The Road To Ghana - Day 9!

Good Morning from Cape Coast Africa!  I am so excited to have access to secure wireless!  Once I return to home-base I will have spotty access, so I must take advantage of the opportunity.  Boy, how much I take for granted on a daily basis.  I am usually multi-tasking with a cell phone, computer, kindle, camera, and maybe even an ipod, and the assumption is always that my electronic items will work, immediately. 


Here in Ghana, life revolves around going to market, going to school, finding food for the family, and worship.  Material items are immaterial.  Life is so busy in the States, and I never seem to slow down long enough to smell the roses and enjoy the small things.  In Ghana, I have noticed that life recolves around connecting with family, working together with friends/family to make a living, and taking advantage of every moment.  Because there are no competing interests like TV, internet, and technology, there is something very pure about Ghananian life.  Of course, the western way of thinking is slowly influencing villages and the people.  People gather around TV's at the street market - once they have had a taste of media and what is going on in the world, they crave more.  The good news is that technology is helping to prevent Malaria, diseases like Polio, and stop the spread of Cholera and Typhoid (which is rampant.)  So the balance between technology and living life to its fullest seems to be key.  This experience is making me very aware of just how blessed I am to have so many things that make life easy...hot, running water, air conditioning, food that is hygenic, and reliable electricity.


I bring this up as I sit in front of the beach and watch villagers make the long trek to Church this morning.  Many are dresses in their finest clothes and wave as they pass me by.  Some people are passing with large (very large) bowls balanced on their heads filled with fruit, rice, bags of water (sachets are common here - we are no allowed to drink though), and goods to sell on the side of the streets.  Imagine carrying items on your head all day from sun up to sun down - heavy items - they do it with finesse and never lose a single item from the bowls.  In the ocean, I see many wooden fishing boats that dot that horizon.  They are catching fish, starfish, different crustaceans, and bringing back shells to sell in the market.  It is very interesting to see all of the sea creatures lined up for sale on wooden tables at roadside stands in the village.  I am already wondering what we might see being sold when we leave Cape Coast today. 


I hope you all have a wonderful week!  I will be in touch....xoxo