This too shall pass

Happy Holidays from Ghana!

With the huge amount of Christians in Ghana Christmas is not only celebrated, but it's popular enough that you'll hear Christmas music on the radio and see some lights or a few neon 'God Bless You' signs. Most Ghanaians who know that I'm not Christian are really surprised to hear that I celebrate Christmas. I guess it doesn't make a lot of sense if I think about the origin of the holiday, but Christmas has become a very different kind of holiday for me and my family. That's what it is: family and loved ones appreciating each other and spending time together. From what I've seen of Christmas here, they see more of the religious aspect of it but still spend a lot of time with family and friends. And everyone's buying tons of presents, but I think every country is guilty of that. Especially America. My house in Ghana is decorated with a colorful rug, streamers on the ceiling, a foot-high light-up plastic Christmas tree, and a nicely stocked fridge. Also there are two new members of my host family, Adrum Baako, and Adrumm Mienu (Grace One and Grace Two). Richard bought two puppies to go with our two kittens. I even got an early Christmas present last night from my host dad, a whole box of Corn Flakes!!!

I checked the post office and I think I'll get my Christmas packages after Christmas, bummer, but I'll get them soon!

I arrived late in Dormaa after my trip to Mampong, five days late actually. While I was in Mampong, having a great time celebrating one of the AFSers birthdays for a whole week I had a relapse of Malaria. Or just another strain. Nobody is really sure. It had been two weeks since I last had malaria and I recognized the symptoms almost right away, but really wanted to believe it was something else. I went to the hospital and was diagnosed by a visiting American doctor and was treated with really strong injections and medications this time. They really wore me out, and the injections were the least fun I've had in a long time, but I'm really glad that I had a good, strong treatment to kill the parasite for good.

About the hospital:

-Most hospitals in Ghana don't give you food or water. People can bring it in from outside but hospital staff wont.

-Children and women are put in the same room. The room I stayed in had four adult beds and three small beds.

-One bathroom for all the patients, they also don't supply water to flush, paper, or water to shower.

-Most doctors are trained in Europe and America, or they are European or American.

-Power outages are normal, though the hospital I stayed in didn't have a generator, most do so it's no problem.

-Hospitals have everything from dentists to pediatricians. Normally there are no separate doctors offices, just the hospital.

-The bed that you are given for staying overnight does not include a blanket and pillow.

The night I spent in the Ashanti Mampong Hospital is something I'll never forget.

Even though Malaria hit me pretty hard again I had a great trip to Mampong. It seems my exchange to Ghana is always mixed, things to work through and things to just sit back and enjoy. I'm always grateful for that and for all the support I have at home from my family, my boyfriend, my friends, and even my doctor.

When we arrived in Mampong it was Manuel's birthday so we ate dinner together, gave presents, went out for some drinks with his family, and made plans for the week. During my stay in Mampong I was a guest in Jolien's host family who were more than hospitable, they announced to both me and Dabney that we should stay for a whole month. I'm definitely going back to visit. Spending some time getting to know Jolien was great too, I'm in Ghana, but Belgium has taken on a whole new image in my head since I've met all of these guys. In Jolien'shouse they eat a little differently than mine, more rice and stew where as my host family almost always has yams.

During the week we managed to watch a lot of Lost once the sun went down, climb huge trees behind Manuel's house, have a picnic, make spaghetti, go to a swimming pool, attempt some lemon bars (without an oven), and Jolien and I even went to her schools 'entertainment' and danced with all the students.

Here are some pictures from the trip:

When there's no henna, use markers! My foot art on Dabney and Jolien.

Jolien's host sister, Sallah, she took such great care of us all.

Making spaghetti at Manuel's house!

A beautiful view of Ashanti Mampong.

Jonas giving Manuel his birthday present. Aww, Anisa.

I'm sorry if this post seems a little miss-matched, it seems like so long since I posted last. My great grandmother, Corky Warren passed away the day before last and even though she lived a long, great, full life it took me by surprise. I'm alright now, because as she says "This too shall pass..." and have been letting myself think about her quite a lot. She had me promise before I left that if she did pass I wouldn't come home, that she wanted me to stay. Even if I hadn't made that promise I know the thought of leaving wouldn't have stuck in my mind. I can't be there, I didn't get to say goodbye the way I wish I have, but she'd be happy I was here, taking advantage of this amazing experience.

