March 8, 2010
Tomorrow morning we leave Tamale. This evening we had a thank you dinner for all the people who have helped us while we have been in Ghana. Philomena had driven up to Bolga a few days ago to celebrate in her home village when we officially gave them the grain mill and the goats, donkeys and carts that we had purchased, so she came the 3 hours from Bolga as opposed to the 13hrs from enchi. It was nice to see her again and officially say thank you, and goodbye. There are so many formalities in this country, and its very important if you are going to be doing any type of work here to make sure and follow the traditions and customs as best as you can, you don’t want to offend anyone, and the thank you party was a lovely way to recognize all of the people who have been “key” to our learning and assistance in Ghana.

We had a wonderful time at the dinner, but I couldn’t help but feel sad. I am so very happy to be going home, but I don’t want that to mean leaving. It’s a bit of a paradox really. I can’t have both, I know that, but I am already looking at ways I can come back. There are so many things that I am going to miss here. While we were walking home I thought about home much I am going to miss the busy streets. The streets are always teaming with people, even at night. All the little shops are outside and facing the street, and even though it is very dark there are always people out. There aren’t many TVs and people stay out visiting much longer than in Canada. There is just such a sense of community. People are always together and they are always sharing, their personal space is even much smaller. On the buses we are always just packed right in, so close to one another, and they don’t even think twice about it. Friends hold hands when they walk down the street. It’s a beautiful thing seeing two men holding hands in friendship. It is also not unusual to see men dancing together, in groups with no women at all. Just tonight at the thank you party, the men were dancing to the music around the pool, while the women swam.

March 9, 2010

Sometimes I Just like to observe the people interacting with each other. They are always so animated. I remember when we first arrived in the country we would sometimes be distracted by conversations that, of course, we couldn’t understand but, based on the tones, decided that the people were arguing with each other. I understand, now, the tones of conversations are so much different than tones in Canada. The people aren’t actually mad they are just expressive. They do it when they are happy too. It was quite overwhelming at first the combination of the way they speak paired with the their reduced personal space, and their genuine interest in you. I would literally have women, men and children coming right up to my face-directly in my face with boisterous voices asking “ Saminga, which land you come from?” and “ Saminga, where are you going”? Saminga is one of the words that means white woman. I was also called Abruinie a lot which means the same thing, Again, originally I was offended by these names, but after many conversations with the locals, I begun to realize, they mean no offense and that none should be taken. I often had to think “what do they think about us?” They must think we are stuffy and serious. It’s a funny thought, because in comparison, I think we are, but I can’t actually imagine any of the Ghanians that I have met, ever thinking anything remotely close to that though. We are so much more reserved than they are. They are always so quick to share their thoughts and curiosities with you, to approach you and become engaged in deep conversation. I am going to miss being surrounded by people, my life in Canada is so much more solitary. There are so many more things I am going to miss but I’ll have to get to that tomorrow. We are catching a bus to Takoradi tonight at 3am. We are going to stay on the coast for 4 days before we fly home. I can’t wait to see my people….