Early this morning we left the orphanage for the rest of our traveling. We decided to have a very low key goodbye, since we were there for such a short time, and loss is such a huge issue for these kids. But they remembered! Abigail, (14) whose chore is to help at the volunteer house and who did our laundry and held our hand through our adjustment to Dodowa made a special visit to say good bye and beg us to stay! She is such a capable and sweet girl--its hard to imagine her, her lifestyle and responsibilities, and her attitude, in comparison to other western girls of her age.
It was also hard to say goodbye to our volunteer mates. They are such a diverse group, and were so inclusive of their "ma" Denise, and little sister julie. Last night on our 36th hour of no electricity (usually the power comes on once a day) we sat on the porch and made up a rap song about the children at the orphanage. They are really great and helpful people, and have re-inspired us about the value of a gap year (several are in their gap year before university--they are about Spencer's age). Anyway, they have kept us laughing through the heat, dust, baby crises, school skippers, lost items at the orphanage, the damn roosters that howl incessently starting at 3am, and the helpless feelings that sometimes arise about these children, and honestly the country in general.
Our cab picked us up at 6am and the adventure to Cape Coast began! Ill spare all the details of the six hour -tro-tro (x2) bus ride to the coast, but it was overwhelming when we arrived and the bus was swarmed with men who wanted either: 1. Julie's hand in marriage (we were the only orbronis on the bus--in fact, outside of Accra, we are the only white people anywhere); or 2. to take us by taxi to our hotel. We were prepared for this fact and knew that marriage proposals are frequent and truly excessive down here on the coast. All are looking for either work, or a better future--and what would be better than to be married and start a new life in America! Anyway, Julie handled it great and we made it to our hotel, which is a series of huts (enclosed, and with mosquito nets) literally on the coast. It is a beautiful, tropical place and we were relieved and exhausted to have made it here.
We ate lunch (1 hour to wait for food--Ghana time!), did some knocking around town, and will head back to the hotel before dark. Tomorrow we go to Kokum which is a tropical forest with a beautiful series of canopy walks high in the trees. We are excited! Then a we go to the Cape Castle, the largest slave holding castle in the country, which should be fascinating.
Its been a tiring day, and one of true adventure. There were moments on our ride down that I wasn't sure we would get here. Julie has grown as an adventurer three fold today. She is already learning how to handle the crowds, which is a balance of friendliness and firmness. Its a lot to learn at 15--go Julie.
Thank you for reading our blog. Its nice to recap for ourselves and know some of our American friends are thinking about us also. FYI our phone only receives incoming texts, and Denise is locked our of her email. Julie has finally reached Facebook here in Cape Coast and I can see her grinning from here.
More after Kokum. We are settled in the Hotel Oasis at Cape Coast. Contact with Edward Adeli is still good in an emergency. Denise and Julie
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