I’m going to catch you up a bit with more details; some of this will be reiterating info that was in the photographs I posted a few days ago.
After saying goodbye to our homestay families, we boarded several buses that took us back to Accra and Valley View University, where we stayed for 3 nights. Swearing-In occurred at the American Ambassador’s residence, which is really beautiful and huge and has a pool (off limits to us). The ceremony itself wasn’t too painfully long or boring, although none of the speakers said anything revelatory. It was nice to be involved in three different performances throughout the afternoon; it kept me on edge enough to sit through the many formalities and uninspired oration. I danced in a big group dance (Ghanaian style), and then in another smaller partner dance, and then I performed a signed version of ‘Heal the World’ with the 5 other deaf-education girls. This sign language performance was broadcast on Ghanaian national television (or so I've been told by my language trainer, who saw me on tv). After the ceremony, we were given drinks and cake and appetizers, and then were herded back onto buses and driven out to Valley View to spend the evening. Later that night, we were told that we would not be leaving the next morning as planned, but would be staying another night so that we could meet the president of Ghana at his castle. The purpose of this visit would be to recreate the 1961 photograph with President Kwame Nkrumah that was taken when the first group of PC volunteers arrived 50 years ago. We were given very few details about the following day’s event, and it seemed like plans could change at any moment. And they did. Several times. The next day, we were driven back into Accra to the PC office with our luggage, and were told to be patient and wait for further instructions. With my free time, I was able to finally withdraw a portion of my ‘settling-in allowance’ directly from the bank, after having tried numerous ATMs to no avail. Before 2pm, we were back on the buses and driven to the president’s castle, situated right on the ocean. It is a beautiful white building; however, I can say little else about it, because I did not see the inside of it. We were escorted directly to the backyard gardens, where tents and fancy chairs had been set up, as well as a red carpet (not for us). Some time later, President John Atta Mills, walked down the steps and across the red carpet, sat down at the head of our grouping. There were many members of the Ghanaian media present, and the event was later broadcast on national television. Several speeches were given, some of which seemed like exact copies of the Swearing-In speeches. Interestingly, President Mills mentioned he was taught by a Peace Corps volunteer in 1961, and he remembers it well. After the formalities, we were provided with a boxed snack and beer or soda. Within an hour, we were back on the bus, and soon after, half of us were on the road toward Kumasi, a 7 hour ride with terrible traffic leaving Accra. We arrived at the Kumasi sub-office around 10:30pm, and all 35 of us found beds or mats to sleep on throughout the sprawling compound. For those who are wondering, a sub-office is just what it sounds like: a hostel/office of sorts, with a library, beds, wi-fi, a kitchen, etc. There are two sub-offices, plus the main office in Accra. Sub-offices are where volunteers go when they are traveling or if they just need a break from their site. The next morning, my birthday (September 2nd), I left early and caught two tros to the massive bike market in Kumasi, where I searched for the needle in the haystack…and found it! I bought a beautiful women’s Trek mountain bike in very good condition. With some maintenance it will get me anywhere I want to go in Ghana. Directly after purchasing the bike, I walked to the nearest bus station and bought a ticket to Tamale. There was a considerable wait until the bus filled, and then some hassle as the guys tried to jam my precious new bike into the luggage compartment beneath the bus. But, no complaints, I arrived in Tamale approximately 6 hours later, where I staggered across the station with my bike and bags, and got a taxi out to my site. Again, there was some struggle to get the bike into the hatchback station wagon, but everything is possible in Ghana...so a few minutes later, 7 adults, 3 children, a bicycle, and about 5 bags were loaded into this taxi. I arrived at my site just before dusk, where I met my headmistress to obtain the key to my new house. It was the best birthday gift I could have wished for: finally, finally unpacking my suitcases and having a place to call ‘home.’
The next morning, I took a tro back to Tamale and bought a bunch of needed supplies for my house, plus electricity credits (to keep the lights on). In Savelugu, I bought some groceries, but since the gas tank was empty and my frig was being repaired, I couldn't cook for myself. My first several meals were groundnut paste (peanut butter) sandwiches, and tomato, onion, and egg salads. Propane arrived this evening (!!), so tomorrow morning I will have my first cup of (instant) hot coffee, followed later by my first omelet…and then, who knows? There are some ancient spices here that were left by a previous volunteer, so I might pull together some culinary masterpieces soon enough.
I started painting my house today as well, and I finished the living room. I had to paint it all by hand with a brush, because I couldn’t find anything like a drop cloth, and the roller I bought splattered paint all over the place. Painting is very therapeutic; there's nothing better than a clean slate.
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