My mountain biking adventure.

The past few days have been really busy. Thursday night we went out to an area where there are a lot of prostitues and did HIV testing. I did pretesting counseling. It was quite the experience. I was really nervous at first, but then I got more comfortable was able to relax. People ask so many questions and finding out about their history and lives is really a learning experience. I was so tired after three hours of counseling and we had to turn people away because it got so late. We are going back this Thursday as well.

Friday I went to Aburi with some friends and we went to the botanical Gardens (no flowers, but it's nice). We went mountain biking on Saturday morning. I pretty much hate mountain biking and I always have, but I was in Africa so I did it for the experience. It was neat to bike through villages and see new things, but by the end...I was ready to stop and walk back. I kept falling into corn plants and trees. The paths were barely paths. We got pictures of which way to go on the trail. It was pretty amusing but we made it. I don't plan on mountain biking for a very very long time.

Monday was African Union Day so I got the day off. I went with Anna and Inga (friends from Norway) to a beach resort to a pool on the beach. It was beautiful there and relaxing. I had a great time.

Today Anna and I went by ourselves to do the workshops in the schools. I really like working with the kids and educating them on HIV. It's really great and the kids love us (basically because we are white). But it's such good experience to communicate with them and integrate with the culture by understanding their educational system.

So, that is a quick update on my life. I like it here....I'm still hot, but it is good and I'm definitely learning alot. And now I can get around the city without really getting lost so that is a good thing. I will write more soon when I have more internet time.

Life is going well here in Ghana. I posted a few pictures so you can see a little of what I see. I am realizing that my first week at the house I was lucky because the water ran all week. Not so lucky this week. I've taken two bucket baths now and it's quite interesting. Also, to flush the toilet you have to carry enough buckets of water to fill the back and then flush it. It's very time consuming.

I went to a UN meeting yesterday to discuss the HIV status in Ghana. All the stakeholders were there and I learned alot. 

Tonight I am going with the Salvation Army to talk to Prostitutes on the streets about where they can come and get help with job training and financial assistance. I think that should be an incredible experience.  Tomorrow I will be starting anti-stigmatization workshops in the Accra schools. We will go to 10 schools and then there will be an anti stigma poster competition. The winner will receive a scholarship that will be awarded at a kids fair in August I will help plan. I'm excited of all I am learning. I know my way around better now so that is also good.

The first picture is my room. The next one is the railroad I walk on to work everyday. Next are three beautiful girls that followed me home for a few blocks one day. Then there are amazing grilled sausages and onions. And lastly, a street in Accra. Just a few to give you a glimpse.

Yesterday Anna and I went with Belynda to 10 schools in Accra to invite them to our Anti-stigma Poster Competition. We will go to each school and do a 1 hour workshop on anti-stigma of HIV. We went all around in Taxis and Tro Tro's (the public buses). It was hot and I was so tired after but it was good. I'm excited to go to the schools and work with the kids. 

Last night I had natural cocoa (Ghana is a major producer). It's really bitter but if you put a little bit of sugar in it then it's quite good. It's funny, here I go to bed at like 9:30 or 10. I've never had so much sleep in my life. and I actually woke up a little chilly and not sweating so that was nice as well. This is a busy week, but I like having things to do.

Thursday Anna and I went with Fifi to some communities to recruit peer educators for HIV/AIDS. The goal is to train someone in each community to be a peer educator so they can then help their own people if they need assistance with HIV/AIDS...like where to get tested or treated. So Fifi was basically like...ok go start talking to people. It was pretty intimidating at first. We would just go up and ask people what they knew of HIV. and then talk to them for awhile. It was a good learning experience. 

Yesterday I trained Momma Lu, a nurse, how to use Microsoft Word and Powerpoint. It is a slow process but it was good. I take for granted how I grew up and learned the computer.

Today I went with Fifi to a community and he talked to students about HIV/AIDS. We then did some testing and handed out flyers for WAAF. It is really hot today but it was good. I'm feeling more comfortable here and am learning my way around slowly. I have been here one week now and it went quickly. I am so excited about all I am going to learn. I will put up some pictures soon.

Yesterday was a good day overall. I went to a REAL coffee shop for lunch with a Anna, also a social work intern from Norway. She is really great and will be here for the next month so that's good. It was the first REAL coffee I had since I got here and most people now how much I love coffee.

Last night I tackled bugs. After killing about 50 ants, I decided I should kind of unpack. I got the clutter put away and then swept the floor. I'm not sure when the last time someone swept the corners of that floor, but I know it was not recently. I then sprayed mosquito stuff all around the corners of the room. I was really proud of myself until I woke up this morning to find a huge roach in the middle of the room. I'm not sure where he came from but I am getting bug killer today and spraying my room. I can handle ants but I don't want to sleep with roaches. Henning, my landlord, saw me trying to sweep it out but it wouldn't really go because there is a slight step up out of my room. So he came and picked it up with his hand. He said I would do that eventually but I'm not really sure about that.

Other than that I think all is good. Still hot and humid.

Last night was was good. The girl living next door to me got back from a weeks travel. She is from Holland and knows her way around well. She has been here for a few months already. She showed me how to get to certain grocery stores (actual stores, not stands on the side of the road) and other places. It was very helpful. 

I've basically lost my appetite because it is so hot but I'm trying to eat. The heat just takes it out of you.

Another highlight....I did not get lost on my way to work today. The girl next door (I have no idea how to spell her name) showed me a shortcut I could take to work so it only took me 35 minutes to walk there. 

I plan to attempt to go to the store after work today. That should be an experience for sure but I feel more confident about where I am going now. Thanks for those of you that are praying for me. I appreciate it.

I have been in ghana four days now and I have learned a lot already.

1.) you will sweat all the time.

2.) If you are a white female, the men from Ghana want to marry you.

3.) There may be traffic laws but the real law is "If you can do it, then do it."

4.) Cars do not stop for people.

5.) I do really love Africa.

A few highlights...

*I went to Osu and ate at Frankie's with Fifi (He work at WAAF and is showing me around). It was very good food.

*I got lost on my way to work but a guy that new where WAAF was helped me find it. He was very helpful.

*I had fish yesterday.....still not my favorite but that is ok

*It rained yesterday and was cooler. It was good.

*I'm sure I will have more.

Ghana

Well, I leave for Ghana one week from today. I don't feel quite ready as I still have three papers to write to finish out the semester. I am so excited for this new experience in a different culture.  My love for the people of Africa has grown over the past few years and now I have the opportunity to learn and grow while working in Ghana. Please pray for my travels and first days in Ghana.