Once again, thanks for all the support from home. I'm always grateful of the ability to talk to you all as much as I do and keep you in touch, and in the know of all the cool things I get to do and hear the same from you.

I love you Grandma Corky, what an inspiration you are.

Heart

Ghana Will Find Your Heart

After the sun's finished scorching the ground and the people who walk down these dirt streets,

Ghana will find your heart.

Tucked away, underneath layers of "I miss this." and "I want that."

When the brakes of your bike clench, and send a squeal through the air,

a glance upwards and Ghana's sky will find your heart.

The African sun tucked behind towers of illuminated clouds will shine and warm you.

The children walk, unattended down the road, and gape at your skin,

their little fingers grasping a piece of bread, or an unidentifiable toy.

Shouts from a football game cascade over the newly 'weeded' bushes and past the gutters,

they fill your ears but you don't understand the words.

Ghana's language will find your heart.

The children yelling, the adults yelling, the market women yelling

deep sounds, high sounds, words that blend together like poetry

will find your western heart.

Not always will you find the sun,

shining down on Ghana.

Africa is hot, but the brightness is old tin;

sometimes gleaming, sometimes rusted, and hard to see.

In which ever way the sun hits the roads in Ghana,

they bake with an ancient pride.

In whatever way the children stare at you,

seeing you today has been their pride.

The unknown words that meet your ears,

can be nothing but music,

when Ghana's found your heart.

----

An exchange to Ghana is not always easy, but I think anyone who's travelled to West Africa will agree, it's worth it.

Ntomtom

Otherwise known as, mosquito.

Or the evil little bug that gave me Malaria.

Last Tuesday morning I woke up feeling pretty bad. I had a horrible headache and a stomach ache that just wouldn't go away. For the past week I had been feeling really sick to my stomach and I was sure it was because of my anti-Malaria drugs. I had been taking them in the morning and also been grabbing a bit of bread before I rode to school and the prescription said not to take it with food. So instead of taking it in the morning, I took it Monday night. All morning I couldn't really sit up straight, my stomach hurt, my head hurt, and I felt really dizzy. By noon I decided I had to go home. After a few hours tossing around, half asleep at the house I called my host dad and he brought me to the local hospital. The check-up was quick, a nurse just took my temperature, weight, and blood pressure shuffled me over to the doctor and after a quick review of symptoms I was told I had Malaria.

For a Ghanian that's no bigger than saying "You have the flu." but for an American it's kind of upsetting. All that I've heard about Malaria hasn't been very positive! With Malaria being such a regular thing here the doctors know how to treat it and have the right medications, but still for Obruni's it's always a little more tough to handle.

I was given prescriptions that would last three days and was told to return if things got worse or didn't get better. Now, four days later, I'm feeling fine. I'm still a little dizzy and weak but my headaches and stomach aches are gone. I've heard of and talked to people who've had really bad Malaria attacks and I'm thankful mine was so mild.

I have a mosquito net around my bed, I take my anti-Malaria medicine everyday, I even spray mosquito spray on myself (and sometimes our night-security guard, Dramani) when I'm outside late, but there was nothing I could do. The mosquitoes that carry Malaria are normally out once the sun goes down (always six o'clock) and unfortunately that's when my host family makes dinner. So even though I spray myself and take my medicine I have to be more careful being outside when I'm helping out with dinner. Never the less, I've got Malaria now and as much as it's a bummer I know to be more cautious and I hope this is a good warning for other future Ghana AFSers or African travelers.

My host family, my friends in Ghana, and all my loved ones at home were really helpful, nice, and encouraging. Thanks everyone, I appreciate the 'get well' love.

Little fun non-Malaria updates:

-This Friday I'm travelling to Ashanti Mampong with Jonas to meet up with Dabney, Jolien, and Manuel for Manuel's birthday!

-Our house help Leticia now refers to us as "the small girl and her sister", ex. "The small girl and her sister have to get everything done fast, fast because it's healthy to eat early."

-Richard calls every day he sleeps in an "American day" because I told him that in America I don't get up at six on the weekends and every Saturday I sleep in until eight or nine.

-Calling me Ohema Acadia, or Queen Mother Acadia is the new joke around the house.

Until next time, when hopefully it'll be about something more exciting than Malaria!