tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792321833480366022024-03-18T20:09:02.541-07:00Larry in GhanaThis is for anyone who would like to follow my experience while serving in the Peace Corps in Ghana. You could be a friend of mine, someone interested in Peace Corps service, or someone interested in what life is like in Ghana. All are welcome!
The contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. government or the Peace Corps.larryphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03582657707875652570noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-779232183348036602.post-56592511427274957532010-11-25T18:09:00.000-08:002010-11-30T10:14:08.291-08:00Back to Mother Africa!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnjEUD0aZBhnPGzRzv50_Ili0ZZHp-9hAhaIWkitkIFNmrIW_p54L5PJd0nlAWB0deKZ8Y72FRs02yF_dHjoXtulFbmeFjOjFAXX3hrOuj2WagoFA-YvXtvBEJOTD69wz_ZS40uvxEWY/s1600/DSCN1138.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnjEUD0aZBhnPGzRzv50_Ili0ZZHp-9hAhaIWkitkIFNmrIW_p54L5PJd0nlAWB0deKZ8Y72FRs02yF_dHjoXtulFbmeFjOjFAXX3hrOuj2WagoFA-YvXtvBEJOTD69wz_ZS40uvxEWY/s200/DSCN1138.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543686533679364418" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdiwCCPrurwAuDVNDvyJwD9MN0UT9lco7Lo98uZiLKFh9GrRDXJg_xEMF1ISmCHuZnT8SDvgmYFcymzbzYTpBogYHVOl86qcDY2qwIfTJRynAFvTvCCWmDV_J-xwgRNg2sCERSP-m0VM/s1600/DSCN1103.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdiwCCPrurwAuDVNDvyJwD9MN0UT9lco7Lo98uZiLKFh9GrRDXJg_xEMF1ISmCHuZnT8SDvgmYFcymzbzYTpBogYHVOl86qcDY2qwIfTJRynAFvTvCCWmDV_J-xwgRNg2sCERSP-m0VM/s200/DSCN1103.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543685771975540738" border="0" /></a><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> <w:word11kerningpairs/> <w:cachedcolbalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont val="Cambria Math"> <m:brkbin val="before"> <m:brkbinsub val="--"> <m:smallfrac val="off"> <m:dispdef/> <m:lmargin val="0"> <m:rmargin val="0"> <m:defjc val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent val="1440"> <m:intlim val="subSup"> <m:narylim val="undOvr"> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" defunhidewhenused="true" defsemihidden="true" defqformat="false" defpriority="99" latentstylecount="267"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="0" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Normal"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="heading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="35" qformat="true" name="caption"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="10" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" name="Default Paragraph Font"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="11" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtitle"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="22" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Strong"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="20" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="59" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Table Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Placeholder Text"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="No Spacing"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Revision"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="34" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="List Paragraph"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="29" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="30" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="19" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="21" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="31" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="32" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:11pt;" >The verdant lushness of the land. The refreshing innocence of the people. The grace and beauty of the women. The simple joy of the children. These are some of the things that make up African Magic and it was so good to touch them again in Ghana and, for me, for the first time in Cameroon.<br /><br /></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> <w:word11kerningpairs/> <w:cachedcolbalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont val="Cambria Math"> <m:brkbin val="before"> <m:brkbinsub val="--"> <m:smallfrac val="off"> <m:dispdef/> <m:lmargin val="0"> <m:rmargin val="0"> <m:defjc val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent val="1440"> <m:intlim val="subSup"> <m:narylim val="undOvr"> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" defunhidewhenused="true" defsemihidden="true" defqformat="false" defpriority="99" latentstylecount="267"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="0" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Normal"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="heading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="35" qformat="true" name="caption"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="10" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" name="Default Paragraph Font"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="11" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtitle"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="22" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Strong"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="20" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="59" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Table Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Placeholder Text"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="No Spacing"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Revision"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="34" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="List Paragraph"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="29" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="30" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="19" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="21" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="31" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="32" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:11pt;" >This trip was primarily for the purpose of working with the Emissary of Divine Light groups in Cameroon and Ghana. A friend, Keith Anderson, and I had a delightful time with 22 people in Buea, Cameroon including a 3 day seminar with the highest mountain in Cameroon (about 4000 ft) for a backdrop. We spoke, wrote, played, and dialogued about spiritual principles and how they impact our everyday lives of home, work, relationships, and communication. I found that the food in Cameroon is pretty similar to that in Ghana and was VERY pleasantly surprised that the climate was much cooler. Actually, I'm guessing that it isn't that much cooler in much of Cameroon but at our higher elevation it was delightful. Though it rained several times throughout the trip, it always seemed to know when we needed to be outside and granted us those grace periods.<br /><br />En route to Ghana, we stopped in Nigeria but our flight in was late and we missed our connection. Because we didn't have Nigerian passports we were not allowed to leave the airport and had to wait until the next morning to catch a flight. We had visions of all kinds of disasters but </span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> <w:word11kerningpairs/> <w:cachedcolbalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont val="Cambria Math"> <m:brkbin val="before"> <m:brkbinsub val="--"> <m:smallfrac val="off"> <m:dispdef/> <m:lmargin val="0"> <m:rmargin val="0"> <m:defjc val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent val="1440"> <m:intlim val="subSup"> <m:narylim val="undOvr"> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" defunhidewhenused="true" defsemihidden="true" defqformat="false" defpriority="99" latentstylecount="267"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="0" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Normal"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="heading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="35" qformat="true" name="caption"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="10" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" name="Default Paragraph Font"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="11" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtitle"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="22" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Strong"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="20" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="59" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Table Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Placeholder Text"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="No Spacing"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Revision"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="34" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="List Paragraph"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="29" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="30" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="19" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="21" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="31" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="32" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:11pt;" >were treated well by airport personnel and were made comfortable in the airport lounge. Big, soft couches definitely beat trying to sleep sitting up in plastic chairs!<br /><br /></span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:11pt;" >Twenty-four people joined us in Accra, Ghana for a one day seminar in an excellent facility that is part of the National Museum campus. Many of these folks were old friends who have been associated with the Emissaries for many years but, in many cases, hadn't met together for years. This workshop acted as a stimulus to get people back together and a regular pattern of Emissary services has started up again and is already growing. In addition to the seminar in Accra, one of our friends there, Edward Bortey, had lived for a long time in the Brong Ahofo region and had set up a presentation for us in Dormaa Ahenkro. We spoke for about an hour to 85 JSS students and 15 teachers. Then Edward got up and summarized in Twi what we had said!! Guess I forgot my Ghanaian English!<br /><br />With our official business done, Keith headed back to Accra while I continued north to visit friends in Kumasi, Tamale, and Daboya. It was wonderful seeing old friends again - both Peace Corps and native. I brought my Chief's walking stick all the way from Loveland, Colorado so I wouldn't embarrass myself upon my triumphant return to Daboya and then I left it in a friend's truck in Kumasi!! Fortunately, I managed to call my friend Musah and he arranged for someone to meet me at the river with a replacement walking stick. It was thrilling but a bit off-putting to be greeted by so many with cries of "Garba - Asan-san-san. Fo dan ga!!" which means, "Welcome so much Chief. You have grown fat!" Hey, can I help it if there are DQ's and Baskin Robbins on every corner in the US??!!<br /><br />It was also wonderful to meet the new Peace Corps Volunteer, T.K., and see what an impact he is having in the village, particularly with the younger people, after only a couple of months. I was disappointed to hear that in the 10 months without a PCV present, the Daboya Tourism Management Team failed to meet at all, did not hold their scheduled elections, had let the new Visitor's Centre begin to run down, and had reverted to the old way of charging tourists. In other words, everything we built there for tourism was set aside. Hopefully, T.K. will get it going again. On the flip side, I was thrilled to see that the upgrade of our clinic to a polyclinic is almost complete. All of the old buildings and Nurse's quarters have been remodeled, wonderful new beds put into place, and a new laboratory built. A new Medical Assistant and nurses are in place and all that is left to do is to bring a full time doctor there. They even have a TV with a satellite dish set up in the waiting room!!<br /><br />I got to see my brother-from-another-mother Dada Pramananda in Accra and he is still diligently trying to get funding to build a library and regional market place in Daboya. I am grateful for his continued efforts and the blessing he is trying to bring to Daboya.<br /><br />It was good to visit again AND the heat, mosquitos, and bad roads reminded me why I decided to come back home to Colorado! Of course, it might have been a better return if there wasn't snow on the ground........<br /><br />Check out the spiritual group I am associated with, <a href="http://www.emissaries.org">Emissaries of Divine Light</a>.<br /><br /></span>larryphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03582657707875652570noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-779232183348036602.post-69408886465369149532010-07-30T09:11:00.000-07:002010-07-30T09:31:02.188-07:00I'm Going Back!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-cLgjzjVhcBKV_BYT4ho24WcJrBEwpD9tqKku4CGe4X-KJVoSaiGfXNl6BMe5tsCnLASvZ3p4hGx3jmmzwVmXI9yWT-aCtJZx3cA-1dNSAEwS_EIxQbyAJZlS6VC_f0pzrVGVJ1hbjs/s1600/006.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-cLgjzjVhcBKV_BYT4ho24WcJrBEwpD9tqKku4CGe4X-KJVoSaiGfXNl6BMe5tsCnLASvZ3p4hGx3jmmzwVmXI9yWT-aCtJZx3cA-1dNSAEwS_EIxQbyAJZlS6VC_f0pzrVGVJ1hbjs/s320/006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499736271524518450" border="0" /></a><br />Well - Just for a visit but I'm pretty excited about it anyway. I am now living on an intentional spiritual community called Sunrise Ranch in Loveland, Colorado. This is also the international headquarters for Emissaries of Divine Light. I know - you've never heard of them. Check it out at www.emissaries.org.