once again, lots to write
This weekend we went to the slave castles in El Mina and Cape Coast. Architecturally they were absolutely beautiful, but once we knew the history of it, even the balconies seemed evil. Once again, I have pictures. I think the most moving part of it was a plaque that a past Ghanian president had put up saying, "In everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who returned find their roots. May humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this." Some people cried, some didn't. I felt like I should, but oddly enough felt like some people may look at me as if I was crazy because I'm neither African nor African-American. Still, I was moved. The one thing that really struck me was the hub and buzz of city life that surrounded the castle just a few feet outside the entrance. There were fishing canoes, market places, street vendors, goats and a myriad colors and sounds. Life coexisting with history. This place is just a place. What's most important is that we never ever forget what happened.
There was a festival in the town that day too, and LOTS of people all over the streets. Three kids in our group got pickpocketed, and more came close (including one ripped purse strap). Someone had his fingers in my purse trying to undo the zipper, but I saw him before he could do anything and pulled his hands out of it. Poopy. Total loss: one purse strap, one wallet with 60,000 cedis and credit cards, and two cell phones. Bleh. Still, it was fun. That night a bunch of us went swimming in the hotel pool in our clothes since most of us forgot bathing suits.
The next day we went to Kakum National Rainforest to do the canopy walk up in the trees. It's a series of 7 narrow bridges with ropes on the sides (so you'd have to try really hard to fall out). Gorgeous. Too bad we didn't see any monkeys, but we will in a few weeks (Monkey Sanctuary!). Then to the crocodile pond (oh, and the Crocodile Hunter died!!), where we took pictures and ate lunch. More rice.... *sigh*
Sunday night our power went out and we had about 17 people in the house. So we lit candles (we only had two) in our living room and told ghost stories (or anything creepy) for about 2 hours until we were all sufficiently terrified and went to bed, making sure our roommates were with us. Fun times.
The malaria meds really are affecting me. Those who know me KNOW I already have vivid dreams, but this is intensifying them. Lots of dreams of crazy things that I don't like, and I often wake up incredibly relieved that they weren't real (cuz they're realistic... blah). Luckily, the bad effects, like halucinations, etc, start happening within the first two weeks, and since I've been on it for 4 and haven't had those yet, I'll be just fine.
And not to jinx anything, but ya'll know how I kinda get sick a lot, right? NOTHING HAS HAPPENED TO ME YET! Not even traveller's belly! And basically everyone else in the group has had something. We're starting to get our first strings of malaria in the international students, but as long as I'm good with my meds, I'll be ok.
Once again, I felt like I had more to write than just stating events, but oh well.
Oh, my Qur'anic studies class is amazing. I love how objective our Professor is... everything is done logically. It's wonderful.
Still waiting to hear from a few kids... though I did hear from one person I was waiting for.
Love ya'll.
There was a festival in the town that day too, and LOTS of people all over the streets. Three kids in our group got pickpocketed, and more came close (including one ripped purse strap). Someone had his fingers in my purse trying to undo the zipper, but I saw him before he could do anything and pulled his hands out of it. Poopy. Total loss: one purse strap, one wallet with 60,000 cedis and credit cards, and two cell phones. Bleh. Still, it was fun. That night a bunch of us went swimming in the hotel pool in our clothes since most of us forgot bathing suits.
The next day we went to Kakum National Rainforest to do the canopy walk up in the trees. It's a series of 7 narrow bridges with ropes on the sides (so you'd have to try really hard to fall out). Gorgeous. Too bad we didn't see any monkeys, but we will in a few weeks (Monkey Sanctuary!). Then to the crocodile pond (oh, and the Crocodile Hunter died!!), where we took pictures and ate lunch. More rice.... *sigh*
Sunday night our power went out and we had about 17 people in the house. So we lit candles (we only had two) in our living room and told ghost stories (or anything creepy) for about 2 hours until we were all sufficiently terrified and went to bed, making sure our roommates were with us. Fun times.
The malaria meds really are affecting me. Those who know me KNOW I already have vivid dreams, but this is intensifying them. Lots of dreams of crazy things that I don't like, and I often wake up incredibly relieved that they weren't real (cuz they're realistic... blah). Luckily, the bad effects, like halucinations, etc, start happening within the first two weeks, and since I've been on it for 4 and haven't had those yet, I'll be just fine.
And not to jinx anything, but ya'll know how I kinda get sick a lot, right? NOTHING HAS HAPPENED TO ME YET! Not even traveller's belly! And basically everyone else in the group has had something. We're starting to get our first strings of malaria in the international students, but as long as I'm good with my meds, I'll be ok.
Once again, I felt like I had more to write than just stating events, but oh well.
Oh, my Qur'anic studies class is amazing. I love how objective our Professor is... everything is done logically. It's wonderful.
Still waiting to hear from a few kids... though I did hear from one person I was waiting for.
Love ya'll.