How can you kill a tiger?

So I've got 26 mins on the computer and a lot to type about!  This will be my last blog entry until almost Christmas!  Tomorrow I head back to stay with my village family for the next 4 weeks.  I am very excited to return, though it has been fun here in Nkawkaw.

A few days, the group and I and the Fathers went to Boti Falls... I wish I could upload some pictures becuase they were beautiful! Two huge falls over the side of a cliff.  We had lunch there and walked in behind the falls.

Last night, we attended the welcome ceremony for the new nursing students.  It was quite possibly one of the strangest, yet most entertaining nights of my life.  I can't even begin to describe the dances, performances and dramas, but there was lots of hollering and chanting and meowing.

So I remembered to bring my journal this time and so I can write down things that came up duirng my last village stay.

The first has to do with gender roles.  My village family has a clear divide between who cooks and cleans (the women) and who farms.  I've been trying to help out with the cooking and cleaning but have thus far not been allowed.  Also, I only eat with the males in the family.  Only once have I've eaten with my village mom because I really pushed fo rus to eat as "family".  I'm finding it difficult not being able to lend a hand with things (because I like to cook and don't mind cleaning), and will try to get more done during my next stay.

The thing I miss most about being in the village is the conversations.  As an big extravert, I crave a lot of talking and interactions with others.  It's very tough with the language and cultural barriers to "get my fix" of deep convos. 

Something that struck me the other when talking to my village father, was that he only gets paid 3.20 Ghana Cedis a kilo for the cocoa he farms.  Now I've famred cocoa and its not easy work.  This is especially shocking to me becuase, prior to leaving, I went to by M+M's at the bulk barn, and I'm pretty sure in was over 8$/pound.  Think fair trace the next you buy chocolate.....

Finally, I live with a lot of goats.  It's pretty rad.  My village family laughs at me becuase I have given them all names, along with some backstories.  There's Billy, Mama, Obie, Eeyore, Obeebeeknee, and a few otehrs.  They wake me up in the morning with all there bahing.  Also, who knew that roosters like to crow all night long!!

Anyway, I've only got a few more minutes left here and I don't wanna use it all tlaking about goats.  The other day we were asked to describe Canada to a class of Nursing Students.  It filled me with great pride to talk about it.  I really miss home and I really love our country.  The students also asked us what the difference between us and the US was... we weren't sure how to answer!  So I said we were nicer. 

Well that's just about it for now... I added a couple photos to facebook, but can't add any here.  Instead, I'll leave you with a funny thing the Father said:

"With the emotion and passion, how can you kill a tiger?"  In reference to the sexual taboo of 'no sex in the bush'

Ahhh these fathers talk about sex more often than a lot of other people I know.  It's quite funny!

That's all for now, I hope this reaches everyone in high spirits and good health!!!

Peace and Love and I'll talk with you soon!

Cheers
Matty

PS 4 mins left so I gotta save without proofreading!

Obruni Canadianis

Obruni Canadianis -  A rare species from the western hemisphere that stands out like a sore thumb in Ghana. 
 "Watch as the obruni canadianis watches a goat cross the road and almost get hit by a car... see how they react in terror" (That needs to be read with an english accent, as if by David Attenborugh).

Obruni means "white man" and e hear it shouted everywhere... so we shout back Obibini... which means black man...  And people laugh.  Something you don't see in Canada!

So where to begin??? So much has happend over the past little while that I think I'll just start rambling.

I'm now living in the village away from my group mates (or sisters as we tell everyone because "friends" can mean something more).  I'm having a great time with my family.  I live in a little twon of 2000 called Tweapease (Tway-Ah-Pay-Ass-see).  My family is very welcoming... there's Mr Nartey, Mrs Nartey and Pricilla (13) and Prince (22 - but he has gone back to school... me and him are bff's).  Also there is Denzel (3)... he's still afraid of me but I got a smile out of him the other day.... this is understandable because I am the first white person he has ever seen.

I'm learning quite a bit being here.  My village "parents" are both teachers, so that leaves me a lot of time on my own during the day (I read alot, and the down time is definetly welcomed).  I also get to go and help out on the farm... so I've helped with getting cocoa buds off trees, harvesting plantains, peppers and contomore (like spinach, but way bigger).   I also farmed cassava, which was suprisingly easy to uproot.

The food is amazing!!! And all of us are now debating whose Banku/Fufu is best.  I swear my village mom makes the best banku.

We're still in the rainy season which means storms everyday!  It's very welcomed, as it cools down the day... it's consistently 30+ degrees...  (although, when a couple of my "sisters" were sick, the families swear it's because the cold!)... Anyway, the point of this is there are wicked lighting storms far off at night, and it reminds me of Arizona when we're were 15 at tracy's house sitting out back with you Dad.

My village is of of the 3 that has power.  I live in a pretty nice place (I'll try to upload some photos) and I have a guest house all to myself.  At first, I felt this may not be along the program goals and my personal goals, but the more I really look into, the more I see that this is poverty.  I won't get in to the details now.

I've made a lot of observations that I wanted to write about but alas, I wrote them in my journal and have forgotten it back at the house.  So I need to return to the internet before I head back to the village later on this week and will write more then.

The important thing to know is I'm very happy, having a great time and learning alot. I'm so very lucky to have this wonderful opportunity.

I tried to upload pics and it didn't work!  So check facebook, I'll get them up there.

Cheers Everyone! I hope Canada is well and not too cold yet. I'll check back in a few days!

Matty