<br /><br />Anyhow, we have Emissary groups in Cameroon, Nigeria, and Ghana as well as South Africa. I am going to West Africa with a friend to do some public talks and workshops with our groups in Cameroon and Ghana at the end of October. We should finish up in Accra on November 1 and I will take some time to go back to Daboya plus visit friends in Accra, Kumasi, and Tamale. It will be almost exactly a year since I left Daboya so I'm very excited to visit and see everyone again. I don't think they'll have a hard time recognizing me!!<br /><br />If anyone reads this that is in Ghana, or Cameroon, let me know so we can hook up when I'm there. In fact, is anyone still checking in on this blog site?? Let me know.larryphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03582657707875652570noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-779232183348036602.post-72861779992527756942009-12-08T20:13:00.000-08:002009-12-08T20:30:53.745-08:00Was It a Dream?I'm driving down the street in Phoenix (no - not now - yesterday) and it feels to me like I went to bed last night, had a very vivid dream about going to Ghana for over 2 years, and then woke up this morning still in Phoenix. Did I really go to Ghana? Well, if I didn't, then how did those Ghanaian smocks get into my closet and why don't I own a car anymore?<br /><br />Yes, I really did go and it was quite the adventure. Now I'm back in the U.S. and, though I'm a bit unsettled because I don't know what's next for me (anybody out there want to hire a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer??), I have not experienced the difficulties re-entering American society that so many people do. I'm having a great time visiting with friends and family, taking hot showers, eating my way through the country, watching movies, bowling, golfing, enjoying COOL weather, and helping people understand more about Africa, Ghana, and Daboya.<br /><br />Just to catch you up on some items I left hanging in my last posting:<br /><br />* I never did get a replacement PCV in Daboya. As a result, I had a good time giving away all of my stuff to people I cared about in the village. Let's all cross our fingers and hope that Daboya does get a Volunteer from the next batch in 2010 if not sooner.<br /><br />* We did have our Visitors' Centre ceremony. Along with about 400 - 500 folks from Daboya, we also had the District Chief Executive and his entourage, some folks from Tamale and the TV and radio crews. I did hear some radio coverage of it before I left but didn't see us on the TV news. Hopefully that happened after I left. The ceremony started very late as we waited for the TV crew to arrive but was very successful.<br /><br />* The Daboya Chiefs gave me a going away party and the Paramount Chief presented me with a beautiful smock which I have been showing off in the US. When I got off the plane in Newark, NJ I was wearing it and the first person I saw in the visitor greeting area pointed at me and said, "Daboya". He was from Ghana originally and immediately recognized my smock. How cool is that??!!<br /><br />As to what's next, I'm considering several options including applying for a job as a Peace Corps Regional Recruiter. So ... who knows... I may be talking to YOU some day and helping you embark on your own Peace Corps adventure.<br /><br />Love and Peace ...................Larry Pearlman, Returned Peace Corps Volunteerlarryphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03582657707875652570noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-779232183348036602.post-44064181469883146242009-10-15T01:15:00.000-07:002009-10-15T01:16:30.407-07:00Last Word from Ghana.............Or Not.I just spent however much time composing an entry for my blog. And it was really good! I mean, I was impressed with how wonderful it was. And then the internet got jiggy and, as far as I know, I lost it all. Now, of course, if it magically saved itself and I recover it and post it, then I'll have to edit this bit since YOU might not think it was all that wonderful. Hell – it's easy saying something was wonderful if nobody ever gets to see it, right? Fishermen have been doing that for centuries. Anyway – that's not really my point. My point is that if this had happened to me 2 years ago, I would be REALLY upset – saying foul things about this computer, the internet, Bill Gates, and whoever invented the blog (anyone know WHO invented the blog??). But now, there was just a mild reaction and then on with doing a new entry, with maybe some stuff I remember from the lost one, into a WORD doc which I can cut and past into a blog entry if / when the internet comes back up. I must have learned SOMETHING during my time here living with people with infinite patience and a deep understanding that it's much easier on your body, mind, and heart to learn how to move with Life than it is to try and force Life to move with your plans. Now if I can just hold on to that understanding when I move back into the western world.<br /><br />Which is happening in about a month. Three weeks from now I will be packed and leaving Daboya for Accra. Less than a week later, November 12th to be exact, I will be on a flight to Newark, NJ (with a 5 hour layover in Amsterdam). So this will be one of my last entries on this blog site. My next entry will likely be posted from the US with some comments on what it's like to be back and perhaps some final reflections on the experience.<br /><br />Which brings me to thanking you all for sharing this experience with me over this past 25 months. Some of you have come along for the whole ride and some have popped in and out at appropriate spots for you. All of you have provided support for me whether you have written responses or not AND you are the reason that I even write anything on this site. So you truly have been an integral part of this interchange and I appreciate it. Thanks.<br /><br />As to current events, I just received some potentially great news today. Because of a change in Peace Corps timing, there was not going to be a replacement volunteer available to hand the reins to in Daboya. At least not for 9 months. This is a critical juncture in the development of tourism in Daboya and not the best time to leave them without an active PCV (you should all know what that means by now). My APCD (5 brownie points to anyone who knows what that acronym stands for) has been very aware of the situation and watching out for any possible solution. Today he called to tell me that there is another SED (OK – I'll give you this one: Small Enterprise Development) Volunteer who may have to switch sites. If so, Daboya will be the first choice. Should know by the end of the week. That will not only be great for Daboya but will solve one challenge for me. I was trying to figure out who to give all my stuff to. If I have a new PCV coming, then I'll just leave most of it to him and just give away a few things that I know will be meaningful to certain people. <br /><br />We've set a date for the Visitors' Centre inauguration celebration – 10 / 24 and gotten our invitations out. Now all we have to do is finish planting the grass and flowers, complete the exhibits we wish to put inside the building, plan the agenda, invite the speakers and emcee, plan the entertainment, plan, buy, and cook the food, establish a Welcoming Committee, invite the media, and, oh yeah, figure out how to pay for it all. We have a proposal before the District Assembly to foot the bill (about $700) but if they don't come through, not sure how we're going to pull this off. I may be sending an email to all of you asking for donations!!<br /><br />We've also made good progress getting the information together so that our good friend Dada Pramananda of AMURT, an NGO (OK – who knows that one?) in Accra can finalize a proposal to potential funding sources for our library and regional marketplace. <br /><br />Did I mention that we had our 2nd annual election for DTMT (Daboya Tourism Management Team for those who are tired of guessing Acronyms) executive officers and now we have a stronger team than ever in place to move forward? And that NCRC (Nature Conservation Resource Centre) provided a weekend training in how to do a development plan for the DTMT? And that we have a follow-up training planned for later this month on management skills? So things are popping in Daboya and pretty soon you'll see us on websites should you begin to think about vacationing in Ghana. Hey – it doesn't have to be two years – just two weeks will get you acquainted with some of the warmest-hearted people in the world.<br /><br />So that's probably it for me from Ghana, although you never know. See you all back here after I jump over to the other side of the pond. For anyone who has been sending packages and / or letters (THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!) don't send any more. Much as I love them, there is a better than even chance that anything sent from here on out won't get to me before I leave. <br /><br />Thanks again for sharing these experiences with me.larryphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03582657707875652570noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-779232183348036602.post-59564564560135709292009-08-16T15:20:00.001-07:002009-08-16T15:59:30.960-07:00So What AM I Doing Here???<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2TtOZBcDU4kpNVmEpFtNTzUzxAODUeGzsAMUSmtclLrFKeVHRoWNFULSsiP_ST9JAN9T1_r24uu4pfi5q54bEAO7fi5vBUMYrorJ-dCPkZBQhR76o8_V5jPksrFBa31TC_dkUlZxKSxc/s1600-h/DSCN0523%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370698854995253026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2TtOZBcDU4kpNVmEpFtNTzUzxAODUeGzsAMUSmtclLrFKeVHRoWNFULSsiP_ST9JAN9T1_r24uu4pfi5q54bEAO7fi5vBUMYrorJ-dCPkZBQhR76o8_V5jPksrFBa31TC_dkUlZxKSxc/s320/DSCN0523%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a><br /><div>A cold bucket bath – bargaining with a taxi driver – pit latrines – walking 200 yards to GET to the pit latrine – eating Fufu with Okra stew with my fingers out of a communal bowl with 3 other people – seeing women carrying heavy loads of firewood, water, goods for sale, and so many other things on their head – going weeks without seeing another white person – seeing the most beautiful colors in what was unfamiliar clothing – actually seeing the Milky Way clearly along with a zillion stars – knowing that EVERY day will be 100 degrees and there is no A/C – watching baby goats play in the most joyful way – being greeted by just about EVERYBODY when you walk down the street – never hearing an airplane, helicopter, or train – living without DVD’s, TV, movies, bowling, golf, or fast food – walking in a stately procession with 20 Chiefs enroute to the weekly Chiefs’ meeting.<br /><br />These are just a few of Life’s events that started out 2 years ago as “experiences”, as in, “Now THAT was an experience!” Then all those individual experiences began to blend into a grand adventure. Before I knew it, that adventure had become simply my life. Now, and I say this with some sadness, it has all become part of the routine of my day. Which is not to say that I don’t still appreciate the joy and the beauty that I see around me OR that I don’t mutter under my breath at times about the uncomfortable things, but it’s no longer the same as it was when I first experienced these things.<br /><br />Think of it as dating. Remember the glorious excitement and wonderful discoveries at the beginning? You may still love the person after 5 years or 50 years. In fact, the love may be much deeper and more significant than it ever was when you were in the early days. But the feeling can never be the same in the sense of the discovery of newness. What was once strange and/or exotic or simply unknown and is now known cannot become unknown again, no matter how wonderful (or awful) it may be.<br /><br />This is what truly sets Peace Corps apart from most, if not all, of the other organizations working to help developing countries. You can’t understand a culture during a two week vacation or even a 3-6 month working assignment. And you don’t get to really get the pulse of a village by living in a condo in the big city and visiting the site in an air conditioned SUV 1-2 days/week. This is not to suggest that other NGO’s and governmental organizations aren’t doing good things. Obviously they are and Peace Corps relies heavily on good working relationships with many of them. After all, Peace Corps brings no money to the table, although it takes over a year living in the village to convince them that you’re not rich and do not have the means to fund a library, high school, futbol (read “soccer”) field, and bowling alley (OK – nobody in Daboya has asked me for a bowling alley but it sounds like a neat idea). So how do we make a difference? By blending into the community and discovering from the inside what they REALLY need and want and will support. Then, a PC Volunteer (PCV) can go to work and find ways, many include NGO’s and government organizations, to fund these projects, help to supervise both the external parties and the village people involved, and train local personnel in everything from tree planting to annual reports so that the project becomes sustainable long after the foreign faces and accents are gone from the community.<br /><br />A tourist gets the “experience”. A 3-6 month NGO volunteer gets the adventure. But only people like missionaries, those who move to a country to live there, and PCV’s get to make a new culture part of their lives and established routines. I’ve had my ups and downs here (and thanks to all of you who have supported me in SO many ways to ease the way through those “downs”) but I am very glad that I got to move through the whole cycle to come beyond “me and those interesting people” to simply “us” and having “my living quarters” morph into “my home”.<br /><br />And, when all goes well, there might, or might not, be something tangible to show for our efforts. In the case of our tourism efforts in Daboya, we actually now have a building (thanks primarily to Nature Conservation Resource Center and funding from the European Union). So feast your eyes (if I can get the photo to download properly) on Daboya’s new Visitors’ Centre!! We still have some landscaping to do and the signage isn’t up yet but we are open for business so ya’ll come!! We can share a bowl of banku with groundnut stew or, if you’re a wussy, I’ll make you a fruit salad and tuna sandwich!