Where'sBlogski?

Hello Friends,
It's been a while eh? I've been caught up in some things which have seemed to deter my blog posting abilities - both internet connectivity frustrations (hmm more like realities of the developing world) and just the laid back way of life around here. Ah just my speed, sllllooow. Side note, but completely relevant, when they want you to not show up late for something here they say, "Please try to be a little bit on time, you know not too much." Time is important but the way in which you use it seems to be at one's own pace.

Another difference I have noticed is cell phone usage. Hey your cell phone rings during your lecture, yup pick it up, you are leading a tour through a wildlife reservation and your friend calls, yes you are picking it up, traditional drumming performance? no problem- that phone wants to be answered. I have almost never seen a call ignored. What I try to imagine is what those few people who get ignored are thinking, now that seems like rejection in Ghana.

Saturday was pretty eventful. We headed off in the morning to Torgorme village where we were shown around a different side of Ghana. As we arrived about 20 of the village children were all clustered together as curious about us as we were about them but still too shy to really come close at first. (It was almost the exact same situation you can image from middle school where the boys and girls were on separate sides of the gym floor. Silly and harmless.)

The day included a welcoming drumming and dance, getting introduced to the elders and the chief, a naming ceremony(mine is Yaa Lor Lor, meaning love always), another dance party, and then either learning about bead making, weaving, or fishing. While waiting to go out in the fishing boats we had time to sit and interact with the children and people of the village. The main language of the region is Ewe and the children primarily speak that but most of the villagers spoke English as well. As we spent time in the village no matter where you were a child wanted to hold your hand. They weren't asking for anything, they just wanted to stand or sit with you and hold your hand. It was an enjoyable morning and good to get out of the city.

Hmm little did most of us know what we were in for after we left Torgorme... Dressed in flip flops and jeans we had a two and a half hour hike in front of us. Luckily I think that most people who choose to come to Ghana have the "sure why not?" kind of attitude. So we set out for the Shai hills through an expanse of grassy savannah and woodlands to see some caves which use to serve as the cheif's palace until the Shai people were ejected by the British. These caves were filled with bats and the smell was reminiscent of hampster cage. In this wildlife sanctuary we ventured through we were able to spot a herd of antelope, lots of birds, and some olive baboons. The wildlife is pretty sparse in the southern region of the country and many of us hope to visit a more expansive park called Mole National Park in the north.

Well Sunday was exciting because my roommate and I went to the dressmaker. I picked out some awesome fabrics and am getting 2 dresses made so far. We then took a little walk through the market in our town. Working through the second week of classes now and some prove to have pretty controversial topics to discuss. I guess not too much dozing off...

all for now....

My love,
Ellie

posted some new pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/wheresbowski