Richard outside the Elmina Castle
Monday, February 28, 2005
The Journey Continues
What a tremendous, memorable and life-changing journey I've had going to Africa for the first time. Most of my fears and expectations came true. I got sick, was hungry, thirsty, hot, homesick and at times felt culturally isolated.
But I also experienced growth in practically every aspect of my life: personally, mentally, physically and spiritually. It is an experience I am so glad I had the opportunity to obtain. I would readily do it again, and I am looking forward to my next trip there.
Since arriving back to the US, I've been experiencing a missing or longing for Ghana. Strange. Maybe it is the people? Each person I met was so giving, so sincere. Maybe it is the experiences? The adventure of seeing and learning so many new things.
Either way-- I opened my heart and my spirit to the people and the experience and now that I'm back I'm already feeling restless. The spiritual side of me, the soul part felt a connection to the "mother land".
Richard, a young man that we met selling sea shells at Cape Coast outside of the Elmina Slave Castle reminded me that we are one people and that I am living in exile. That made me stop and think. We are one people. All people come from the same original source. We are all connected.
Africa is my land, my country and my home. I don't know much about it. But I am learning. The journey continues.
But I also experienced growth in practically every aspect of my life: personally, mentally, physically and spiritually. It is an experience I am so glad I had the opportunity to obtain. I would readily do it again, and I am looking forward to my next trip there.
Since arriving back to the US, I've been experiencing a missing or longing for Ghana. Strange. Maybe it is the people? Each person I met was so giving, so sincere. Maybe it is the experiences? The adventure of seeing and learning so many new things.
Either way-- I opened my heart and my spirit to the people and the experience and now that I'm back I'm already feeling restless. The spiritual side of me, the soul part felt a connection to the "mother land".
Richard, a young man that we met selling sea shells at Cape Coast outside of the Elmina Slave Castle reminded me that we are one people and that I am living in exile. That made me stop and think. We are one people. All people come from the same original source. We are all connected.
Africa is my land, my country and my home. I don't know much about it. But I am learning. The journey continues.
Sunday, February 13, 2005
West Africa-- An Experience of a Lifetime
It's hard to believe our West African trip is coming to a close. It is sunday afternoon and we are leaving on Tuesday morning, to arrive back in the US on Wed.
This trip has been such a rewarding experience. All the sights and sounds and smells and sensations are indelibly planted in my mind.
I have been outside my comfort zone in so many areas.
I've sampled the local foods such as Fufu, a specialty dish made by pounding plantain and casava togehter with a wooden pole till it forms a rubbery consistency. This is taken with peanut soup call ground-nut soup and dried tilapia fish. --Very interesting flavors.
The local music is beautiful. The rhythms and harmonies, I really enjoy. The art work and clothes of the locals reflect a rich and colorful culture.
Some of sites we visited included the Big Tree, where a very big tree, the biggest in the region, towers many feet in the sky; a cocoa plantain and factory where chocolate is grown and made; the Palace and Musuem of the Ashanti Kings; and the Elmina castle, the largest slave holding site in Africa.
I crawled into the room called the "place of no return". It was a small dark windowless "cell" that had a small opening leading to the ocean. It is the place where thousands of slaves boarded ships bound for the Americas and the Caribbean.
But I must say, the most memorable experience of West Africa is the people. I have been truly blessed and touched by the kindess, generousity and sincerity of everyone I've met. I did not expect to make any "real" or meaningful friendships while here, especially since our stay is so short, but I must say, I will miss the people I've met and have had the pleasure of making lasting friendships.
This trip has been such a rewarding experience. All the sights and sounds and smells and sensations are indelibly planted in my mind.
I have been outside my comfort zone in so many areas.
I've sampled the local foods such as Fufu, a specialty dish made by pounding plantain and casava togehter with a wooden pole till it forms a rubbery consistency. This is taken with peanut soup call ground-nut soup and dried tilapia fish. --Very interesting flavors.
The local music is beautiful. The rhythms and harmonies, I really enjoy. The art work and clothes of the locals reflect a rich and colorful culture.
Some of sites we visited included the Big Tree, where a very big tree, the biggest in the region, towers many feet in the sky; a cocoa plantain and factory where chocolate is grown and made; the Palace and Musuem of the Ashanti Kings; and the Elmina castle, the largest slave holding site in Africa.
I crawled into the room called the "place of no return". It was a small dark windowless "cell" that had a small opening leading to the ocean. It is the place where thousands of slaves boarded ships bound for the Americas and the Caribbean.
But I must say, the most memorable experience of West Africa is the people. I have been truly blessed and touched by the kindess, generousity and sincerity of everyone I've met. I did not expect to make any "real" or meaningful friendships while here, especially since our stay is so short, but I must say, I will miss the people I've met and have had the pleasure of making lasting friendships.
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Ghana, A People Wealthy with Kindness
My Dear Friends,
I hope all is well with you. Thank you for your continued prayers and well wishes. This has been and continues to be an interesting and memorable experience.
The country (the part we've seen so far is extremely poor.) In the town of Akim-Oda many people live in small wooden houses made of scrapes of wooden boards with a galvanize sheet as a roof. The roof is nailed to the boards or in some cases, stones or other piece of scrap metal is used to keep the roof in place. In these homes there is no electricty or running water. The more fortunate ones live in cement block houses, similiar to the Caribbean. Where several families (or exended family) all live toghether. Most of cooking is done outside on coal pots.
Despite this, the people are very generous and friendly. They have gone out of their way to make us feel welcomed and as comfortable as possible. They willing share the little they have and would rather go without something if giving it away helps another. We have been blessed with gifts of honey and fruits such as oranges and bannanas from the locals.
Mom, Dad and I are all glad we came. It has given us the opportunity to appreciate the basic things in life, like food and water.
I'm experiencing the joy of giving from a people who give so much.
I hope all is well with you. Thank you for your continued prayers and well wishes. This has been and continues to be an interesting and memorable experience.
The country (the part we've seen so far is extremely poor.) In the town of Akim-Oda many people live in small wooden houses made of scrapes of wooden boards with a galvanize sheet as a roof. The roof is nailed to the boards or in some cases, stones or other piece of scrap metal is used to keep the roof in place. In these homes there is no electricty or running water. The more fortunate ones live in cement block houses, similiar to the Caribbean. Where several families (or exended family) all live toghether. Most of cooking is done outside on coal pots.
Despite this, the people are very generous and friendly. They have gone out of their way to make us feel welcomed and as comfortable as possible. They willing share the little they have and would rather go without something if giving it away helps another. We have been blessed with gifts of honey and fruits such as oranges and bannanas from the locals.
Mom, Dad and I are all glad we came. It has given us the opportunity to appreciate the basic things in life, like food and water.
I'm experiencing the joy of giving from a people who give so much.
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