Good...Bad....Who Knows?

So this past week has been eventful and I could have started out saying, "I have good news and bad news". The good news would be about the first vacation days I have taken since coming to Ghana. Spent some relaxing time on the beach at Green Turtle Resort and Anamoba Beach Resort enjoying meditation while listening to the ocean play with the shore, good food, swinging in a beach hammock or laying on the sand reading a book, AND a real, hot shower! I also stopped at Kakum National Park and braved the Canopy Walk (pull it up on the net) where I was enthralled with the view and gripped by a bit more fear than I thought I would be while walking on 7 perfectly safe rope and planck bridges strung between platforms built WAY up high in the tallest trees. And I visited Cape Coast Castle in Cape Coast. That is one of the places where slaves were kept while waiting to be shipped to the Americas. Hearing about the horrible way these people were treated while actually standing in the place where it happened brings up emotions ranging from disgust to outrage, fear to deep sadness, disbelief to wonder at what the spirit can survive. I was surprised to feel the guilt of the white race each time I looked into the face of a black person after my tour. It gave me the opportunity to release a healing, loving, blessing into that area that has affected so many people over hundreds of years even into today.

The "bad news" would be that the day before Thanksgiving, I was robbed in Accra. While standing with a group of other Peace Corps Volunteers just 200 feet or so from our hotel, a car pulled up close to us, slowed down, and a man leaned out the passenger window and grabbed my backpack which was slung over my left shoulder. They then sped off and, unfortunately, the strap caught on my watch. Next thing I knew I was being dragged down the street at an increasing rate of speed. Fortunately, I managed to free my arm after 50 - 100 feet and escaped with only cuts, bruises, and abrasions along with a sore shoulder and side. One of the other Volunteers (thank you Joe) saw what was happening and grabbed my bag, trying to get it away from the thieves. For his trouble, he was also dragged part way down the street and did not manage to save the bag. Fortunately, he was not hurt seriously either.

One reason that I wasn't too upset about losing my backpack, digital camera, 2 pair of pants, phone charger, backgammon set (Hey - I thought some people here might like to learn the game!), 2 USB drives, and assorted other stuff is because of some GREAT advice I got from a PC Vol. who had been here awhile when I first got here. She told me that if I wanted to save myself a lot of angst, I should find peace right away with the fact that by the end of the 27 months, EVERYTHING that I came with would be lost, stolen, broken, or used up. I adopted that attitude and now when something goes, I just figure it was time for that object to join the list.

Anyway, I said above that I "could" start this posting out by saying "I have good news and bad news" but I won't. That's because I have discovered over the years that we never truly know what is "good" and what is "bad". Often what seems to be "bad" leads to something we consider "good" and vice versa so there is really no value in spending any time or energy in judging events to be good or bad. Just greet the events that Life brings you with openness to see the opportunities and give thanks for Life itself.

As a last note, I hope nobody takes this assault as a reason to avoid Peace Corps or traveling into other cultures. I certainly personally know a lot more people that have been assaulted, robbed, or otherwise attacked in Phoenix than I do in Ghana. I continue to believe that everywhere you go, 90%+ of all the people will be good, kind, decent people and there will always be a few who are otherwise. We can't let the small minority dictate to us how we live.

Love and Hugs from Ghana...........Larry