this time for africa! waka waka!

Hello! So all the new volunteers in Ghana just had their swearing in ceremony last night. I cannot believe that was me a year ago. Time passes so quickly, even when living in a village with no electricity and running water. I have been thinking lately about how I have changed so I thought I would just write a bit about what has been on my mind. It is for me more than anyone because life changes quickly and soon these musings will be lost, but I hope you enjoy also!

I could not stand the food here one year ago. It seriously baffled my mind how these people survived on these various balls of starches (fufu, banku, kenke, and kokonte) but now I crave them so much. Even in Accra, when I have access to Western food, I need at least one ball of beautiful starch a day to feel complete. ha. What a turn of events! I look forward to returning to my village from traveling so that I can eat these foods with my friends. Also, now when I eat American food, I feel sick whereas a year ago, it was the opposite. I am so happy that somehow my tastes changed (I think in part because there is a point where you get so hungry and it takes so much to cook anything here that you just want any food and then all of sudden, you love it) because their lives revolve around food. It is farm and food so if you cannot partake of this all important factor in their lives, you will miss out on the culture so much. I am so grateful for this change in my tastes and mindset.

One of the most valuable experiences here has becoming a family member of a Ghanaian family in my village. My acceptance into the family evolved over time, but now it feels so good to go home from traveling to see my family again. And they are so happy to see me! I eat dinner with them everyday and if I do not go there, they become upset and wonder why. This experience has changed everything for me. I was speaking to another volunteer about our choice to become so close with these families in our respective villages. We have changed due to this choice and therefore our lives have changed. Of course because of our relationships, it will be so difficult to leave, but I do not want to waste two years of my life because of fear. I learned acceptance, love, and how to care in a different culture and this fills my heart. It is inevitable that with a family there will be conflict so it has been such a learning experience to learn how to effectively and diplomatically deal with conflict in another culture, let alone in a village. In America, if i have a problem, I can just get in my car and GO. My personal and work life are relatively separate. Not so in a village. But I am not one to keep my mouth shut when something bothers me so I have had to learn to deal with conflict in a different, and somewhat improved, way. This has been a very valuable experience...for people to get to know the real me. I am kind, patience, like to laugh, help people, but I do get mad and will tell you if you have done something inappropriate or wrong in my mind. I love my friends here and they love me but they have told me that they know I am kind, but when I get annoyed, I get ANNOYED. ha. They have also told me that I know how to talk to people...meaning if someone upsets me, I will say something. It makes me happy to hear these comments because it would be easy in another culture to just separate yourself from the people because of cultural differences and conflicts or just let yourself become a door mat because these people are essentially the key to your successful existence here. And I am not saying that the relationships I have developed have been easy. Many days I just want to bang my head on the wall and watch reruns of SNL, but this is my life . I am grateful that my life in America is relatively drama free due to my mature friends and my family. Living in a village in Africa is somewhat living in a soap opera set in Coos County times ten. I feel like I was thrown into a pot of boiling water. It has been so eye -opening to learn more about human behavior. I have also learned that I am eternally an optimist and just think people will do good overall. I still believe this, but now I am around my friends all the time and they do not always behave well or like the adults they are so I have had to reconcile my high aspirations with reality and their social and cultural setting and socialization. I have learned how to be patient, forgive, understand that everything eventually works out , and know that This Too Shall Pass.

I have also learned how much I love to dance. Living in Africa is such a wonderful experience. The people here are so beautiful, but regardless of their poverty or difficult circumstances, they all know how to boogey and are so uninhibited. The women here have curves, but flaunt it and dance like they know and believe the truth that they are beautiful. The men also don't let the women steal the show, but bring their moves as well. It has been the best time...and there is more shaking to be had. I cannot wait to go back to my village tomorrow to see my friends and there is a huge funeral (aka dance party till 3 am) so my friends are waiting for my return. :D

Come visit and we will have a blast...just bring your dancing shoes and fitted clothing. haha.

Lindsey