am jealous. As soon as they noticed that I had my camera out, the kids would come closer and closer to me, and they definitely showed off their dance moves.

At one point in the afternoon, I had gone outside to watch the children dancing, and join the party and had left Petra inside. She came outside but didn’t see me, and thought I went to town. She decided to go looking for me, locking the door behind her, taking the key with her, and leaving her phone behind. Perfect combination. I went in to get my camera after realizing how cute these kids were, finding myself locked out. I had to climb over the back wall and go in the back courtyard door to get into our room (proving how easy it is to break in to our house when we leave the back door unlocked...note to self, LOCK IT) and grab my camera. Auntie Jo was worried and with the lack of English and miscommunication, I think she thought something serious had happened. It was kinda funny.

Auntie Julie (one of the facilitators at the school, and Auntie Jo’s younger sister) was over watching the party with us and decided to go home. Auntie Jo was going to walk her there, so I tagged along, figuring that we would find Petra on the way. We did, and Auntie Jo was relieved. So parents back home? Don’t you worry, we have a second mother here worrying and watching over us!

We stopped in at Auntie Julie’s house, and had Fanta (yum). She has an orange tree, a tangerine tree, and a palm nut tree in her backyard. Her bathroom is also outside...with a hole dug underneath instead of flushing with water. Mmm. She was a kitten though which I thought was cool (haven’t seen any other cats here yet), and two dogs. Their names are Faith, and Believe...a little hilarious...

We walked to town later on for some exercise, and it’s always nice to see all the people along the way.