On the subject of Friendship...

I like to think that I have made some friends here. Ghanaians are very friendly, and go out of their way to say hello. But yesterday I had a very upsetting experience. I have a friend, let's call him Nana Kojo, and he is one of the few people here I feel somewhat normal around. We were having a conversation yesterday, and he started bringing up how he wants me to help him. By this he means, help him get to America. Apparently, someone from America came to Ghana, and married a Ghanaian to get them into America, then divorced them. But the visa was good, and now that person is now living it up in America. Well, that American was evil, because now every Ghanaian believes that all Americans owe this to them. For two hours I argued with him that I was NOT going to marry him, and that I would like to help him, but it will not be with my ring finger. He was angry, and confused, as to why I wouldn't do him this small small favor, since he was willing to pay for all of it, and said that I was not his friend if I do not want to help him. I countered, that marriage, even if done strictly as a business matter, is not small small, and I do not have to take him back to America with me to be a good friend. I explained that if and when I marry someone, it will be someone I love, and that I do not want to be divorced. Now it's not like I haven't been proposed to before, I'd say I've racked up well over 200 marriage proposals, from men AND women. But that my intelligent, young friend, was willing to sit in my house and argue with me about it for two hours is very upsetting. I asked him why he wanted to go to America, when he has a good job in Ghana. He said America is where he can get rich, even if it is by mopping floors. I also suggested that instead of leaving his country, why not stay and help build Ghana into the country he wants it to be? He kept repeating the phrase 'there are many ways to kill a goat', and I'm still not sure if he was referring to the many ways to go about getting him to America, or a threat of the many ways of killing my dog, Nala. It makes me wonder if I will ever be able to develop a completely genuine friendship with anyone here; one where they are not expecting something in return. Sad.

Word Pictures...

Since I can't find a way to post my pictures, I figured I'd try to descibe in words the scenery here. I recently traveled to the Eastern Region to visit a friend. It's easy to forget how beautiful the country is outside of the cities. Traveling in Ghana sucks, but it is a visually rewarding experience. Here is the romantic version of my 10 hour trip:

Red dirt roads flanked on either side by pink hibiscus trees and bushes dotted with yellow, purple, and magenta flowers lead you out of town. Palm trees full of coconuts and the magical fan trees guide you through a tropical paradise. Dense rainforests full of lush green ferns, thick palms, and rolling hills of bush hide an unknown world. Pass along the coast and smell the salty air, and white sand beaches with leaning palms on the rocky coastline. Brightly painted fishing boats bob in the lagoons in rhythm with the swells, waves crash on the beach. Soon the forests thin and the land flattens, resembling a savanna. Rocky plateaus emerge on either side, reminiscent of Pride Rock, overlooking a vast valley, with tall grasses swaying in the wind and scattered trees. Eventually the tall, green mountains, can be seen in the distance. Winding roads scale the sides, and looking down below only the umbrella trees and massive timber trees reaching to heaven can be seen. They appear to be guarding their mountains, for hundreds of years, demanding awe and respect. Mango trees dot the horizon, with fruit hanging from the branches. Blue skies give way to twinkling stars.
The beauty of this place far exceeds that of any other I've seen.
And I've only seen the southern half, can't wait to go north to the desert!

Disclaimer: The thoughts and opinions expressed in this blog are mine entirely and do not reflect those of the United States Peace Corps.

I realize I have a romantic view of the world, it is the consequence of being an idealist. Nevertheless, I decided to share this essay after it sparked several interesting conversations between friends. I wrote it a couple weeks ago, and hope none take offense. No, I'm not becoming a liberal ;) I claim neither side. I just try to think my own thoughts.


Abstract
Imagine if the world were white and black.
The same, but the opposite.
Ruled by a strong, united Africa,
Central in the world, extending their reach to all other nations.
A land rich in natural resources and beauty,
With a people just as rich in diversity and culture.
What if the black African had colonized white Europe, instead of the other way around?
Would they have laid claims on the land as their own,
Dividing it among themselves, disregarding the borders of the people?
Would they have come in the name of their god to spread civilization and convert the lost?
Would the 'dark', have been the 'light?'
Could it have been so
That they would have taken the white man from his home
To build their nations on his back?
Would Europe be plagued with disease, poverty, war, and corrupt leaders
Puppets used by others to play in a bigger world game?
Imagine a people so reliant on aid that
That they've lost the will to help themselves.
I cannot understand, you see, why it was one way and not the other.
For I could have been living in a nation indebted for eternity,
Or celebrating the triumph of the first White President!
Why is one continent, rich in all ways except money,
So far behind the rest?

I believe the only solution that will heal Africa, is one yet to be determined
By Africans.

Just thinkin to clear my head

The things i miss about home:

-the smells and sounds of fall- it’s crisp, refreshing
- baking and making my favorite apple dishes(pie, cobbler, sauce)
- the excitement in knowing Halloween, my birthday, and Christmas are coming
-seeing my nephews dressed up in their Halloween costumes
- Wawa hazelnut coffee- and not sweating when I drink it
- driving down to college through the valley and seeing the colors of the leaves change on the mountains
- football, eagles, homecoming, marching band shows, bleachers, hot cocoa
- warm, fuzzy, socks
- watching Christmas movies while making cookies
- going for a jog or a walk on a cold day and feeling your lungs burn
- driving
- being able to walk around and feel normal


The things that keep me here:

- the music
-the genuine smiles on people’s faces when they say hello
- the response I get when I say something in the local language. You’d think I just solved global warming!
- the chiseled bodies of gorgeous men that just happen to be EVERYWHERE
- the laughs I give to people when I buy a coconut and eat it the right way
- the little girl that walks me to my taxi everyday
- the breeze
- the crazy lady who walks around the city screaming at nobody and everybody, and seeing a man stop what he’s doing and escort her safely across the street, all the while screaming her head off
- knowing that if I’m lost, or confused, there’s always someone willing to walk me to where I’m going, without asking anything in return
- the coca-cola. made with real sugar, and i'm pretty sure cocaine, cuz its addicting!
-wearing flip-flops everyday and never having cold toes
- fufu and groundnut soup. Mmmm!
- seeing some kid in a vintage 81 T.O. eagles jersey
- being able to buy fish, toilet paper, water, rice, sunglasses, perfume, markers, clothes, towels, yams, bananas, and anything else you can think of off of some girls head on my way home
- the pineapple!!! You buy it on the street and it’s served in a bag peeled, chopped, and with a toothpick all for less than 50 cents!!!!