So I've just arrived in Accra, Ghana and am feeling strangely in a familiar place. As soon as I stepped off the plane I could SMELL and FEEL the water in the air. This is why I love to be close to the water! My mother says that Ghana is the place of my ancestry. She knows this because a particular blood disease that is prevalent in my family were traced back to this part of the world. She says this is easily recognized by the craving for red dirt that is found in certain parts of the world.. and the first thing that I noticed from the plane. I feel I am among friends.. or better yet.. FAMILY.
I have been traveling for a little over 24hrs and am exhausted but energized in a certain way. I flew from Cincinnati ---> Chicago ----> Frankfurt, Germany ----> Accra, Ghana. We are staying at the Salvation Army Hostel for the night before traveling by tro tro to the village leaving at 4:30 am. I am told that the Hostel costs approximately 6 Ghanian Cedis a night which equates to probably about $3 or $4 for a room that sleeps 7.. so that should give you an idea about the quality of the place.. But when in Africa.. I feel blessed and am certainly not complaining. I originally thought that the woman at the currency exchange made a mistake when she gave me over 370 cedis for my $260 American dollars.. last I heard the exchange rate was 1 to 1.. but apparently that is no longer the case. A blessing for me nonetheless but not so great for the African economy.
I am sitting in an internet cafe which costs a cedi an hour.. the rest of our group is at a soccer game. I came in a little later so was unable to go but look forward to meeting them all at dinner. Our group leader, Devon, has told me that the girls are really excited to see me in particular which makes me smile. I sent them a picture of me in a purple dress with pearls, they probably don't get the opportunity to meet very many Black Americans. I am anxious and excited to meet them as well and settle in the village for the next few weeks. What an incredible journey.. everything is going well and God has blessed me with all that I have asked for and more. I am looking forward to growth and transformation.
I have been traveling for a little over 24hrs and am exhausted but energized in a certain way. I flew from Cincinnati ---> Chicago ----> Frankfurt, Germany ----> Accra, Ghana. We are staying at the Salvation Army Hostel for the night before traveling by tro tro to the village leaving at 4:30 am. I am told that the Hostel costs approximately 6 Ghanian Cedis a night which equates to probably about $3 or $4 for a room that sleeps 7.. so that should give you an idea about the quality of the place.. But when in Africa.. I feel blessed and am certainly not complaining. I originally thought that the woman at the currency exchange made a mistake when she gave me over 370 cedis for my $260 American dollars.. last I heard the exchange rate was 1 to 1.. but apparently that is no longer the case. A blessing for me nonetheless but not so great for the African economy.
I am sitting in an internet cafe which costs a cedi an hour.. the rest of our group is at a soccer game. I came in a little later so was unable to go but look forward to meeting them all at dinner. Our group leader, Devon, has told me that the girls are really excited to see me in particular which makes me smile. I sent them a picture of me in a purple dress with pearls, they probably don't get the opportunity to meet very many Black Americans. I am anxious and excited to meet them as well and settle in the village for the next few weeks. What an incredible journey.. everything is going well and God has blessed me with all that I have asked for and more. I am looking forward to growth and transformation.
Hello!
ReplyDeleteI will be reading about your experiences as a world traveler from the Village of Harlem with interest.
You indicated that you will be working with the Ghana Health and Education Initiative's Girl's Empowerment Program this summer.
More of our young in the Village need to be involved in this type of experience/program so that they can become more "global" in their knowledge and subsequently more "local" in their activies by applying what they have learned (hopefully new and innovative information) back to their community.
Have a wonderful, educational, inspirational and introspective experience during your travels this summer and please keep posting.
Peace,
FOM [FriendsOfMacombs.com]