I have been here now for a little over four months. It is amazing. I cannot believe it. It seems like yesterday I was in Philly getting all this information about how to enter Ghana and yet at the same time it seems like I have been here for over a year. You get used to the Ghanaian pace. The flow. Things definitely are not as unusual to me as they once were. Yet, some things still amaze me, like the women carrying over 20 pounds on their heads, goats riding on top of the cars that are going 100 miles per hour on roads infested with potholes. I know I have talked about this stuff a lot but I believe my writing does not do justice to the country, so I have to try to write it in as many ways as I could.
I know I have a lot of complaints about Ghana, but the truth is I could not be happier (well, if I were closer to my family--but we all need to grow up some time). The reason you read about the complaints more than the good is that everything is intensified here. The highs are really high and the lows super low. It is like having manic depression (I think that is the right one). When you are completely in love with what you are doing, there is nothing that would top it. But when you are angry with a situation or wondering why you are here, it is crazy how strongly you feel contempt for everything. It sure is an emotional roller coaster.
The reason I am explaining this is we just had our first person ET (early terminate). They are going home. I was shocked to hear that. You get through training (which was difficult), get to site, and decide to leave. I cannot imagine going back to the states. What would I say when people asked why I was back? What would I do? Work? Get a job I hate because the economy is still bad? I know it is selfish of me, but I want to hold off for two years.
I do not want it to sound like I was escaping something by joining the Peace Corps. Well, I guess we all are trying to escape something, so that is a lie. But it was not the only reason I joined. I genuinely felt like I wanted to make a difference. I know America has its own problems. That I should be there, trying to help my fellow natives. I just felt like people in the states did not appreciate a hand up like other people in the world might. Being here, though, sometimes I feel that the people are the same. They are just in a crappier situation. They are trying to hold on to their traditions while trying to catch up to the advances we are 'peer pressuring' them into. It is a crappy situation for them. So I am glad I am here, trying to help. And although I realize I might not see a change while I am here, in time, with more volunteers, there will be some development.
I have been thinking about that a lot lately (with ample time to myself, what else am I supposed to do?!). I have been questioning my motives. Wondering if I could make it work. The answer, of course, is you could do anything for two years. I would be away from my family anyways, so why not do something worthwhile and exciting.
I think I have come to realize that just the bare necessities (the simple bare necessities) are REALLY all you need. A good home, good family and friends (even if it’s just a phone call), good food (of course!), and a great attitude- even when you are in a crappy mood (because that too shall pass).
Back to the highs and lows, I think I appreciate both of them. The highs because it feels so great. The lows because it tests me. It also makes the highs that much better. This rollercoaster is definitely keeping me on my toes and making me appreciate everything I have ever had or experienced both in my life back in the states and here.
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