Before I say anything else, a BIG hug and deep appreciation for Caitlin's mom (some day I'm going to have to ask her your name!). You cannot imagine how much it meant to get the package of Oreos that you sent to me with her latest package! I know it sounds silly for a 60 year old man to get all mushy about a package of cookies but I was having a down day (that happens sometimes over here ..... but then again, that happens sometimes in the States!) when Caitlin walked over and said, "Hey, look what my Mom sent you". It was so sweet (literally) of you to respond to my little joke in my last posting about the Oreos and the timing could not have been better. Thank you.
OK - Now the rest of you can listen in. Happy Chanukah to my Jewish friends and relatives as that is coming up next week and I don't think I'll find any Chanukah cards in Daboya!! Everyone please eat an extra potato latke for me! And just in case I don't get to make another entry before Xmas, Merry Christmas to all of my Christian friends. Have a little extra turkey and stuffing for me!
Now for the BIG news, and the Title line of this entry: WE DID IT!! We had our swearing in ceremony yesterday and we are all official Peace Corps Volunteers now. There was great excitement, a bit of apprehension, and some sadness as we lost another member of our group. Brenna came to realize that this was not her path after all and is now on her way back to Kansas. There have been 6 from our original group of 48 that have now gone home. It was the right decision for each of them and I totally support them in that but that doesn't prevent me from feeling the sadness in my heart. That is also part of the Peace Corps experience.
Eleven of us jumped on a "tro" this morning and came up to the Peace Corps Tamale sub-office. We'll spend a day or two here shopping for pots, pans, blankets (yes, it does get cold at night during the dry season!), stoves (more like a Coleman than a GE!), and all the other little things you need to create home. And then jump on different tros and head to our respective sites.
I got to visit Daboya (my site) for a few days on a site visit a couple of weeks ago and see where I'll be living although I didn't get to stay there as it wasn't quite ready. I'm hoping it is now! It really should be quite comfortable and I'm thrilled that I have electricity including an overhead fan (HOORAY!!)although no running water. I spent time with Musah, my "counterpart" (the man who will help me integrate into the community and help me get started on my project) and he seems like the perfect person to help me get to know the community. He is headmaster of the JSS (Jr. High) School and I got to teach an English class AND give an HIV/AIDS presentation to a group of 15-18 year old students during my site visit. Though that is not part of my primary project, they are very short on teachers so I plan to volunteer to teach one period/day...at least early on. I may have to let that go if my primary project begins to take all of my time. For you teachers - you would LOVE the students over here. When the teacher walks in the room, they all jump to attention, greet you respectfully, and then quietly take their seats! They raise their hands, call you "Sir", "Master", or "Madame", and a "problem student" is one who gets to class late!
My primary project has to do with helping develop tourism in the community centered around a type of smock weaving that is not done anywhere else in the world. I'll save comments on that for after I'm working on it for awhile.
Oh - the worst name for a business I ever saw was in the marketplace in Techiman, Ghana. Many of the businesses use religious references in the names of their shops. Would you ever go to "To Err is Human" barber shop??!!!
For anyone who might like to communicate with me, and I would LOVE to get letters, you can now send letters to me at: Larry Pearlman / Daboya Vocational School / Box 1 / Daboya-Tamale, N/R / Ghana, West Africa. Packages (ohh, for things like Oreos, Snickers, red or black licorice, AA batteries, and lobster tail with drawn butter) should be sent to: Larry Pearlman / Peace Corps Ghana / Box 962 / Tamale, N/R / Ghana, West Africa. They will get here a lot faster if sent in a padded envelope rather than a box.
Well, I've got a line of people waiting to use the 2 computers that are in the sub-office so I'd better close for now. Thanks to everyone who continues to follow my experience here. I can feel the support and it feels warm and cozy!!
Love and Hugs.............Larry
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
I MADE IT!
Thanks to all of you who posted comments and to those who have simply come to the site to share my experience. Some of you were probably wondering what happened to me. Not to worry - this is just the first time I could actually get to the blog site to make an entry.
