Goodbye Ghana

Boy oh boy.  My two weeks in Ghana have been indescribable.  Sorry I won’t be able to portray it successfully for you, but I will try to demonstrate how much this short amount of time has impacted me with as few words as possible.  I swear, I could ramble on about my time in Ghana for pages and pages, but I don’t want to bore you.  I want to get my point across quickly.  And that is that Ghana has changed me.

We saw so much poverty and hardship yet we never found a single grouchy person, ungrateful for what little they had.  Everyone appreciated their lives and they were just happy.  It’s so different here than in the states.  The people are so open and welcoming, while in the states, people are more closed off, less trusting.  The crime rates are incredibly low despite people having less than perhaps what they deserve. 

I want to come back.  I maybe want to live here (I hope that hints at how much I absolutely loved this place).  The bucket showers and bugs don’t bother me at all. I’m able to look past all that and see the true essence of the place I’m in.  And that’s the love that Ghana emulates.  Although the country is strictly Christian and I am not religious, I recognize how the word of Christ has positively impacted the people of Ghana.  They live for a higher power and I respect their devotion and pride and think I would fit in well. 

Below are some pictures from Cape Coast.  These should be on my first Ghana post, but it's just easier to do it this way.
 

The girls school we lectured at about litter

 The road outside of our house

 Some Cocoa for sale at Kakum National Park

 

Canopy Walk at Kakum National Park

Courtyard of our home in Cape Coast feat. rain

GOIL (the outdoor club we went to)

 

A note to Ghana.....

Dear Ghana. 

What more can I say?  I’m going to miss you so much.  South Africa will be so different, a brand new type of adventure, but I will never forget your charm.  I will be back.  Maybe for good.  I’ll have to learn some Twi and adjust to the attention I will receive for being white, but I’ll be able to manage.  Thank you so much for all you have taught me about being grateful and understanding of other people’s situations.  See you soon.

Anna Schiff