<br /><br /><br /></div>larryphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03582657707875652570noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-779232183348036602.post-33542882179490550652009-06-22T08:47:00.000-07:002009-06-22T09:14:29.762-07:00June is Bustin' Out All Over!This has been a productive month. Our permanent Visitors’ Centre has moved to the next level. All construction materials are on site and boy was it interesting watching 30 or so young men from the local youth group transport 100 bags of cement, 50 plywood sheets, 74 long iron rods, a large Polytank (to handle the water for our flush toilets (YAY!!), many 5 gallon buckets of paint, about 10 boxes of nails, about 70 metal roofing sheets, a bunch of lumber, and assorted other materials to the site. All of that had to be unloaded from the cargo truck on the other bank of the river, then loaded on to canoes (many trips!) to cross the river, then loaded on to a hand truck, tractor (2 loads), and heads, shoulders, and backs to get it up the hill to the site, then unloaded, and finally moved into our temporary office where it will be stored. Ladies, you would have enjoyed seeing all of these rippling muscles glistening with sweat as these young men went about the task easily and with joy – even though we didn’t finish until 9:00 at night. Tractor loads of smooth river sand and rough sand were brought to the site and a crew molded the cement blocks needed to do the job. The trained construction crew from Nature Conservation Resource Centre (NCRC) – the NGO who is providing this building – will be back in July to finish the construction and then it will be time to CELEBRATE!! It promises to be the nicest building in Daboya.<br />And FINALLY our area sanitation meetings are happening. It took me a year to figure out that when it comes to something like this it is better to work through the elders of each of the 16 areas of Daboya than try to coordinate the entire village. It also took a long time (Hey – I’m a little slow, OK??!!) to figure out that it is better to have area meetings at night (8pm). Farmers are all back from farm, fishermen from fishing, weavers have packed up their looms, women have finished all chores, and people actually come to the meetings! So we have now had meetings in just about all the areas and the response has been very good. Now we just have to hope for consistent follow through and we will have a cleaner, healthier, and more beautiful Daboya!<br />Ghana Tourist Board is helping us put together a preliminary brochure and a lot of the same information will be useful for websites. I have provided the information to 3 different organizations for inclusion on websites they are working on. <br />A Guest House (hotel – sort of) has been built by a private citizen and is just about ready for use. It has a FLUSH TOILET AND REAL SHOWER!!! In the future, he will be adding a kitchen and bar as well as a store to sell the smocks, hats, dresses, and other items that are woven here. I’m hoping that he has the facility open for business by the end of July and they you can all come and visit!<br />AND one of the Peace Corps Volunteers in my group got married this month as well. His wife is a wonderful, beautiful Ghanaian woman and it was a kick to attend the wedding. For those who are wondering if we danced semi-naked around a huge campfire to the sound of rhythmic jungle drums, I have to disappoint you and tell you that they were married in a Pentecostal church! Nevertheless, it was interesting to see the cultural differences that show up in small ways in the wedding ceremony and at the reception. Since there were 12 Peace Corps Volunteers among the 100 or so guests, it was also a very nice reunion for us. The wedding was in the southern part of the country so I hadn’t seen any of these folks for quite some time. It was worth the 7 hour round-trip bus / tro-tro ride that I endured as part of a day that started at 4:45 am and got me back to Tamale at 8 pm.<br />Now we look forward to July and all that will fill it.<br />Bye for now……….Larrylarryphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03582657707875652570noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-779232183348036602.post-91266303571783747012009-05-27T20:55:00.000-07:002009-05-27T20:55:00.149-07:00Running With the SheepOK - so there really is no such thing as "Running With The Sheep" in Daboya (and I'm pretty sure anyplace else in the world!). But there are times when, for no apparent reason, an entire flock of sheep will just go running full tilt. So I'm thinking, OK - maybe it wouldn't be near as exciting as running with the bulls in Spain, but it looks like it would be fun and it would be a whole lot safer. I mean, come on, when was the last time you heard of anyone getting gored or stampeded by a sheep?? I haven't done it yet, but next time a flock goes running by, I just might join them.<br /><br />Speaking of sheep, they are very different here than those I've seen in the U.S. or other places in the world. No big fluffy wool coats on these sheep. In fact, they look like goats with floppy ears. And I'm darned sure they are not sheared for their coats. For one thing, they would be pretty paltry coats! And, for another, NOBODY in Ghana needs a wool ANYTHING! Not like it's a real problem to stay warm here. Nevertheless, they are very cute. Wonder if I can smuggle one on the airplane.....<br /><br />I can't remember if I ever talked about what I eat here but since I don't feel like going back through all of my previous posts, I'll just forge ahead. Who knows, maybe my diet has changed since I wrote about it last time (if I did). I do eat Daboya food on a regular basis but also mix in items available in Tamale (2 hr bus ride away) and enjoy REI freeze-dried dinners (thank you Carol and Phyl) maybe once - twice / wk or when I don't feel like cooking. The Daboya food that I like includes lightly fried yam (ajo), jollof rice (shinkafa), banku (made fro corn), TZet (made from corn), FuFu (made from yam), tubani (made from ground beans), and barbequed corn on the cob. Also available in Daboya are packaged spaghetti (talia), tomato sauce, condensed milk, tea bags (basic black), hot chocolate and coffee wannabe powders, canned mackerel in light tomato sauce, and popcorn (at times). You can also buy beef at an outdoor butcher shop and different kinds of fish since we are on a river so fishing is a big industry here. But I tend to stay away from the meat and fish. Fruits and vegetables available locally include mango, pineapple, watermelon, papaya, banana, plaintain, oranges, coconut, tomatos (but they are NOT Jersey Beefsteak Tomatos!), onions, and garlic. Oh - and the ever present pepe (peppers) which I avoid. Hey - I didn't eat jalapenos in Phoenix and I'm not going to eat Ghana hot peppers either. Call me a wimp if you want to. All of the aforementioned foods are available only in season in Daboya.<br /><br />When I shop in Tamale (about twice/mo), I pick up apples, carrots, lettuce or cabbage, green peppers, potatos, green beans, onions (the ones in Daboya are tiny), canned tuna, corned beef hash (which I NEVER ate in the States), jam (pretty good, actually), raisins, processed cheese, frozen hamburgers, frozen turkey hot dogs, baked beans, pickles, ketchup, mustard, mayo, oats (for breakfast), corn flakes (some Chinese brand!), canned corn, peas, or other veggies, sugar, lemon drops, and household stuff like dishwashing soap etc. Oh - and, although I can buy bread in Daboya, I always buy it in Tamale because I have this incredibly wonderful bread lady - Imama. She always has the best bread. I buy two loaves and she always "dashes" me a third loaf. In addition, if I haven't been in Tamale for awhile, she'll send a loaf on the bus with someone to deliver to me - FREE! We've developed a mutual admiration society and she sends me things she knows I like - green peppers, pineapple, bananas, tomatos - and when I come to Tamale, I bring her fish or buy her stuff in Tamale. She is also my ace in the hole for getting a seat on the bus. She always sells her bread by the Daboya bus so I let her know when I will be going back to Daboya and she makes sure to save me a seat on the bus. You don't realize how big a deal that is until you have tried to battle the crowd to get a seat! People in Ghana are the kindest, gentlest, most helpful people in the world ... unless they are trying to get a seat on a bus. Then it is survival of the fittest... and trust me, I'm not the fittest! So thank God for Imama.<br /><br />Ok - back to bread. Forget about HealthNut, Whole Wheat, 7 Grain, Rye, Pumpernickel, or most other types. Here you get your choice of white bread but it comes in different varieties. Sugar Bread is my favorite. Has a sweet (duh!) flavor to it and I love the texture. I think the most popular is Tea Bread (no idea why they call it that)which is kind of like French Bread without the good taste. Then there is Special Bread which is suposed to be the best but I don't taste the difference from Tea Bread. I'm sure there are a few others but those are the main ones.<br /><br />Fortifying my diet (and I mean that in the best way possible) is a whole variety of goodies (Oreos, Peanut M&Ms, licorice, and a whole host of others)provided mostly by my brother Rob, Phyllis, Ed & Alice, N.K. (she knows who she is)and a number of other friends who have contributed over the past two years. I even get healthy stuff in that category like dried fruit, cashews ad trail mix. So - over all, I'd say I have a pretty complete and balanced diet. Aren't you jealous?? Don't know how I'll survive when I get back to the States. Maybe some of my friends here can send me CARE packages.....larryphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03582657707875652570noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-779232183348036602.post-58705445181724603472009-04-22T01:29:00.000-07:002009-04-22T01:49:15.965-07:00VACATION!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfP44o2QO1D_J-AYW0VzmFlPPa0vSbcEHazwFA4UV_MYunStqxm1xB9g7lFwWindhtz8eijvDutJ_aANUOvOpC2QzGXTABZad6WMQ6wPLd02DQY62NoJKqd5xSfnBymGN_A8CJnZaqRZQ/s1600-h/elephant+sanctuary+030.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfP44o2QO1D_J-AYW0VzmFlPPa0vSbcEHazwFA4UV_MYunStqxm1xB9g7lFwWindhtz8eijvDutJ_aANUOvOpC2QzGXTABZad6WMQ6wPLd02DQY62NoJKqd5xSfnBymGN_A8CJnZaqRZQ/s200/elephant+sanctuary+030.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327434225911262786" /></a><br />Yeah – I know – I just had a vacation when Phyllis was here in January but that was in country. This was my first foray out of Ghana since I've been here. Besides – all work and no play……….<br /><br />Hey – I just realized that I never said anything about my holiday with Phyllis. How rude of me. You must ALL (not sure if there are thousands who read my blog or just my brother and sister) be despondent, having waited a month to hear about my vacation and then I come up with some lame entry about the heat in Daboya! Well, I need to rectify that but I don't want to write an epic this month so I'll summarize the previous vacation. A good time was had by all! Ok, Ok, cheap shot. Here's a bit more.<br /><br />Phyllis (for those of you not fortunate enough to know her, she has been a good friend since we were teens in White Meadow Lake. I'm proud to say that she considers me one of her closest girlfriends!) flew into Accra on Wednesday. Unfortunately, I got to Accra to meet her on Tuesday! No worries, mate. I discovered my error before shlepping to the airport and my friends in Accra, Raj and Birgit and their brand new baby (who is sooooooo cute!) were kind enough to put up with me for a second night. I recommend their place for anyone visiting Accra. Bed is soft, food is great, and the price is right (Just kidding Raj – hopefully you won't have a line of people at your door next week asking for the Pearlman Special Rate). We had a leisurely day shopping in Accra followed by a whirlwind Thursday where we took an early flight to Tamale, were picked up by my friend and tour guide Walisu and taken on his wonderful tour of the villages around Tamale, then off by Metro bus for the 2 hour ride to Daboya , canoe across the river and the 15 minute trek to my place in 117 degree heat. Then Phyllis collapsed and told me not to bother her for the rest of the week. <br /><br />Trooper that she is, she rallied the next day to get a tour of Daboya (with my good friend Musah as guide) and sit in on the very end of the Chief's meeting …. With the Chief's horse standing right in the middle of it! <br /><br />Oops – this is turning into that epic so I'll go to fast forward. We saw elephants, baboons, monkeys, warthogs, and different types of antelope type critters at Mole Park (where you have to lock your door to keep out the baboons who want to steal food), enjoyed a lunch with new PC Volunteer Hannah at The Junction (thank you Hannah), relaxed into a VERY (we were the only ones there) peaceful time at Kintampo Falls where we cooled off sitting on a rock with our feet in the water. Spent a night at the soul-restoring Kristo Buase Monastery north of Techiman and explored their gorgeous grounds the next morning before stopping in Nsuta to visit the family who hosted me during my 10 week training period. Then down to Cape Coast to enjoy the quaint quiet of this fishing village on the ocean offset by the stark horror of the slave trade story which came to life as we toured Elmina Castle. A bit frazzled by this point in our travels (we covered a lot of miles!), we stopped at Anamabo Beach Resort for a scrumptious lunch and a few hours of walking in the surf, watching the sand crabs, and laying on the beach (hey – it's a tough life but SOMEBODY has to do it!). Then back to Accra and the next day Phyl winged her way back to the Western way of life and I took the 16 hour drive back to Daboya.