Oh - before I forget - a special Hi to Caitlyn's Mom! She told me in Philly that you had already found my site and asked her to look up the "nice looking older man". She's doing great, as I'm sure you know, and I told her I'd say Hi when I got to my blog site. If you plan to send her any packages, throw in some Oreos for me!
Also - congratulations to Dharma for quitting InterTel and following the dream that you have already begun to materialize. You are an inspiration to many in so many ways.
What's that? Oh..........you all tuned in to find out about Ghana??!! OK - where do I start? The country is absolutely beautiful - at least the parts I've seen so far. The part of the Volta Region that I was in for a few days is lush green and looks to me like tropical rainforest although I'm told that Ghana's rainforest is in a different region. Volta has incredible mountains dressed in lush, verdant foliage with dramatic waterfalls highlighting different areas. I got to hike up to one of them and swim in a beautiful cold pool with a natural jacuzzi built in! The cold water felt great after a pretty good hike to get up to it.. although the two youngsters I went up with (Jim's about 35 and Thuy is 10 years younger)didn't seem to be sweating near as much as I was.
Now I'm in the Brong Ahafo Region for my 9 weeks of training. Though not as lush as what I saw in Volta, we are at the end of the rainy season and this area is plenty green and gorgeous in itself.
When we first arrived, we spent 10 days in the Accra area. Accra is the capitol of the country and is roughly the same population as Phoenix. Though I didn't find the city nearly as attractive as the other regions, people who thrive on the big city buzz can certainly find that in Accra. The thing that floored me was how incredibly nice the people were. There were 3 of us trying to find certain places in Accra as part of a Peace Corps "scavenger hunt". We stopped a man to ask him directions and he spent the next 3 hours walking us to all the places we needed to find and filling us in a lot on life in Ghana. Another man on a tro-tro (read, "bus")paid the fare for all 3 of us and we hadn't even met him!!
During training, I'm staying with a family in a small village close to Techiman and this is a great way to begin to integrate into the Ghanaian culture. They have been very good to me and help me in many ways. In fact, it is very uncomfortable for me, and most Americans I think, to allow them to sweep my room, cook all my meals and serve me, wash my clothes (and there are no washing machines - it's all done by hand in a wash tub and bucket), carry my bags, etc. etc.
Which is not to say that I'm staying at the Ritz. There are very few amenities although I am very thankful that we DO have electricity - even though there is no outlet in my room. No running water so I have learned how to take bucket baths. I've done them with cold water (and on hot nights that really does feel better) but I prefer heating up the water for my morning bath. I can get used to this for the next 2 years but I KNOW that a hot shower will be high on my list of things to do any time I get the chance! "Sleeping in" is now defined as 6:30 since the roosters start crowing around 4:15. I can't help but feel like this might be a bit of what Sharon experienced when she first moved out on her own in the Navajo reservation. We'll have to compare notes, Sharon!!
Some notes on the Ghanaians. Unlike black people in the US who have diverse backgrounds and are therefore all different shades of black and brown, Ghanaians all have the same beautiful creamy, smooth skin that is somewhere between milk chocolate and dark chocolate. The young men, and many of the older ones, could be in ads for LA Fitness with their 6 pack abs, broad chests and shoulders, and cut biceps and all without ever lifting a barbell or doing a push-up!! Life here is physical and rock-hard muscular bodies is a byproduct. I find many of the women to be strikingly beautiful with posture my Mom would be proud of (a direct result of carrying everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, on their heads from the time they are small girls) and a natural sensuality that is accented by their beautifully colorful clothes. In fact, all of the clothes here are of goreous patterns and colors and I'm looking forward to having some made (you can get tailored clothes for under $10) but I may wait until I get to my assigned region Daboya in the Northern Region) in December. The thing that strikes me about the children, along with how incredibly cute they are, is how little crying I hear! Oh sure - there are tears now and again but not nearly what I'm used to in the States. Even kids under 4 are remarkably well behaved and I doubt that anyone in Ghana would have any idea what "terrible twos" means!
There is so much I haven't touched on but I need to get back to my village for dinner. I'll try to get back for my next entry sometime in the next few weeks. ALL responses are welcome and feel free to ask questions.
That's it for now from your roving African reporter!!
