tirsdag 30. august 2011

Sit together and rejoice

Another day at school. It is hard to focus when there is so many people walking by (I never stop getting impressed with the women carrying things on their head), and guys climbing the trees for coconuts. Today some younger boys cut down palm leaves to make walls for a garden. We watched the beginning of the process and the result, and I just can't believe how they made walls just from weaving leaves. That is art.



We left early from scool to go to a regatta in town, that was arranged as part of the festival. There were tons of people, and food and music and dancing. We sat down in the park to get some peace, but ended up having a group of kids around us trying to learn us Fante (the local language). Somehow we made them laugh. Probably from repeating the swear words that they said. I also got asked what my Fante name was, and as I didn't have one, a little girl made one for me based on my norwegian names. They call me Ama. wo fre me Ama.



Back at Nana Bema hotel I wanted to find someone to cut my hair. It seems like it's impossible to find someone willing to cut my european hair, so Marie and I went and got some fabric instead. We took it to some taylors that are going to make pants for me and a dress for Marie. So exciting!



Finally got my mosquito net up! I'm going to sleep like a princess tonight.

mandag 29. august 2011

If you're happy and you know it, say Amen

Hallgjerd! Herregud, du må ha det helt fantastisk! Hadde vært hyggelig om vi kunne skypet en dag! Savner deg! <3

søndag 28. august 2011

First impressions. So-fa so good!

Today I woke up in Africa! Although we went to bed late because we (Lene, my roomie, and I) were so excited we got up around 8. We woke up to the sound of african drums and gospel music and some chickens.

We're staying in an hotel on a heigth, which has an amazing view! We can see the ocean and the chaotic life below us. The rooms are ok, but primitive compared to what we're used to. I don't mind. It would feel wrong to live like kings in a world where no one else can afford it.

We spent a night in Istanbul, but we didn't get to see the city. It was cool to sit on the 15th floor of our hotel and look out on the lights and listen the imams call in for prayer, though. We could also see alot of Africa when we flew over it the next day. There was just miles and miles of sand dunes, and we didn't see a green spot for hours. Very special. I didn't realize how huge those areas are until then..

When we arrived in Ghana we were greeted by our coordinator and some swedish girls, and drove 3 hours to Cape Coast. Accra, the capitol, was busy, and there were people on the streets selling things everywhere. So different that I can't even describe it!

This morning a group of us went out to find some breakfast. We didn't find any cafes (possibly because it's sunday), but we bought some food from sellers on the street. New favourite snack: plantain chips.

There were animals out in the streets and alot of people. We got alot of attention, but mostly people were just curious. All the kids waved and said hello. Some wanted to touch us and know our names.

After breakfast we went down to a beach, where a bunch of kids were playing. The water was pretty cold, so it will be nice to cool off there! The kids were so excited and we took pictures of them and showed it to them afterwards. They loved it. There was also a huge pig walking around eating trash. Yup, that's Africa!

We had some info meeting in the afternoon, and went to a different part of the city where there was a big market, with second hand clothes and alot of nice fabric. I'll definitely have a dress made while I'm here, in african patterns and style!

I threw in a picture of the most amazing woman I saw today. She had stacked peanuts, perfectly, on a tray and walked around with them on her head without losing one single nut. I was astonished!







onsdag 24. august 2011

Blog

My sister named this blog: migratory bird.

I'm in Oslo, with my sister, my first step on my journey to Ghana!

This is what this blog is going to look like: short and to the point (unless I have the time to be long and boring).

I blog in english so that Max can understand.

I won't promise regular updates, but I'll try my best!

Enjoy :)