<br /><br />NOW – South Africa. Along with the long bus ride to Accra, this trip entailed a long red-eye flight from Accra to Johannesberg but, after riding in tro-tros for 18 months, airplanes are comfortable! Besides, I got to watch two movies that weren't Nigerian films. BIG plus! HUGE shout-out to my good friend Louise who not only put up with me for 3 weeks but also planned our whole time together. Easiest vacation I've ever taken. Thank you, thank you, thank you Weezy!! It was a lovely mix of seeing great places, meeting awesome people, a fun road trip (and we travel well together so NO bickering) through some incredibly beautiful country, enough down time to relax, GREAT FOOD, participation in two Emissary Sunday services and an Attunement Workshop weekend (for those not familiar with attunement, you MUST contact Louise at lbroomberg@gmail.com and begin a dialogue), quality time with a good friend, and delightfully COOL weather.<br /><br />First (well, OK, obviously this isn't "first" so I should say "Next" but that just doesn't sound right), I'd like to mention the amazing people that make up Louise's relatives, friends, and acquaintances. I can't begin to talk about all of them so I'll slight everyone by not mentioning anyone except to say how much I enjoyed their buoyant spirit, open hearts, and fun personalities. OK – I will mention 4 people. Rinky and Denny (Louise's sisters) made the time feel like home rather than vacation which made it a very special vacation. Sylvia, Louise's mother, has enough life substance that it is a pleasure just being in her presence. And the entire 3 weeks was infused with the spirit of Louise's Dad, Harold, who passed away recently. My frynt, it was good visiting your home and feeling your love.<br /><br />Louise greeted me by telling me that I was the guest speaker at Denny's meditation group the next day. It was a small, intimate group in a comfy living room setting after tea and cookies and we had a time of sharing heart space that was a lovely way to start my time in Joberg (hey – that's what the natives call it). We followed that with the Attunement Workshop which was held at HighView Gardens – a fairytale beautiful place on the highest hill rising up over central Joberg. Louise was brilliant (as always) in her presentation aided and abetted ably and passionately by Trish. Everyone in the workshop had at least some experience with attunement so there was rich substance to work with and it was an excellent weekend.<br /><br />Monday we headed off on our road trip to Zimbabwe ("Zim" to the locals). Here are some random reflections on the trip:<br /><br />* Zim may be a political and economic mess but the country is beautiful, as are the people<br />* We were warned about the terrible potholes in the roads but it would be one of the nicest roads in northern Ghana!!<br />* We were also warned that it would take HOURS to cross the border while standing in endless lines but we whisked through in very short order in both directions.<br />* Zim police are not impressed with a Peace Corps ID Card and will find some reason to fine you!<br />* Victoria Falls – what can I say? I could wax eloquent for pages but I'll just say that everyone should go see it and get soaked like we did.<br />* Bought a $100 TRILLION bill for $1 and they threw in a $10 Billion bill and a $20 Billion bill. Now that's some serious inflation! They have now scrapped the<br /> currency completely and began using the S.A. Rand.<br />* Nice hotels and B&B's are a bargain compared to US prices<br />* Seems like most of Zim is game preserve so we saw all kinds of interesting<br /> game animals all over the place including an elephant 10` away.<br />* A very special time at the Gwaai Hotel. Ask Louise for details.<br /><br />After great hospitality by cousin Dave in Bulawayo and friend Trevor in Vic Falls, we returned to Joberg out of cash (can't use debit cards or credit cards in Zim!). Highlights for the last week included offering a noon time presentation on "Thinking Outside of the Box" for Rinky's company, a vibrant (to say the least) dance / music show depicting South African music from ancient times to today, sitting in on a rehearsal of the world famous Soweto Choir, and a visit to an elephant sanctuary which I loved. Always wanted to ride an elephant and now I have. Much safer than bunji jumping! <br /><br />During this 3 weeks I became addicted to cricket, "Idols" (both American and S. African versions), and "The Great Race" so I'm going through withdrawal now.<br /><br />OK – this really did turn out longer than I was planning and I could go on for days. In fact, be warned, I WILL go on for days when I see you in person!! But for now, it's time to let you get back to your email.<br /><br />Love and Hugs from Africa…….Larrylarryphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03582657707875652570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-779232183348036602.post-6897315991693834202009-03-15T10:51:00.000-07:002009-03-15T10:59:12.219-07:00"And the Winner is…"Last year, before I got a thermometer, I wondered if Daboya was hotter than Phoenix. Now, the data has been gathered and the verdict is in. The envelope please. And the winner is……….DABOYA!! With apologies to my long-suffering friends back in Phoenix, it's not even close. Since entering hot season here (March / April), which compares to summer in Phoenix, my thermometer (mostly in shade) registers 117 -119 routinely with "cool" days still hitting 107-108. We get 117+ in Phoenix but it is rare. Here it is almost daily. Granted, I've seen 122 in Phoenix and nothing over 119 in Daboya but that was once in 30 years and I've only been watching temps in Daboya for a few months. Plus, it's early in the hot season. I'm sure we'll see 120+.<br /><br />Although I'm hoping to miss it. Mrs. Pearlman raised no fools so, after experiencing hot season last year, I set up a 3 week vacation to S. Africa this year from 3/16 – 4/7. If I'm lucky, rainy season will start early and I'll come back in time for the cool weather.<br /><br />OK – so let's talk about the "cool" weather. The coldest time here is Dec / Jan (just like Phoenix) when the temp range is 65 – 105 compared to 30 – 75 in Phoenix. So – NO CONTEST – Daboya would win the "fry an egg on the sidewalk" contest….except we have no sidewalks here! In fact, we have no asphalt here. But at least we have eggs here!<br /><br />Interestingly, it doesn't <strong>feel</strong> as hot here but I'm sure that's due to relative contrast. In Phoenix I would be writing this in an air conditioned building at maybe 75-85 degrees. Then I would go out into 105. In Daboya, I'm writing this in 119 degree heat and then I will go out into………119. Of course, inside feels more comfortable (I have learned that "comfort" is a relative term!) because of the shade – until nightfall when the radiant heat from the zinc roof makes it hotter inside than out. But the point is, if you're already hot, going out into the "heat" doesn't feel as bad as going from comfortably cool into the heat.<br /><br />Well, as I've said for 30 years in Phoenix, I may not like heat but I HATE cold so I can't complain too much.<br /><br />Something occurred to me this week and I thought I should mention it on the blog. The mail service in Ghana, although not terrible, is not necessarily dependable. Therefore, it is entirely possible that a letter you may have sent to me never made it to me or one I sent to you never made it to you. Rest assured, I reply to any letter I get within a week (I have really learned to appreciate letter writing here). It may take another week to get to a post office and then 2-3 weeks to get to you from when it is mailed. Factoring in 3-4 weeks for your letter to have gotten to me, and you should hear back from me within 2 months from when you mailed your letter. Soooooo…. If you sent me a letter more than 2 months ago, it either didn't make it to me or my reply didn't make it to you. Please feel free to write again and we'll hope for better luck.<br /><br />'Til Next Time..........larryphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03582657707875652570noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-779232183348036602.post-45804018635498854782009-02-03T07:20:00.000-08:002009-02-03T07:36:02.699-08:00What's Happening with the Chief?Well, we are DEFINITELY in the dry season. NO rain since October 11. Feels just like Arizona! This part of the dry season (Harmattan)is when the winds bring the dust down from the Sahara. Nights and mornings cool off (get "down" to 65 or so) though afternoons usually still go to 105 and above. My favorite part of this time of year is NO BUGS!! Well, OK -- something is still biting me but it is sooooooo nice compared to the proliferation of insects during the rainy season. It's nice walking around outside at night and not getting dive bombed by a virtual flotilla (cool word, huh?) of flying pests.<br /><br />It feels like I haven't been working much lately but our temporary Visitors' Centre is ready for business (y'all come!), the foundation is laid for the permanent Visitors' Centre, the gound has been cleared for a regional market place, we have a committee working with an NGO to build a library, our fishermen have formed an association and met with another NGO to start an exciting progrm that will hlep restore and preserve the White Volta River while improving their bottom line, a group of students has put on a play to increase awareness about HIV / AIDS and people living with HIV and plan to do additional performances and create a video, and my Vocational School students are preparing for their Feb. exams. So, I guess I must be doing more than crossword puzzles!<br /><br />Oh - and I'm no longer on foot. I finally got a bike and it didn't take long to spoil me! Amazing how much faster I can get around now. If I can just keep avoiding the rocks, deep sand, potholes, chickens, goats, sheep, cows, toddlers, children, pedestrians, other bicycles, tractors, and motos. Who says there's no traffic in Daboya??!!<br /><br />I start vacation tomorrow along with my friend Phyllis who is coming to visit. She will get to see all the things you just get to read about on my blog! I'm hoping to even have her come to a Chief's meeting! In addition, we'll do the tourist thing together so I'll get to see Mole National Park, Kintampo Falls, Fuller Falls, Kristo Buase Monastery, Elmina Slave Castle in Cape Coast, and revisit Anamabo Beach for a few hours to finally relax after all that! We'll let you know how it went next entry.<br /><br />Much Love from Ghana..........Larrylarryphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03582657707875652570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-779232183348036602.post-80155731862039305872008-12-05T06:03:00.000-08:002008-12-05T06:30:47.917-08:00Good...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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Love and Hugs from Ghana...........Larrylarryphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03582657707875652570noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-779232183348036602.post-38948004560248190142008-11-20T15:36:00.000-08:002008-11-20T15:48:19.409-08:00Impressions of Northern Ghana<b style=""><span style="font-size:14;"><o:p></o:p></span></b>A young girl running next to a bus in 100-degree heat to make sure someone gets there 15 pesewa (15 cents) change for the Pure Water sachet they bought through the window when the bus stopped at a traffic light. <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>A farmer with a dusty, torn open shirt coming down the dirt path from his farm after sundown – his broad chest glistening black with sweat, his ever present cutlass (machete) bound to the burlap bag of maize on the back of his bicycle with a rubber inner tube, and his bright, white teeth in a broad grin as he greets me.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Three market women pounding fufu together in a perfectly syncopated rhythm.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Children walking to school in their uniforms – blue for the Jr. Secondary School, brown for the primary school, and kind of Gingham for the pre-school.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Strong, graceful women walking back into town from the bush with a pile of firewood balanced seemingly effortlessly on their heads.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>A baby suckling his mother's breast on a crowded bus while the stranger beside her holds her other baby.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>A cargo truck filled so impossibly with people hanging off every side that you just know it will topple over when it hits one of the innumerable deep ruts in what is supposed to be a road.<span style=""> </span>Sometimes, it does.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Fishermen sitting and patiently repairing their nets like a seamstress sewing a dress.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Incredibly beautiful and varied cloud formations morphing into brilliant textured canvas for the evening's sunset.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>An outside wall bathed in fluorescent light so thickly covered with flying insects that you cannot tell what color the wall is. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Baby goats cavorting with each other just the day after they were born.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The Muslim call to prayer issuing from a dozen mosques' speakers at <st1:time minute="0" hour="4">4 am</st1:time>, <st1:time minute="0" hour="13">1 pm</st1:time>, <st1:time minute="0" hour="15">3 pm</st1:time>, <st1:time minute="0" hour="18">6 pm</st1:time> and again at <st1:time minute="30" hour="19">7:30 pm</st1:time>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Men napping under trees during the heat of the day.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Students standing and saying, in unison, "Good Morning Sir.<span style=""> </span>How are you Sir?" when their teacher walks into the classroom.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Women in their brightly colored two-yards resembling a garden of beautiful flowers.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>A gathering of chiefs in their traditional smocks and hats sitting at the feet of the Paramount Chief, heatedly discussing the case before them in their native tongue.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Magical Kapok and majestic Dawadawa trees.