Things are good here so far. We left JFK around midnight Sunday, and all of the flights were good, British Airways flight attendants are really nice. We stayed in a Hostel in Accra the first night, then we drove to Cape Coast Tuesday morning. We're not going to stay with our families until this weekend. Until then we are in a hostel here in Cape Coast during orientation. I did find out that my family is a Dad who is a public servant, and mom who is a teacher, a daughter who will be going out of town for school next week, a younger daughter, and then I am sharing a room with a son of a family friend, and they have three dogs. We're going to a national park today and we get to go on a canopy tour, so that will be really cool. Besides that nothing really is going on, we're just starting to get to know each other, but so far a I really like everyone in my program.
I haven't taken any pictures yet, but I hope to at the National Park today. The only time I wish I had taken one was when I had a perfect few from the plane as we were approaching the Algerian coast from the Mediterranean. It was beautiful, after all the other build up I've had about AFIRCA, to finally see the continent, literally see the curvature and recognize it like I was looking at an over sized map. Also, the landscape as we flew over the Sahara was like flying over a golden ocean that was frozen.
It still doesn't seem real, and I certainly haven't realized how long I'm going to be here. I don't want this to turn into "My Great AFRICAN Adventure". That seems to superficial and stereotypical. And I knew coming into this that I have built up this ideal of what AFRICA is like. Hopefully recognizing it will make it easier to dispel the illusion of grandeur and I can just live, letting it all be what will be.
I am happy here, and I hope I will continue to be. I am anxious to meet my family and really get into a routine here, but I don't think a routine will be very likely, considering how sporadic our travels and even our daily schedules will be. I love you all and I hope you are all well.
Peace,
Will
7 comments:
i'm glad the flight didn't kill you!
your family sounds cool! we all know how much you love dogs...the canopy tour will be sweet. You really need to try and take pictures of that haha. or make sure someone else does.
i miss you but i'm so glad you're already loving it! write again soon!
Just know that I'm watching you. You're on my google reader. Beware that you don't write anything nasty that could leak out.
Only joking. I hope you're well. You seem very excited about things, and I can appreciate that feeling. December seems like a long way away, but I promise it's not. Especially getting started seems to fly by.
I hope you write openly and honestly with everyone reading here. Even if you have some pretty difficult feelings you're going through, don't be afraid to post them. Obviously, sometimes they're private, and I support using your best judgment, but I'd like to hear what you're going through, good and bad.
Keep us posted.
Good night, and good luck (I've always wanted to say that).
Peace, friend.
Will! I am so glad you made it safe and your description of reaching the Africa coastline was perfect! How was Kakum? Beautiful right, though a little frightening with the wobbling haha. Hope you are doing well and learning and meeting people. My thoughts are always with you for you in my home!
heya kiddo.
of all the persons i know, i associate only one with maps and its vous. its just perfect that your trip put you in mind of one.
i hope you get more out of your stay than i can even think to wish for you. stay healthy, try new things, take notes.
i sent a piece of this poem to our dear chileno, but the whole of it i think is fitting here now. read it sometime, okay?
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/show/8622-Pablo-Neruda-We-Are-Many
love from home.
Good luck, Will.
update ...
Im glad to hear all is going well. I am sure you will get in to the swing of things very quickly and will love your time there. Peace, Debbie
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