Oh - before I forget - a special Hi to Caitlyn's Mom! She told me in Philly that you had already found my site and asked her to look up the "nice looking older man". She's doing great, as I'm sure you know, and I told her I'd say Hi when I got to my blog site. If you plan to send her any packages, throw in some Oreos for me!
Also - congratulations to Dharma for quitting InterTel and following the dream that you have already begun to materialize. You are an inspiration to many in so many ways.
What's that? Oh..........you all tuned in to find out about Ghana??!! OK - where do I start? The country is absolutely beautiful - at least the parts I've seen so far. The part of the Volta Region that I was in for a few days is lush green and looks to me like tropical rainforest although I'm told that Ghana's rainforest is in a different region. Volta has incredible mountains dressed in lush, verdant foliage with dramatic waterfalls highlighting different areas. I got to hike up to one of them and swim in a beautiful cold pool with a natural jacuzzi built in! The cold water felt great after a pretty good hike to get up to it.. although the two youngsters I went up with (Jim's about 35 and Thuy is 10 years younger)didn't seem to be sweating near as much as I was.
Now I'm in the Brong Ahafo Region for my 9 weeks of training. Though not as lush as what I saw in Volta, we are at the end of the rainy season and this area is plenty green and gorgeous in itself.
When we first arrived, we spent 10 days in the Accra area. Accra is the capitol of the country and is roughly the same population as Phoenix. Though I didn't find the city nearly as attractive as the other regions, people who thrive on the big city buzz can certainly find that in Accra. The thing that floored me was how incredibly nice the people were. There were 3 of us trying to find certain places in Accra as part of a Peace Corps "scavenger hunt". We stopped a man to ask him directions and he spent the next 3 hours walking us to all the places we needed to find and filling us in a lot on life in Ghana. Another man on a tro-tro (read, "bus")paid the fare for all 3 of us and we hadn't even met him!!
During training, I'm staying with a family in a small village close to Techiman and this is a great way to begin to integrate into the Ghanaian culture. They have been very good to me and help me in many ways. In fact, it is very uncomfortable for me, and most Americans I think, to allow them to sweep my room, cook all my meals and serve me, wash my clothes (and there are no washing machines - it's all done by hand in a wash tub and bucket), carry my bags, etc. etc.
Which is not to say that I'm staying at the Ritz. There are very few amenities although I am very thankful that we DO have electricity - even though there is no outlet in my room. No running water so I have learned how to take bucket baths. I've done them with cold water (and on hot nights that really does feel better) but I prefer heating up the water for my morning bath. I can get used to this for the next 2 years but I KNOW that a hot shower will be high on my list of things to do any time I get the chance! "Sleeping in" is now defined as 6:30 since the roosters start crowing around 4:15. I can't help but feel like this might be a bit of what Sharon experienced when she first moved out on her own in the Navajo reservation. We'll have to compare notes, Sharon!!
Some notes on the Ghanaians. Unlike black people in the US who have diverse backgrounds and are therefore all different shades of black and brown, Ghanaians all have the same beautiful creamy, smooth skin that is somewhere between milk chocolate and dark chocolate. The young men, and many of the older ones, could be in ads for LA Fitness with their 6 pack abs, broad chests and shoulders, and cut biceps and all without ever lifting a barbell or doing a push-up!! Life here is physical and rock-hard muscular bodies is a byproduct. I find many of the women to be strikingly beautiful with posture my Mom would be proud of (a direct result of carrying everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, on their heads from the time they are small girls) and a natural sensuality that is accented by their beautifully colorful clothes. In fact, all of the clothes here are of goreous patterns and colors and I'm looking forward to having some made (you can get tailored clothes for under $10) but I may wait until I get to my assigned region Daboya in the Northern Region) in December. The thing that strikes me about the children, along with how incredibly cute they are, is how little crying I hear! Oh sure - there are tears now and again but not nearly what I'm used to in the States. Even kids under 4 are remarkably well behaved and I doubt that anyone in Ghana would have any idea what "terrible twos" means!
There is so much I haven't touched on but I need to get back to my village for dinner. I'll try to get back for my next entry sometime in the next few weeks. ALL responses are welcome and feel free to ask questions.