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Celebrations – weddings, passing outs (graduations), naming ceremonies, enskinments, festivals – happening at the Bode (town square) or at someone's family compound.<span style=""> </span>And the seemingly daily funerals.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Ebunto (the riverside) – busy with women doing wash, women carrying water in huge basins on their heads, beggars, canoes with travelers, tourists, bicycles and motos, goats, sheep, and cattle, huge bags of maize, cassava, and groundnuts headed for the Tamale market, smaller canoes with fishermen, and people bathing or cooling off in the river.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The barrenness of the dry season being engulfed by the jungle-like greenery of the rainy season.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Children running barefoot moving a large wheel rim next to them with a stick – bringing to mind the time in America of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>People sleeping on the ground outside of their rooms because it is too hot to sleep inside.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The sky turned brown with the desert sand and high winds of the Harmattan (Dec / Jan).</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>1/2 built homes everywhere.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The beauty, mystery, and assurance of the Milky Way and Orion in beautiful night skies.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Chop bar "fast food".</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Infants sleeping in impossible heat wrapped to their mother's back in a two-yard.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Barefoot girls of all ages playing / dancing Ampe.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Futbol (soccer) matches on dusty fields.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>A small boy with doe's eyes leading a blind woman beggar to cars at a traffic light.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>These are just some of the images that will be with me the rest of my life connecting me to <st1:country-region><st1:place>Ghana</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style=""> </span>I cannot do them justice with these few words but I hope they bring you some feel of what my world is like.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>larryphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03582657707875652570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-779232183348036602.post-79268310604386312672008-10-15T12:30:00.000-07:002008-10-15T12:48:13.571-07:00I AM the Grinning Idiot!<o:p></o:p>You know the one I mean.<span style=""> </span>He / she might be a German / Spanish / Italian / African / Russian / Japanese tourist or immigrant and they are asking you for directions or other information they need as they try to function in a foreign land without knowing much of the language.<span style=""> </span>You are, somewhat, patiently trying to tell them what they need to know or maybe you’re just trying to figure out what it is they are asking.<span style=""> </span>You repeat your statements / questions clearly and slowly but the only response you get is a big smile, lots of nodding, and maybe “yes – yes”.<span style=""> </span>After a while, you realize that this person has absolutely no clue what you are saying and you think to yourself, “This person is just a grinning idiot.”<span style=""> </span>THAT’S ME!<span style=""> </span>I have become the grinning idiot!<span style=""> </span>Try as I might (well – OK – I could do more to learn the language), I have just a rudimentary grasp of Gonja and to have any chance to understand what someone is saying, I have to keep saying, “Jande, langa malaga Boen boen” (“Please, say it again slower”).<span style=""> </span>Then I stand there, grinning, trying my best to figure out what they are saying, nodding, and saying the Gonja equivalent of “yes, yes”.<span style=""> </span>The usual outcome is that I walk away bemused, uninformed, feeling totally inept and recommitting myself to REALLY make an effort to learn this language.<span style=""> </span> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>After 27 months of this experience, I HOPE I will become much more patient and kind-hearted with others in the same boat when I return to the States.<span style=""> </span>I implore you to do the same.<span style=""> </span>It is no fun being the grinning idiot!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>I am also going through another humbling experience; however, this is one I do have some history with.<span style=""> </span>You know how it is when you are first learning a new job or hobby?<span style=""> </span>Well, I have just begun learning how to weave.<span style=""> </span>Figured I should get personally involved in the activity that Daboya is known for.<span style=""> </span>Plus, this way I can weave gifts for my loved ones back home…..who may not love me quite as much when they see the quality of the gift they get!!<span style=""> </span>And for any of you loved ones reading this, don’t consider this a promise.<span style=""> </span>I may find weaving WAY too frustrating to ever get anything actually woven!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>At this point, I am on step 1, which is simply walking back and forth with the thread, winding it around posts in a particular (simple) pattern to gather it in a specific configuration from which I will make the yarn.<span style=""> </span>I have watched this process dozens of time.<span style=""> </span>Seven-year old children do it without a second thought.<span style=""> </span>I have already screwed up too many times to count!<span style=""> </span>Even so, as I move on to the steps that take skill, dexterity, and intelligence, I’ll probably wish I was back on step 1.<span style=""> </span>I’ll keep you informed as I progress.</p><p class="MsoNormal">We are transitioning from rainy season to dry season and, although we have still had some rain 3 out of the last 5 days, the clouds are getting much thinner and the heat is being turned up. So it will be getting hotter but the good news is that we're only maybe 5-6 weeks from the start of Harmattan season. The winds come down from the Sahara desert, the dust blots out the sun and it is the coldest time of the year (not to be confused with Minnesota!) and therefore my favorite.</p>Our temporary Visitors' Centre (they spell it the English way here) is ready and waiting for furniture. We had a successful fund-raising in town (but no bake sales, car washes, or yard sales), bought the necessary boards, nails, and plywood and the carpenter should be building the furniture this week. We're also having curtains, a drape, and a tablecloth woven out of fugu (the local weaving product) and a local signmaker will be doing our sign so we're keeping a lot of the money we raised right here in the community. When we get the sign up, I'll take pics and get at least one (it takes forever!) downloaded to this site.<br /><br />Ok - that's it for now. Someone said something about baking cookies.............<br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>larryphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03582657707875652570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-779232183348036602.post-15665014639110132022008-09-13T16:53:00.000-07:002008-09-13T17:29:06.592-07:00"NCHU ABA GA"For those wishing to learn Gonja, that means "The water is rising big time!" During rainy season, two things happen in this neck of the woods - it rains (DUH!!) and Burkina Faso (the country to the north of Ghana) releases water from their dams since they are also getting a bunch of rain. Combining those things is what caused the flooding in Daboya last year. This year, we have been lucky and it hasn't gotten quite as high but the river sure looks a LOT different than it does in dry season. Though no homes were destroyed this year, many farms were lost to the flood waters. The good news, however, is that the water level has now started to drop so we should be out of the woods (well....out of the water) now. I have been gone for a week at a conference in Kumasi (Great hotel, good food, a swimming pool, nice weather, and NO MOSQUITOS (Hallelujah!) so I had a wonderful time and the sessions (HIV / AIDS) were interesting and helpful) and will be here in Tamale for 2 days so I'll see for myself the level of the river on Monday when I return and take my canoe ride to Daboya. In dry season, that is a 5 minute ride. When I left for Kumasi, it took 30 minutes!<br /><br />Good news: I bought another cell phone. For those who never erased my number, it stays the same. Together with the country code and everything, you dial 011 233 27 311 0018 to get me. Just remember there is a 4-5 hour time difference (dependent on daylight savings) between here and the East Coast. It is later here, so 9 pm East Coast time is at least 1 am here ...... bad time to call! I bought a case and a strap for this phone so I WILL NOT LOSE IT!<br /><br />Bad news: I did not get chosen as part of the training team for the new PC trainees but I have found my peace with that and I'm sure I'm just where I need to be. I'll have two of the trainees with me at Daboya for a few days to get a feel for what this Peace Corps life is all about and I'm looking forward to spending the time with them.<br /><br />Great Big Thank Yous to Rob, Carol, Mike, Phyllis, and Weezy who, along with Kara, sent me VERY nice birthday CARE packages. UNLIKE Kara's, which got to me around my birthday in mid-July, all of these took two months to get here and then all came at the same time! So I went from no snacks in my house to being a veritable convenience store!! You want brownies, I got 'em. You want Oreos, Hershey's Almond Kisses, Peanut M&M's? I got 'em. How about Licorice AllSorts, Good and Plenty, Gummi Bears, or Marshmallow Candy? I got 'em. All in all - over 20 kinds of snacks and that doesn't include the REI style dinners and desserts and non-food items that now line my shelves. I am literally in Fat City!! So Thank You, Thank You, Thank You !!!!<br /><br />As for Tourism - things are moving along. We have our whole 34 person Management Team put together, Constitution finalized, committees formed, and work started in many directions. Also putting together our budget right now. We may be needing some small financial assistance and Peace Corps has a vehicle to allow people to donate money to a specific project. Watch for details on this blog site when we are in position to launch our request. You could also let me know that you are interested in supporting this project by sending me your email address and I'll create a distribution list to notify when we are ready.<br /><br />HEY - speaking of good news - I see that my Arizona Cardinals WON their season opener against the 49ers. Undefeated so far, baby!! The bad news is that we play the Dolphins tomorrow. That's my big brother's team and one of us is going to have to lose. I always have mixed emotions when we play the Dolphins or Giants (my niece Kara's team) or Green Bay (my buddy Mike's team) but I have to admit that I feel worse if the Cardinals lose than if their teams lose!!<br /><br />Believe it or not, 6 days from now will be the one year anniversary of my arrival in Ghana! Amazing how fast the time goes by. It has been a good year with memorable experiences - most good, some not so good, but all will make good stories for when I get back to the U.S.<br /><br />That's it for now. Keep those cards and letters coming.<br /><br />"Kasa chau asau".........("Love is better than things")................Larrylarryphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03582657707875652570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-779232183348036602.post-37671949038531331962008-08-05T15:19:00.000-07:002008-08-05T17:42:19.553-07:00ICE CREAM!! Real and otherwise<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_sEuPn-8b7x7njC3LK_BoJSH0n5r15lr_PhPfMuFaTAEwJ6oY2KJ3dDxEDe-wDuV2YUZXhYQtN1gaHUIBSciJlFKF-QSskBfOKYgOFQSOXdV32aIVbsJ8Ml_SsjNbDSOnPvFMFDJtrM/s1600-h/vienetta2[1].jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231185793850898114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_sEuPn-8b7x7njC3LK_BoJSH0n5r15lr_PhPfMuFaTAEwJ6oY2KJ3dDxEDe-wDuV2YUZXhYQtN1gaHUIBSciJlFKF-QSskBfOKYgOFQSOXdV32aIVbsJ8Ml_SsjNbDSOnPvFMFDJtrM/s200/vienetta2%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I have finally tried those freeze-dried ice cream sandwiches, courtesy of my sister Carol and my friend Phyllis, that I had seen for years at the REI stores. They are a little weird but not bad at all - especially when you are in Ghana and probably 3000 miles from the closest Haagen-dazs store! I tried putting mine in the freezer but that really didn't make much of a difference. Anyway, thanks Carol and Phyllis for sending them. I even held off eating either of them until my birthday so I could have it as a treat!<br /><br />But tonight I hit the jackpot! I'm staying at the Peace Corps sub-office in Tamale. Another PCV from my group, Alicia, came over with a box of Vienetta Brownie ice cream! We have indeed seen this rare animal here in Ghana but it is outside the bounds of a Peace Corps budgetso it has always stayed on the other side of the glass. She was in a store this evening as the store managers were about to throw this treasure out due to the fact that it had long passed the expiration date. After much animated pleading, cajoling, and just plain begging, she convinced them to give it to her ..... FREE.... but with a stern warning that she would probably get sick since it had expired in March. She, of course, shared this warning with me but anyone who knows me knows that I never pay attention to expiration dates.....right, Kara??<br />Hell - March was less than 5 months ago. That's still this year! In light of the fact that the fridge is broken here, we decided we would just have to eat it all NOW. It was SO GOOD!!! If I get violently ill later tonight, it was still worth it!