Right now, I am located in Anyinisan. It is near Kukuratumi (sp?). We have to work seven days a week. Just a little on Sundays, but it is exhausting. We start language training Monday for six hours. I am going to be learning Gonja. The site I was given is near Tamale. It is called Kuswagu (sp?). There are only three of us learning Gonja, which is great! Smaller class!
Homestay- The family I am living with for the next few months is really great. I have a brother that does EVERYTHING for me. I mean everything. Another brother I never see. He is considered the lazy one. And then my mom. She is fun. Does not know English, so she is very encouraging when I try practicing Twi. The brother that does everything for me, his name is Kofi; it means Friday. He was born on a Friday. Everyone says that he is hot, and that they are jealous! I have to agree, great bod, but meh, not my type. Anyway, so I spend a lot of time in my room. I eat there, I sit there, I sleep there, sit around, study, pretty boring. It sometimes feels like a jail sentence. You wait for Kofi to bring you food, eat, and he takes it away. I try to help, but no. He fetches my water for my bucket bath. Puts the bucket in the room so I do not even have to carry it.
I kind of felt like a pet earlier today. I was in the TV room studying, and there were some of his friends in there. Some other people came up and started talking, I tried to chime in my two phrases I know, and they acted like I offended them. It is always either that, or we get laughed at.
You have to have a sense of humor, I guess. You have to be able to be with just yourself and entertain yourself. I am slowly learning that. I find myself thinking out loud a lot more, just to fill the void. If I start answering back, I know I am in trouble. I am going to find an adapter so I could start playing on the computer and kindle and ipod. I think that will help.
There was a funeral in town today. Everyone was in the nice black outfits, some in red. Those are the colors of mourning. A bunch of them came by to watch the football (soccer) match today. They got a little crazy with the star (beer). One lady ended up in her bra and skirt (which I thought midrift was the ONE place you are NOT supposed to show). They were all dancing and singing (more like shouting). It was very entertaining. When Ghana scored, the streets were crazy with people. It is great to be here this year. The world cup, the 50th year anniversary.
Culture- it is great to see that even though they are all struggling in one way or another, they still have high spirits. They are always smiling, always willing to help for nothing. One man took us all around town in Kukuratumi just to get us to a taxi stand for free. If we took a taxi, it would have been one ghana cedi (about 70 cents). Which does not seem like a lot, but when you only get like 8 ghana cedis a week, it adds up. It is annoying to hear them ask you for money, like they assume you are american and expost facto have loads of money. I guess according to their standards, we do, but I don't. PCVs don't. We live like part of the community. That is something that is different in the communities you serve in. They understand. At least, that is what I gathered.
The paths (and I mean dirt paths that were made by people wearing down the terrain) are filthy. There is trash everywhere. When someone finishes a water sachet (water pouch- yes, I drink my water from a plastic bag) they just throw it on the ground. These are everywhere. Along with whatever they do not want to carry anymore. It is crazy dirty. Something I will change in my community- get trash bins that they can light on fire (not great for the environment, but cleaner for now and something they understand).
There are also goats and chickens everywhere. Everyone knows who's chickens and goats are. It is crazy. They are treated better than the dogs. They are all abused, except a select few. It is disheartening. But, I guess, that is survival here. Something I will have to get used to.
Nights are better. I have gotten better about sleeping. Its easier. I use the bathroom a lot. Trying to stay hydrated, but it is difficult. The food is great. Well, I have to get going.
Love you!