That's it for now from your roving African reporter!!
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Packing and Thinking About the Unknown
As I went to bed the other night, I was trying to picture my life in Ghana and POOF - there it was! A complete and detailed vision of exactly how it would be for me!......................................RIGHT!!!! I would love to tell you that's what happened but the reality is that I realized I have NO idea what it will be like. Having spoken to or read about many Peace Corps volunteers and their experiences, the one thing that became clear is that every experience is truly unique. Physically, I might be living in a mud hut or a condo. I might have no running water or electricity or I might have all the modern conveniences. I could be surrounded by people who speak English or I could be struggling every day just to communicate. I could stay healthy as a horse or I could be sick most of the time I'm there. AND THAT'S JUST THE LITTLE STUFF!!! A greater part of the experience relates to the emotional realm. I may feel dispondency at the separation from Kimberly (my girlfriend), my family, and my friends and being overwhelmed by a new country, strange language, unknown foods (and how to cook them! Anyone who knows me knows that I'm challenged to cook even those foods I'm familiar with!), unfamiliar customs, money, and topography, and vague responsibilities. On the other hand, I could feel elation and excitement around a new adventure, helping people in a new way, experiencing the beauty of Africa, and learning more about who I am and what I have to offer.
The one thing that is clear at this time is that I just don't know what the future will bring and that's OK. A good friend used to say, "All is well. Unconquerable life prevails." With that in my heart, I'm ready to move forward and experience all of the above...............or not. I'll see what the future brings when it becomes the present.
Whoa..............hold on. Did I say, "I'm ready to move forward...."? That may have been a bit premature! I've still got a car and some furniture to sell, a bunch of stuff to give away, sell, or store, friends and family to spend a bit of time with, paperwork to do, and, did I mention PACKING? Unlike most Peace Corps volunteers who are in their 20's and fresh out of college, I have a whole house full of STUFF that I have to sort through. Hmmmmm....will I really need that electric pencil sharpener in Ghana? Will it be too hot for jeans or should I pack a pair or two? Are these sandals good enough or should I look into those "Chacos" that all the experienced Peace Corps volunteers talk about? And what photos should I take to help me connect to home?
Actually............what am I doing sitting here writing this???? I've got work to do!!! See you at my next posting..................
The one thing that is clear at this time is that I just don't know what the future will bring and that's OK. A good friend used to say, "All is well. Unconquerable life prevails." With that in my heart, I'm ready to move forward and experience all of the above...............or not. I'll see what the future brings when it becomes the present.
Whoa..............hold on. Did I say, "I'm ready to move forward...."? That may have been a bit premature! I've still got a car and some furniture to sell, a bunch of stuff to give away, sell, or store, friends and family to spend a bit of time with, paperwork to do, and, did I mention PACKING? Unlike most Peace Corps volunteers who are in their 20's and fresh out of college, I have a whole house full of STUFF that I have to sort through. Hmmmmm....will I really need that electric pencil sharpener in Ghana? Will it be too hot for jeans or should I pack a pair or two? Are these sandals good enough or should I look into those "Chacos" that all the experienced Peace Corps volunteers talk about? And what photos should I take to help me connect to home?
Actually............what am I doing sitting here writing this???? I've got work to do!!! See you at my next posting..................
Monday, August 13, 2007
It's Starting To Get Real!
Just about a month before I report to Philadelphia for my 3 day orientation prior to flying to Ghana. NOW it's really starting to feel real! I'm in the process of selling all of my furniture and it looks like I found someone to lease my house. I'm planning to set up a 9/11 flight to NJ later today so I can spend a few days visiting relatives and friends prior to the orientation. That means it is now 29 days to departure and the start of an amazing adventure.
I'm told there are 3 climate zones in Ghana: hot and dry, hot and humid, and hot and wet. I've been living in hot and dry for 30 years but the big difference is that we have air conditioning in Arizona! To prep for my new life, I borrowed a bicycle (that will be my primary mode of transportation in Ghana)from my friend Jason Mingus and started riding every day in the heat. Since I haven't really ridden a bike for about 25 years, I started with just 15 minutes and now I'm up to 30. I thought the first few days were really hard until I got the idea to check the tire pressure. I was riding at 20 psi when the tires are designed for 40! Putting some air in there made it a LOT easier.........until the back tire went flat. So now I'm on my first lesson in bicycle maintenance.