<br /><br />But you probably didn't come here just to hear about my just desserts so what else can I tell you? Progress on the Tourism project is going slow primarily due to the fact that we are in rainy season. This slows things down for two reasons. First - this is the busiest time of year for farmers and just about everyone has some kind of farm here - at least enough to grow food for their own family. So that means you can only have effective meetings on Friday (since this is a Muslim community, nobody works on Friday). Secondly, Ghanaians don't come out in the rain. So, if you have a 4:00 meeting and there are ominous clouds at 3:00, nobody will come. No, really ....NOBODY will come!! That wouldn't be such a big deal except that THIS IS RAINY SEASON!!! It doesn't rain EVERY day but on any given day it's a pretty good bet that you will get some rain at some time. I just have to hope that it's not anywhere close to our meeting time. Given all of that, we are making some progress. At our next meeting, I'm hoping to form committees to begin work on the 7 projects that we have identified as those we can complete or get a good start on by the end of this year. They are: rounding out our Tourism Management Team by adding two representatives from each of the 13 areas of Daboya, completing our constitution, creating a visitor registration area, defining and pricing our tourism "products", identifying home stay and stand-alone guest accomodation sites for overnight visitors, implementing a sanitation plan to provide a clean, healthy, attractive environment, and providing a clean, decent toilet facility for visitors. If we can at least get a good jump on all of those by January, we'll be going in the right direction. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwX8N2a1mpMYYg1X5pt0Es6-_n2atgmW5mT7YYvRWfYXaVedgvzrK0i6TDadwgg-X8wuX5ZIfEJO9aXicmf452HTkLpX5QeL8Yko6TQx94kWZD8mNiA28mu8AFJexUADwslNMT7JqJaU/s1600-h/Peace+Camp.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231191962793611426" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwX8N2a1mpMYYg1X5pt0Es6-_n2atgmW5mT7YYvRWfYXaVedgvzrK0i6TDadwgg-X8wuX5ZIfEJO9aXicmf452HTkLpX5QeL8Yko6TQx94kWZD8mNiA28mu8AFJexUADwslNMT7JqJaU/s200/Peace+Camp.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I'm also hoping to be chosen as one of the 2nd year PCV's (that's right folks - by the middle of next month I will have been in Ghana a year!!) to participate in the pre-service training for the new batch of PC trainees who will arrive in September. I found the contribution of the PCV's to my training class to be very valuable and would like the opportunity to pay that back. Plus, I think it would be a lot of fun ..... a lot of hard work, but a lot of fun. And since I spent 13 years as a trainer I think I have something to offer in that capacity.<br /><br />OK - that's it from your roving reporter in Ghana. Sending you all my love and hoping everything is going well in the land of Ben and Jerry's and Baskin Robbins (I know Sherry, Haagen-dazs is the only REAL ice cream....but I'll take anything I can get!)<br /><br />Love and Hugs..........Larry (Chief Quarterswura)larryphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03582657707875652570noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-779232183348036602.post-29239771687252393052008-06-25T00:10:00.000-07:002008-06-25T03:51:48.131-07:00THE MARINES HAVE LANDED!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeDiO__WUtsTGxU9YLc2Q54Ls12Dk77b5Q2fxBJwn0l3ULixM0zt9pgmE296wmsGFWTEm3AyfN9SWwIUUoBrxjexWUH24yxeyqc0XvGG_7BQcT-y_oXNCI6qf40DsrKFNmLr4xpT3cNU/s1600-h/IMG_0960.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeDiO__WUtsTGxU9YLc2Q54Ls12Dk77b5Q2fxBJwn0l3ULixM0zt9pgmE296wmsGFWTEm3AyfN9SWwIUUoBrxjexWUH24yxeyqc0XvGG_7BQcT-y_oXNCI6qf40DsrKFNmLr4xpT3cNU/s200/IMG_0960.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215769141266199298" /></a><br />More exactly, the U.S. Marines, Air Force, Army and Navy have landed…in Daboya! No, this is not an invasion to take control of Daboya’s amazing smocks, although our guys in uniform did purchase some smocks, jackets, sack dresses, hats, wall-hangings, and even a hammock made from Daboya’s famous textile cloth to take back home with them. This was entirely a mission to help out Ghana and it was a huge success. It was a combined effort of the Marines 23rd regiment, 1st battalion, Alpha / Bravo / Charlie companies, Air Force 404th Medical battalion contingent, Navy field medical personnel, and a 5 man Army Med Cap Vet Tech team (apologies to the Army and Navy – I didn’t get their Regiment numbers). It consisted of a mix of reservists and active duty guys and gals under the joint command of Lt. Colonel Kindorf (reserve) and Lt. Colonel Leonard (active), both of whom represented their country and their outfits exceptionally well. Well………except for that attempt at cultural dancing by Lt. Col. Leonard!!! (Just kidding – he actually did pretty well) The word “Marines” conjures up thoughts of an elite fighting force and indeed they are that but they also do much more in the world that usually goes unnoticed. Since I have now noticed, I wanted to spread the word. Part of their mission here was to help train Ghanaian soldiers at the Ghanaian military training camp just outside of Daboya. But in addition to that, this was a humanitarian mission (I found out that they do a LOT of these around the world). The Air Force doctors who accompanied them set up shop for medical, dental, and optical care and saw hundreds of people from Daboya and the surrounding villages absolutely FREE OF CHARGE! This is the type of medical attention that these people would have absolutely no access to in any other way. But they did not stop there. By special arrangement with the Paramount Chief of Daboya, they brought over specialized veterinary equipment and treated a great many goats, sheep, and cattle while in the midst of a downpour! After all, the motto of the Marines is “Adapt and Overcome”. And to top off the medical aspect of their service here, they donated about $15 – 20,000 of left-over medical supplies to the Daboya Medical Clinic which serves about 45 villages. This included pre-natal vitamins, reading glasses, drugs, bandages, and many other items desperately needed in this area. This part of the mission also required Marines, working shoulder to shoulder with Daboyans, to be out in pouring rain racing against time so the cardboard boxes wouldn’t fall apart completely before they got delivered to the clinic. One Marine, Cpl. Jacob Pillion, was soaked to the bone as he taught Daboyans how to form a “bucket brigade” to get the supplies from the truck to the canoes (yep, we had to haul it all across the river in canoes!), the canoes to a tractor, and the tractor into the clinic. And he was not required to continue with us once the supplies were delivered across the river. He chose to stay with it and see the job completed. But you had to be here to see how much further this visit went toward creating understanding and friendship, which is the foundation for peace and the Peace Corps. mission. Many of the Marines and the Ghanaian soldiers have formed close friendships and the Marine, Navy, Army and Air Force personnel who got to visit Daboya and some of the other villages were enthralled with learning about another culture. You had to see the smiles as they watched the joy of the children RUNNING to have their pictures taken with U.S. military personnel. Or Marines carrying supplies on their heads like the Ghanaians do. And you CAN see Capt. Rico Reyes learning a new dance from the children (video attached)! The trip was wrapped up with futbol (read “soccer”) games between the U.S. military personnel vs. the Ghanaian military and then the Daboya Town Team vs a combined U.S. / Ghana military team. Speaking of soccer, one of the officers (Larry Cox of Pearland, Texas) is arranging through St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church to send 200 soccer balls to me to be distributed among the villages in our area. That will bring HUGE smiles to the faces of sooooooo many children (and adults!) in an area where “futbol” is second only to breathing as a requirement of life. Thank you for your generous heart. I could detail who won the war games and soccer games, but it really doesn’t matter. Everyone was a winner as a result of this interaction between U.S. military personnel and Ghanaian soldiers and villagers. Especially ME since I got to enjoy some American food (even if they were MRE’s) including chocolate cake and chocolate chip cookies! A very special Thank You to Capt. “Bud” Colby who spent a LOT of time shepherding me and Musah around the camp making sure we met the right people, stayed fed and watered, and generally had a ball while also making it possible for us to make the right connections to help our Daboyan friends. I got to meet a bunch of men and women (including Col. Rick Hirsch of my home town of Phoenix!) that I am proud to say serve my country. Thanks guys and gals. A big salute goes out to all of you.<br /><OBJECT class=BLOG_video_class id=BLOG_video-a94d3d699bce0fb9 height=266 width=320 contentId="a94d3d699bce0fb9"></OBJECT>larryphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03582657707875652570noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-779232183348036602.post-2924154789837512202008-06-04T16:43:00.000-07:002008-06-04T17:41:43.502-07:00What does it mean when they say.....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyK8TbnnkdPiydJmyn5kLMD9dF4YdHwTZqggiRA0JXyxdhb8TwOeiZ0oCoD0OFrpZXFbO80ZYMcOYJFiQ4c0jYu-T9PyiiFhlnu2ZG35-Cl9U2lYtPy8NupwfPFohZCrUSLmMXk_KRrg/s1600-h/IMG_0400.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyK8TbnnkdPiydJmyn5kLMD9dF4YdHwTZqggiRA0JXyxdhb8TwOeiZ0oCoD0OFrpZXFbO80ZYMcOYJFiQ4c0jYu-T9PyiiFhlnu2ZG35-Cl9U2lYtPy8NupwfPFohZCrUSLmMXk_KRrg/s200/IMG_0400.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208187964842338146" /></a><br />Well - here we are in June. In Arizona, I would be resigning myself to 4 long hot months. Here in Daboya, this is when the rains come and cool things off .... relatively speaking. It never actually gets "cool" here but it is a LOT cooler than March and April!<br /><br />I met a most interesting woman in Tamale. Her name is Madame Hajara and she owns a hair salon. Her husband died when her 3 children were young and it made her very aware of how difficult it can be for children with just one parent, not to mention orphans. She decided there was something she could do and began taking in orphaned girls to train them how to be hair dressers so they would always be able to care for themselves. She has 13 apprentices right now and there are hair dressers all over Ghana who have been trained by Madame Hajara. You can see the joy in her face when she opens her photo albums and shows you pictures of "her girls". Anywhere you go in the world, you can meet wonderful people and it's fun to share their stories.<br /><br />A few terms you should know if you visit Ghana:<br /><br />What They Say//What It Means<br /><br />It's just there.//It's anywhere from 100 feet to 100 miles in that direction<br /><br />I'll come after 3:00 prayers //I'll come sometime between 4:00 today and 4:00 next Tuesday<br /><br />The bus leaves at 4:00// The bus leaves sometime between 4:30 and 8<br /><br />He took her books.//He took her books. OR He took his books. ORShe took her books. OR She took his books. There is no pronoun gender differentiation.<br /><br />I'm coming (always said as they're going the other way//I'll be back....some time.<br /><br />I will do that, by God's grace//I will do that........or I won't.<br /><br />Yes, I understand //Yes, I understand....or I don't<br /><br />Yes (When you have asked, "Would you like this or that?".)// They didn't understand the question<br /><br />His fadda and my mudda had one fadda, one mudda.//I'll get back to you on this one if I ever figure it out!<br /><br /> There are lots more of these but it's late and I haven't had much sleep the past two days so I can't think of anymore. Maybe next month.<br /><br />Have I mentioned how beautiful the night skies are here? Even if I have, it's worth mentioning again. Actually, they remind me of the night skies on the Navajo reservation in northern Arizona - far from the lights of the city. Sometimes I just put my mat outside and lay on my back and watch the stars. I recommend it for everyone.<br /><br />Would like to say more but I'm tuckered and going to call it a night.<br /><br />Love and Hugs to you all.larryphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03582657707875652570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-779232183348036602.post-17877767493192295822008-05-01T13:18:00.000-07:002008-05-01T13:40:36.830-07:00THINGS I HAVE LEARNED1. Ice Cream in Daboya is literally cream over ice – kind of like a snow cone. <br /> It’s really pretty good….but Baskin and Robbins will still be one of my first <br /> stops when I get home!<br />2. Closest thing to actual ice cream in Ghana is Fan Ice which is kind of a cross <br /> between ice cream and cake frosting. Not too bad. Fan Choco is a chocolate <br /> version. I like Fan Yogo best which is frozen strawberry yogurt. In the big <br /> cities you can find “Abruni” stores (stores for westerners) that have real ice <br /> cream.<br />3. Whether at Yankee Stadium or a dusty futbol field in Daboya, there are always <br /> food vendors at athletic events….it’s just that the food is very different!<br />4. HUGE appreciation for water!! And it’s only 4 cents per barrel!<br /> o You do NOT know how good cold water is until you live in a hot, dusty <br /> country with no ice cubes and you haven’t had cold water for months.<br /> o A cool bucket bath on a hot day<br /> o A hot bucket bath on a cold morning during Harmattan<br /> o A cool river to swim in <br /> o Schisotomiosis is a good reason NOT to swim in that river<br /> o Glorious rain to cool things off when you haven’t had any for 3 months<br /> o Pure water to make ice (I LOVE my fridge!) so I can have iced tea<br />5. Rural villages cancel school for a whole week to have school track meets<br /> o The students all run barefoot<br /> o The “track” is not nicely groomed sand or cinders<br /> o No matter where you live, people love a winner and forget who came in second<br /> o There are some wonderfully naturally gifted young people in rural areas who <br /> will never have the opportunity to develop their athletic skills<br />6. People get just as obsessed with their cell phones in Daboya as they do in Phoenix<br />7. If you live in a Muslim community, ALL meetings must be planned to start after<br /> prayer times and end before the next prayer time. This gets tricky for afternoon<br /> meetings since prayer times are at 1:00, 3:00, 6:00, and 7:30. It wouldn’t be <br /> too bad except for “Ghana time”. I had my first Community Meeting on Friday.