Sixty-one days ago I arrived in Accra, Ghana unaware of the incredible people, places, and moments I would experience by the end of my time here. This has truly been one of the most amazing experiences of my life. While it would be impossible to select one single moment or aspect of this experience, I would have to say that the people I have met on this journey – from my fellow volunteers and the staff at the clinics to patients at the outreaches and random villagers in town – have touched my heart and my mind in ways that are hard to explain. I have grown immensely during these two months; I have learned so much about myself and what I want to do (or don’t want to do!) with my life. Part of me still can’t believe that I actually did this! I don’t think it’s really going to hit until I get back home (in less than 12 hours!!!). The time has gone so fast, and while I am very sad to leave, I cannot wait to get back to the places and people and food that I love! I have so many memories from my time in Ghana, but here are a few favorites:
• Feeding the Mona Monkeys at the monkey sanctuary in Kumasi
• Almost crashing in many car rides with Seth, Peter, John, and Lucas as the drivers
• Sitting under the waterfall in Kumasi
• Becoming a Ghanaian student for the day at the canopy walk in Cape Coast
• Almost getting into a fight at the art market with a guy who tried to sell me a vuvuzela for 45 cedis! (Can you believe that??)
• Meeting the Irish guys at a random bar on a random corner of a random street in Kumasi one night
• Salsa dancing with Frank at Coconut Groove
• Receiving my first marriage proposal at an outreach with Crystal (I said no)
• Breaking Zahid’s mosquito net after a game of kings during our last week at the Telecentre
• Staying out all night on my last night in Ghana
• Singing “Where My Baby Dey?” in the van on the way back from the Adansi overnight outreach
• Watching Peter get “drunk”
• Playing volleyball at Bojo Beach with that BAD (Big African Dude)
• Eating fufu with Sarah and her family in Kumasi
• Sing “Waving Flag” for days during the first couple of weeks in Accra
• Getting my dress and skirt made
• Watching the Ghana vs. US game at Citizen Kofi
These are only a few of the memories that I will never forget from Ghana. I hope that I will lucky enough to come back again one day, but until then my Ghanaian Journeys will be kept safely in my heart and my mind. I am so thankful for the opportunity to see this beautiful country and the beautiful people in it. I have become a better person because of them.
I love Ghana, and I’m coming home.
