Okay... I realize I am the worst blogger ever. Since I last wrote I have done a lot of traveling. The pictures in the last blog were from Cape Coast which is the regional capital of the Central Region. It has beautiful beaches and the Kakum National Park where we did a canopy walk in the rain forest. It was a little scary but amazing to be up to high and the skyline was gorgeous. The following weekend we went to Kumasi. Kumasi is the capital of the Ashanti Region. We spent most of our time in craft villages, where we could get wood carvings, kente cloth, or jewelry. Just this last week 5 of us went to north western Ghana. We first took a bus up to Tamale which is the capital of the Northern Region and it is where you begin to see a strong musilm presence. We only stayed in Tamale for the night but I really enjoyed it. Everyone was riding bicycles, something you rarely see in Acca. We had to get to the bus station at 4am to catch a Bus to Mole... however we were unable to get tickets even though we were so early. While waiting to get the bus we missed we met 2 girls from spain, 4 germans and 1 boy from Belgium all going to Mole, so we grouped together and got a tro-tro for a 3.5 hour drive.
By the time we arrived we were beyond exhausted and just swam in the pool (a luxury in Ghana) all day. Mole is a national park where wildlife is protected. Our hotel is the only one in Mole and it over looks a watering hole where you can often see elephants. When we were swimming 3 warthogs came to find some food. The next morning we went on a safari through the park. We saw bush-buck, antelope, warthogs, green monkeys, alligators, and ELEPHANTS! It was so much fun and I could not believe I was so close to wild elephants. After the safari we got a ride into a nearby town Larabanga to find a ride to Wa. Larabanga is a very poor village that is a bit notorious for professional friends (people who try to help you to scam you). After being only offered arranged rides at the price of 200 cedi we decided to sit at the bus station (a wooden bench) and wait for something to pass. It did not take long for all the children to join us. The adults even started placing crying babies with us. Women near by tried to help us get rides when the vehicles passed. So it was like we babysat for their help finding a ride. I think we spent around 3 hours there until we found a tro-tro that would take us halfway to Sole (sp?) for 2 cedi. Although the price was great we all feared for our lives during that 3 hour ride. First our friend Becca was in the front seat which was separated from the back so we could only see her through a small window. Second there was no space. Tro-tros are usually cramped... but this one was ridiculous. I had to side in a little ball the whole time. The engine was right by my feet and blew out spoke and intense heat whenever we eccelrated. It is a miracle the door did not fall off, or that the tro-tro did not roll over from all of the bumps we hit. Oh and not to mention there was a dead chicken under our friend Emily's seat. It was a huge relief to make it to Sole. In Sole we got peanuts and oranges and easily got a ride in a nice tro-tro to Wa! Our plan was to go from there to Weuchia where we would go to a hippo sanctuary. Long story short... it did not work out. We got into Wa really late the last night so we had to stay there, rather than go to Weuchia. And in the morning we could not get a ride into the sanctuary. Although it was disapointing we got to spend time in the Village of Weuchia and in Wa. I really liked the people in the north, everyone was really kind and helpful. On Sunday night we took a bus from Wa to Accra and arrived back this morning! Overall it was a really great weekend and exciting to do so well and feel so safe as 5 women traveling.
Other news is that I finally have a volunteering position at the Osu Childrens Home. It is government owned but relies HEAVILY on outside donations. The children are mostly orphans but a few are there due to court disputes within their family. The children range from age 0-22. I have been placed with the boys home which is age 6-22. I was a little nervous at first but I already have 4 boys that I wish I could take home with me. It is hard being there, knowing when I get to leave they are still there without a home.
I am still so happy to be hear and would not trade my time here for anything... although I do miss mint mochas ;) I have pictures from the trip I want to post but my connection is not strong enough so I will try again soon enough!