<br /> Forty people were invited and it was scheduled for 3:30. Eleven came and they <br /> showed up at 5:15. Sooooo…my 90 minute meeting became 45 minutes.<br />8. Goats cough ....and climb trees.<br />9. Arizona evaporative cooling techniques work in Daboya (thank God!). During the <br /> hot season, it doesn’t get cool enough inside to sleep until about midnight or<br /> later. However, using what I learned in Phoenix, I can drape myself with a cold,<br /> wet sheet or towel and, since the ceiling fan is directly above my bed (by <br /> design!), I can go to bed earlier and have nice evaporative cooling.<br />10. Playful flirting between men and women is easily identifiable even if you don’t <br /> understand the language<br />11. Change your living context and what you thought of as deep rooted absolutes may <br /> change. I’ve seen strict vegetarians eat meat daily here. I’ve seen pet lovers <br /> eat cat and dog and love it (don’t worry Kara – your Uncle Larry hasn’t eaten <br /> either!). I’ve seen people who have been warned since birth about bones eat<br /> chicken bones, fish bones, and pretty much any bones that came with food they <br /> eat. I have personally brushed an army of ants off of my bread, knowing that I <br /> probably didn’t get them all, and then eat it. I’ve seen people who were very <br /> clean and sanitary back home eat stew out of a communal bowl with several other <br /> people with everyone eating with their fingers. And I don’t even want to talk <br /> about the toilets…..<br />12. Cashew nuts grow out of a fruit on trees. The people in Daboya eat the fruit <br /> but not the nuts. Those they sell to processors – mostly for export.<br />13. No matter where you are, most people are nice, some people are jerks, and some <br /> people are just plain bad. Though you have to be cautious, you can’t live your <br /> life watching out for the bad ones.<br />14. When you accept early on that you will probably lose everything you brought (a <br /> lesson I got from a Peace Corps Volunteer who has been here a year), it makes it <br /> much easier when things are lost, stolen, broken, water damaged, or just plain <br /> used up. Not a bad lesson to take back to the States. Your possessions aren’t<br /> that important ….REALLY!<br />15. Bright white smiles in beautiful black faces will ALWAYS make you smile!<br />16. Everybody loves Independence Day – whether it happens to be 7/4 or 3/6 – and 3/6 <br /> is just as hot in Daboya as 7/4 is in Arizona! I couldn’t believe that those <br /> kids stood and then marched in a parade for hours in that heat!<br />17. There are no nubile, topless women dancers during dance festivals – at least not <br /> in Daboya. Those old movies LIED!!<br /><br />OK – I think that’s enough for now. I’m enjoying communicating with you and reading your responses. I hope it’s fun for you too!larryphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03582657707875652570noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-779232183348036602.post-63376407890226811272008-04-05T08:07:00.000-07:002008-04-06T01:18:50.664-07:00ENSKINNED!!WOW – I never even thought I would <strong>meet</strong> an African village Chief and now I are one!! My “enskinning” date was April 4, 2008 and no, it doesn’t have anything to do with them removing any of my skin! It is called that because Chiefs sit on animal skins when they meet. In southern Ghana, they sit on stools and it is called being enstooled. Hey – I’m not making this up!!<br /><br />Anyway – I want to send my deepest appreciation and my most heart-felt apology to Cheri, Dahria, and Alicia who saw my original announcement with the date set at 3/31 and really went the extra mile (actually, a LOT more than one mile!) to come and be with me during the special day. They even brought gifts (no gold, frankincense, and myrrh though) and put up with one of the hottest days of the year. You guys are terrific and I am very glad you got to see my site but sooooo sorry that it was the wrong day. I know there were many others who would have loved to have come but it’s not like jumping in the car in the States and heading cross town! I still felt your support. And Cheri was amazing….she spent her last Ghana cedi to come BACK on Thursday so she could be there for the ceremony. Seeing her there really made me feel like I was seeing not only my other PCV friends but also folks from back home so an extra special THANK YOU to Cheri. It was so nice to share that day with you.<br /><br />I also have to mention the HUGE appreciation I have for my counterpart and friend Musah, even though he has no access to internet and will probably never read this. Talk about going out of your way! He not only educated me on what to expect and my responsibilities, his family did all of the cooking (I was responsible to feed what seemed like the whole village!), he opened his family compound for the celebration following the ceremony since my place is too small and too far from the Chief’s Palace, he arranged for all the gifts to be delivered to the 35 or so Sub-Chiefs that are due gifts, he helped me shop for all of the food, he wove my smock and hat (see pics if I can figure out how to post any!), and he was an absolute rock of support even though there was a lot going on in his life at the same time. Seriously do not know how I would have done it without him.<br /><br />So, what was the day like? I was at the Chief Warrior’s house at 6:30 am just to receive any Chiefs that might want to greet me early. The drums called me out to start the ceremony around 9:30. The same way that you can’t recall a lot of details about your own wedding, I’m not sure I remember much of the ceremony but I do have video for those who I see when I get home! I know there was drumming and ceremony including donning my new smock, hat, and walking stick and at the end, they picked me up, put me on the shoulders of a horse of a young man (who is in my English class so he daren’t drop me or he’d flunk for the year!) and then carried me in the midst of a screaming throng to Musah’s compound. I remember the ride clearly enough because, although I smiled all the way, I was scared to death! They don’t just “carry” you, they bounce you like a trotting horse! Put that together with the uneven, unpaved ground and the milling throng and I smelled the recipe for disaster. Visions of my epitaph crossed my mind: “Here lies Larry Pearlman – killed by a fall from the shoulders of a crowd honoring him”.<br /><br />Of course no such fall happened, I was ceremoniously ushered into the compound and seated on a big cushion with young girls fanning me to keep me cool. I was VERY happy to have Cheri close by to talk to as my Gonja still does not lend itself to prolonged conversations! I sat there most of the afternoon as people came by to greet me, eat, and generally enjoy themselves. Late in the afternoon, the drummers came back and the girls from Musah’s school did the Tora dance for me. What a kick! Kind of a cross between the Bump (if you remember that, then you’re well over 40!) and Bumper Cars. Great fun to watch but I’m betting that several of those girls needed ice packs on their hips that night!<br /><br />So now I am known as QuartersWura, which means Chief of the Quarters, referring to the hostel in which I live and the Teacher’s Quarters that are in the same area. Anything that relates to those places comes under my “jurisdiction” so I’m hoping no conflicts come up in the next 2 years!! I also have to wear my hat and carry my walking stick everywhere I go or I can be fined by the Paramount Chief! And EVERYWHERE I go, people greet me with shouts of “Garba” which means Chief. I’m sure the novelty will wear off after a while but it’s fun now.<br /><br />Speaking of that, it IS fun but I also realize that it is a huge honor and I appreciate that. My Peace Corps supervisor, who has been in Africa for 5 years, told me that he has never heard of any Peace Corps Volunteer being enskinned (or enstooled) in such a short time so it is a responsibility and privilege that I take seriously.<br /><br />Well – that’s the big news from my end of the pond for now. I’ll be in touch again soon.<br /><br />Oh - And I am getting my cell phone back tomorrow! So for those who have been trying to or wanting to call me, you can, starting Sunday afternoon, 4/6.<br /><br />Love you All …………QuartersWuralarryphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03582657707875652570noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-779232183348036602.post-59604359299937577652008-03-04T09:56:00.000-08:002008-03-04T11:22:03.109-08:00A Day in the Life...Hi all! Last time I promised to give you a picture of my day-to-day activities and so I shall. But first.....THE BIG NEWS: There is Phone Service in Daboya (Trumpets blaring!)!!! Unfortunately, I lost my phone on a trip to Kumasi; however, someone found it and I'm hoping to have it back in a few weeks (hey - nothing happens FAST here!)so anyone who wants to will be able to reach me at 011 233 27 311 0018...probably by the end of this month.<br /><br />Also - a word to the two friends who replied to my last posting. Ed and Alice: Yes, I got your wonderful package and enjoyed everything in it! I wrote you about it but I'm never sure if my letters will get there in 2 weeks or 2 months so I thought I'd also thank you here. Susie Q - Thanks for filling me in on all that is happening Stateside. I hope your Avalanche make a playoff run! And yes, I would love it if you would send me the new contact info for Serah in Cameroon. Never know when I might get down there. If you don't mind, I'll reply to your questions in this public format since it fits in with the theme of "what do I do all day?". I'll answer your questions first and then add details.<br /><br />I THOUGHT I was acclimatized to the heat here but then along came March 1 and the REAL heat! It's kind of like when people from back East think it is hot in Phoenix in May and then comes June!! I realize now that I am going to HAVE to start sleeping outside. The cement walls and tin roof of my house just soak up the heat and then radiate it inwards all night. Even the ceiling fan doesn't really help much. Fortunately, I was warned when still in Phoenix and I went down to REI (shameless plug!) and bought a "Bug Hut". Hey ... I'm not making this up...that's what they call it! It's a very small tent made of mosquito netting that's designed to let you sleep outside free of bugs. I will try it starting tomorrow night.<br />Yes, the kids (of all ages) play a lot of futbol (that's soccor to you Americans!) in Daboya but no, I do not play with them. Hey - I think I'm in reasonable shape for 60 but I'm not going to try and outrun 12 year olds, much less 20 year olds! I'm not Jack LaLaine you know! My Gonja is coming along bre bre (that's small small)but a goodly number of people here speak English anyway. Since the official language of Ghana is English, all school classes are taught in English. Sure helps me get through the English class I teach!<br /><br />As for my biking, I don't do any. Never bought a bike. I walk all around the village and there really aren't too many places outside of the village that I would bike to. At some point I may get one just so I can get around faster. It takes about 8-10 minutes to walk to "downtown" from my house and about 15 minutes to get to my counterpart's house or the river or the Chief's Palace.<br /><br />As to supplies I could use (outside of goodies), I'm thinking that the vacuum packed camping meals they sell at REI and other outdoor places might be something even I can cook so those would be helpful and easy to ship.<br /><br />So - what's my daily routine like? Well, I'll tell you how it has been but I think that is about to change. I get up around 6:30 and do my morning exercises and bathroom things and then decide what I want for breakfast. As you retired folks can probably attest to, it is amazing how much of your day gets eaten up by just simply living: making, eating, and cleaning up after 3 meals, laundry, fetching water (there's no running water here), cleaning (you HAVE to sweep every day or the dust will swallow you!), cleaning the water filter, and so forth. Then there is reading (which includes a TON of Peace Corps materials as well as spiritual and just plain fun things I like to read), maintaining written correspondence with many of you, journaling, and doing various games and puzzles just for entertainment (along with listening to CD's and the BBC on shortwave). And THEN there is what I am here for...interacting with the people of Daboya!! That includes the English class I teach to 15-18 year olds, shopping in the market, learning about Daboya by hanging out with weavers, dyers, sewers, farmers, fishermen, the market women, my good friend Musah and anyone else I come across in my wanderings, sitting in on the chiefs' meetings on Friday mornings, interacting with my tailor (had to have all my pants taken in from size 38 to 36, make curtains, and have some shorts made), my carpenter (built a wooden toilet, screen door, and support system for my room-divider drape), other teachers, religious leaders, and the postmaster (I now officially pick up all Daboya mail on my trips to Tamale). And that brings me to my travels. I have already been to Tamale many times, Mole National Park a few times, Damango, Bole, Sola, Kumasi, Kumasa, Sonya, Larabanga, Lingbinsi, Techiman, and Magnori. All of these trips are to see other tourism sites, meet with NGO's that will be assisting the project in Daboya, meet with government agencies, research possible resources, and, of course, shop for stuff I can't get in Daboya!