Today was our first day without our guides in the big city. It was labelled in our orientation schedule as a day of rest, but anyone who knows the three of us knows that that was never going to happen! We slept in for the first time since our arrival, and I woke up to the sounds of singing at the morning masses. Everyone says that Sundays, particularly before 1pm, are quite quiet in the city because everyone is in church, and this was certainly the case! We spent the morning curled up with our books on the balcony, with palm trees, the beach, and the beautiful city in view - it certainly felt like a vacation!
After eating a bit of breakfast, we ventured out to tackle the tro-tro system on our own. We walked down the shortcut hill the main highway, noticing our favourite goat friends and saying some hellos along the way. Since it is Sunday, there were far fewer tros. But we managed to get a tro to the circle, and make our way to Oxford street so we could get some errands done. We were immediately swarmed with people showing us their wares, complementing us, and asking if we were from Britain or the United States - typical question! When you answer that you are from Canada, most Ghanaians I have met have gotten quite excited and asked if we were from Toronto or Vancouver - they nod with recognition when we reply that we are from the east coast, but I am not sure that is registers as easily as the big cities do in the minds of anyone outside our continent! The vendors are very proud of what they have made, from bracelets to beaded jewellery, to bags and paintings. I did purchase a painting today depicting the many colours, one world concept that each of us is different but we all belong to the same family - a great message, and a beautiful work.
Since our guides Nana and Philip have become friends, and since they worry about us constantly (which is quite cute), Nana asked us to meet up with her at her home to meet her family - one of my favourite moments of the trip so far. Nana's family was so generous, kind, and inviting (just like Nana!). It was great to meet a typical Ghanaian family, and I hope to be invited back soon!
From Nana's we went to the mall to get dinner and food which was great, and then we treated ourselves to a cab ride home. We came home to no power (which we lost during yesterday's very destructive storm) and waited for Ken, our caretaker, to come and take a look at it since we saw that many of those around us had regained power. He fixed it immediately, and we learned that we have a generator! We are so spoiled rotten. As is their nightly ritual, Philip and Nana called us each several times to make sure we got home safely. It is so unbelievably nice to have people in the city who care so much about us and our well-being.
Tomorrow is the first day of work, and none of us could be more excited. Jessica and I are hoping that since it is an election year in Ghana as well, that our job will be made that much more interesting. So excited to start learning not just about the city, but about our actual jobs!
Sending love to home, across this lovely ocean!
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