I also went out and played 18 holes of golf in 113 degrees yesterday during the hottest part of the day. That should prepare me for Ghana!
Well - just wanted to start jotting notes to keep y'all informed of my experience. That's it for now.
I'm told there are 3 climate zones in Ghana: hot and dry, hot and humid, and hot and wet. I've been living in hot and dry for 30 years but the big difference is that we have air conditioning in Arizona! To prep for my new life, I borrowed a bicycle (that will be my primary mode of transportation in Ghana)from my friend Jason Mingus and started riding every day in the heat. Since I haven't really ridden a bike for about 25 years, I started with just 15 minutes and now I'm up to 30. I thought the first few days were really hard until I got the idea to check the tire pressure. I was riding at 20 psi when the tires are designed for 40! Putting some air in there made it a LOT easier.........until the back tire went flat. So now I'm on my first lesson in bicycle maintenance.
I also went out and played 18 holes of golf in 113 degrees yesterday during the hottest part of the day. That should prepare me for Ghana!
Well - just wanted to start jotting notes to keep y'all informed of my experience. That's it for now.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Welcome to "Larry in Ghana"
Many people in my life have asked me to stay in touch during my 27 month stint in the Peace Corps. I figured this might be the best way to do that. In addition, other people might be thinking about joining the Peace Corps or might simply have an interest in Ghana and they might stumble across this blog. I hope it may prove useful for them as well.
Here are the facts as I know them today but one thing I am learning about the Peace Corps is that everything is subject to change!
I have a 3 day orientation in Philadelphia 9/15 - 17. Then to Ghana for 3 months of intensive training with about 50 volunteers. The first two weeks or so will be in the capital city of Accra, on the southeast coast, and most of the remaining time will be in Techiman, close to the middle of the country, living with a host family. That training will be heavily weighted toward culture and language and will also include elements of safety, health, technical training, and Peace Corps policies.
Then on to my assignment. I won't find out the location or the exact nature of my assignment until I am in the 3 months training but I do know that I will be working with the Small Enterprise Development division as a Business Advisor. The general goal is to build the capacity of my host organization to effectively access market opportunities in the local and/or international economies. I'll be working with tourism management committees, small businesses, farmers' or womens' groups or with small scale industries and may also be helping to link business people to micro-credit financial institutions. VERY exciting and VERY scary!!
Not sure how often I will have access to a computer and the internet while over there but I will do what I can to add posts to this site from Ghana to keep you abreast of my experience. I will also add posts before I leave to let you know what's happening with me as I prepare to leave.
I hope this site will be useful, educational, amusing, and most of all, a good way to connect verbally with those who already have a connection in my heart. Thanks for visiting.
Here are the facts as I know them today but one thing I am learning about the Peace Corps is that everything is subject to change!
I have a 3 day orientation in Philadelphia 9/15 - 17. Then to Ghana for 3 months of intensive training with about 50 volunteers. The first two weeks or so will be in the capital city of Accra, on the southeast coast, and most of the remaining time will be in Techiman, close to the middle of the country, living with a host family. That training will be heavily weighted toward culture and language and will also include elements of safety, health, technical training, and Peace Corps policies.
Then on to my assignment. I won't find out the location or the exact nature of my assignment until I am in the 3 months training but I do know that I will be working with the Small Enterprise Development division as a Business Advisor. The general goal is to build the capacity of my host organization to effectively access market opportunities in the local and/or international economies. I'll be working with tourism management committees, small businesses, farmers' or womens' groups or with small scale industries and may also be helping to link business people to micro-credit financial institutions. VERY exciting and VERY scary!!
Not sure how often I will have access to a computer and the internet while over there but I will do what I can to add posts to this site from Ghana to keep you abreast of my experience. I will also add posts before I leave to let you know what's happening with me as I prepare to leave.
I hope this site will be useful, educational, amusing, and most of all, a good way to connect verbally with those who already have a connection in my heart. Thanks for visiting.
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