<br /><br />So ... why is that going to change now? Well, I think it is finally time to get this project off the ground. I met with the chiefs last week outlining a tentative 3 year tourism plan. Next week we will set up our first community meeting to open this up for feedback and input from the community. So now, part of my days will be working with the people in Daboya on all of the details of creating a first-class tourism experience: everything from basic sanitation to life jackets in the canoes, a visitor center to public toilets, marketing to providing cold drinks. There is a lot of work to do and I'm looking forward to it. Maybe some of you will visit Daboya some day as tourists and I certainly want you to have a great experience!!<br /><br />I think that's enough for now. Smells to me like dinner is ready!<br /><br />Love and Hugs from Daboya...............Larrylarryphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03582657707875652570noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-779232183348036602.post-65352679515400363302008-02-06T00:11:00.000-08:002008-02-06T00:38:31.229-08:00DaboyaIt occurs to me that I’ve never told you all what Daboya is like. It’s a relatively quiet (I’ll get back to that “relatively” part in a minute) village of about 5000 adults and 4 billion children. The village has electricity but no running water. Fortunately, there is a well-developed clean water supply system in place so not a big risk here of the nasty things carried in water available from lakes, rivers, etc. Having been scared silly by the Peace Corps, however, I still boil and filter my water before drinking it. <br /><br /> There is almost no traffic here because the village sits on the west bank of the White Volta River…which has no bridge across it. Therefore, everything coming from the east has to get to Daboya by canoe once you get to the end of the road. It is amazing to me what they put on those canoes, but they haven’t yet figured out how to get a car across (I should start a ferry service!). You can get to Daboya from the west and north by car or truck (preferably 4WD) but only in the dry season and then you better bring an extra pair of shocks! As a result, there are virtually no cars in Daboya. We have bikes, motorbikes (they DO put those on a canoe!), and a few tractors.<br /><br />There is an active market in Daboya so, unlike a lot of my fellow PCV’s (that’s Peace Corps Volunteers for the uninitiated), I don’t have to bike or hike for miles to buy any food. I can get yams, eggs, tomatos, onions, in-season fruit, and store-type items brought in from Tamale like spaghetti, tomato paste, sugar, salt, soap, toilet paper, Coke / Fanta, margarine, powdered or condensed milk, crackers, and several other items at our local market. There is also a wide (well – OK – “wide” is stretching it a bit!) variety of fish, poultry, and meat available but, being the kind of city boy who always thought that chicken just comes in shrink-wrapped, neatly cut pieces, I’m not ready to watch mine being killed and handed to me for butchering!! I’ll likely be pretty close to a vegetarian for the next two years! I also go to Tamale about twice/month and there I get a wider variety of vegetables and groceries.<br /><br />Daboya is 99% Muslim so it has 2 VERY small Christian churches and about 1000 mosques. Now let’s get back to that “relatively quiet” phrase. Since there is almost no traffic and the teens keep their “Friday night colossal record dances” down to a reasonable roar, things are quiet here……..except for the 5 times/day of required Muslim prayer. Each one of those 1000 (OK, I’m exaggerating a tad) mosques has paging horns on top and it would be easy to hear the call to prayers from any one of them all over the village. Get them all going and I’m surprised my brother and sister don’t hear it in Florida! It especially gets my attention at the first prayer time…. 4 am! I must admit that I’m getting used to it. I didn’t even wake up this morning. Maybe the power was off………….<br /><br />I am more (or less?) fortunate than PCV’s (remember that acronym?) in many countries because the official language of Ghana is English but don’t let that fool you. There are something like 70 regional languages in Ghana. In the big cities, most people speak English but not necessarily so in the villages. Still, enough people speak English here that I can get by with my limited Gonja. I’m also fortunate because 90% of the Daboya people speak Gonja unlike many villages where you may have to become familiar with 2-3 languages, or more, to converse with the locals.<br /><br />Weather here is hot and dry (like Phoenix) with “seasons” that are basically hot and really hot (like Phoenix) and it only rains during one time of the year (like Phoenix except that the rainy season here is 6 months instead of 6 weeks). Feb – April is the dry season when it gets nasty hot (and unlike Phoenix, there is no A/C here!). May to Nov is the rainy season when it cools a bit. Dec / Jan is Harmattan season when the strong winds blow cool air and tons of dust (from the Sahara Desert). So far, I have only been here during Harmattan and I love it. The locals think I am crazy because I walk around in shorts and a T-shirt. They are freezing and I get asked every day why I’m not cold. Well – I figure (no thermometers or radio weathermen here) it’s about 70 degrees in the evening and maybe 50 on the coldest very early mornings. It’s considerably colder than that even in Phoenix during the winter!<br /><br />Oh - and that elusive phone service is still not live in Daboya! Hopefully by the end of February!<br /><br />Well – perhaps that’s enough for now. Let me know by reply to this comment if you have specific questions and I’ll answer them next month. Maybe I can also give you an idea of my daily routine at that time.<br /><br />Ebore Ebuganya! (That’s Gonja for “May God see you safely through the night” and DON’T check the spelling!)larryphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03582657707875652570noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-779232183348036602.post-88187048845468124002008-01-25T09:51:00.000-08:002008-02-06T00:10:51.212-08:00WOW - THANKS!!The bible says, "Ask, and you shall receive". That really works! Thanks to those who sent Care Packages: Rob, Carol, Kara, Mark, Gail, Sharon, Kathy, and anyone who may have sent one that I haven't received yet. I am already REALLY enjoying the goodies, books, goodies, batteries, goodies, local newspaper articles, goodies, and, let's see........seems like I'm forgetting something........oh, yeah...THE GOODIES!! Made me very popular here at the Peace Corps sub-office in Tamale since this is where the packages come to and I'm a sharing kind of guy. Although you can be sure I hoarded plenty to take back to Daboya with me!!<br /><br />Also thanks to those of you who have written comments to this site. I probably won't get an opportunity to respond directly but, believe me, I really appreciate reading your comments and knowing that there are those of you out there who enjoy reading this site.<br /><br />CORRECTION: I gave an incorrect address for where to send letters, although if you use that address, they will get to me anyway but it would be better to use the correct address, which is: Larry Pearlman Box 30 Daboya-Tamale, N/R Ghana, West Africa. The address I gave for packages was accurate. I hope you wrote it down! I can't tell you how much fun it was to come to the sub-office and find those packages waiting for me!!<br /><br />So......here's an update on Daboya:<br />Going through Xmas week in a small village where there is not a single sign of Christmas as we know it in the States is an experience. I mean, after 30 years in Phoenix, I’m finally used to no chance of a white Xmas but no lights, trees, tinsel, Santas, carols, or ads for toys? No pumpkin pie, turkey and ham, stringbean casserole, mashed potatos, and Alka Seltzer? No Christmas music in the streets, on elevators (oops – we don’t have elevators), or on the radio (oh wait – don’t have radio either!)? It was very different and, if it weren’t for the calendar, I would not have known it was Christmas. But I did have a wonderful Christmas morning. Mussah, Farouk, and I took a canoe and paddled down to the salt mine, which is actually just a very large beachy-type area where salt comes to the surface due to underground water. It’s a beautiful, secluded area and we walked quite a ways on the beach and then settled in on a comfy sand dune for biscuits and tea. After a bit of relaxation in the sand, we set off to explore a wooded area with wonderfully Dr. Suess-like trees (if I can figure out how to download pics, I’ll show you) and shady glens. I plan to revisit the area a few times during my stay in Daboya. Care to join me??<br /><br />Been here about 6 weeks now and I can’t say I’m doing much on my primary assignment but I always do what I’m told and Peace Corps made it very clear that the first 3 months, and maybe more, are about integrating into the community and not “getting your assignment done”. So I go out almost every day and continue to draw a map of Daboya. This is taking a while because I’m really bad at it, but it’s coming along. While meandering, I meet all kinds of different people who wonder what I’m doing so it gives me an opportunity to let them know and meet folks. So far, it works best with those who speak English since my Gonja runs out quickly after “Hi, how are you? I’m fine. I’m a Peace Corps Volunteer and will live here for 2 years. Where can I buy a cheeseburger?”. To be fair, I have been meeting some of the people and organizations inside and outside the village that I’ll need to coordinate with so things are moving along even if it doesn’t seem like it.<br /><br />Two companies, TIGO and MTN, were racing to see who would be the first to have a cell tower up and running first. Both predicted confidently that theirs would be ready by 12/15. Hmmmm….that would have been over a month ago and no phones yet. I’d hate to see how they do if they weren’t competing! Come to think of it, neither said anything about 2007………. Seriously, TIGO says they should be complete by the end of next week. You should be able to call me at 001 233 311 0018 or just by drop by for milk and Graham Crackers!<br /><br />I miss my fellow PC Volunteers (Hi to any of you guys who actually find time on the internet to check out blog sites!). I have gone to the sub-office in Tamale twice since moving to Daboya and run into a few compadres but it’s rare so I enjoy it when it happens. Got in some great Scrabble games with Mike and two volunteers from other classes (Hey – I’m not done with you yet Kim!) last time in Tamale. <br /><br />Lately I’ve been going out at night, laying on my camping mat, and just enjoying the night sky. With minimal lights here in Daboya, it’s clear and beautiful and my favorite, Orion, is always right above me.<br /><br />I have a “small girl” (that’s what they call any girl from 5 – 20 years old, even if she’s 6’2”!) that will come over and cook for me 2 nights/week and I’m working out my own menu for the rest of the time – which actually is only 3 nights/week because Nashibatu always cooks enough for me and 10 other people to have for at least 2 nights! I’m working with her on portion size. I think she’s trying to fatten me up. Under that black skin beats the heart of a true Jewish mother! So my cooking for those 3 nights + lunches is, so far, spaghetti, fruit salad (right now I can get pineapple, watermelon, oranges, bananas, papaya and I throw in some peanuts, called “ground nuts” here. Pineapple season is over and watermelon is coming to a close but mangos and avacados will be available soon), tuna, Pearlman scrambled eggs (sadly without cheese), powdered soup mixes, canned veggies, beans and rice, fresh veggies (when I go to Tamale) stir fried over rice, and I’m about to try a sweet potato and Spam concoction that another PC Volunteer showed me. I’m already down one waist size and should be a 26” waist by the time I get back to the States!<br /><br />OK – That’s it for now. Keep those cards and letters flowing!!<br /><br />Love from Ghana…..Larrylarryphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03582657707875652570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-779232183348036602.post-54309141281246427222007-11-28T07:16:00.000-08:002007-11-28T08:26:14.725-08:00We Are NOW "Volunteers"!!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.<br /><br />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!<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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!<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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??!!!<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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!!<br /><br />Love and Hugs.............Larrylarryphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03582657707875652570noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-779232183348036602.post-52948217531435947442007-10-10T09:51:00.000-07:002007-10-11T04:42:22.387-07:00I 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.<br /><br />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!<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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!!<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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!!<br /><br />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!<br /><br />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.<br /><br />That's it for now from your roving African reporter!!larryphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03582657707875652570noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-779232183348036602.post-14493733958036831242007-09-01T08:27:00.000-07:002007-09-01T08:51:27.319-07:00Packing and Thinking About the UnknownAs 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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?<br /><br />Actually............what am I doing sitting here writing this???? I've got work to do!!! See you at my next posting..................larryphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03582657707875652570noreply@blogger.com4