Northern Ghana

What a week! On Monday we headed out with our AFS group to Cape Coast. In Cape Coast we went to 2 different castles which were used as slave prisons, before the captives were sent away. The castles were very sad to be in; one room with actual ropes and shackles made my stomach hurt so badly. It was interesting to see, in depth, the slave story on the other side of the ocean. Our history classes always focus on what happened in the U.S., but of course the tragic story really begins in Africa. After touring one of the castles, we went down to the beautiful beach. A vendor kept asking for my number, but I told him I didn't have a phone. On Tuesday we went on an amazing canopy walk, and then went and had "chips" (fries) at a restaurant with a crocodile pond. On Thursday we went to several different markets. Have you every gone bead shopping in a couryard in the dark? It's quite an experience. This is our last wfeekend with our host families, and it's definitely and emotional one. Last night we did one last shopping outing with friends, and made one last batch of pancakes (Ghanaian pancakes are similar to American crepes). Right now I'm packin (keep your fingers crossed that everything fits). This afternoon we have a farewell reception, tonight we sleep in a hostel, Monday we have an 11 hour flight to NYC, and Tuesday I'm flying back to Detroit! All in all, a pretty crazy couple of days (and most likely, not much sleep is involved).

So I guess now is the time to say thanks to all the people who helped me both in Michigan and in Accra, and farewell to Ghana. At least until next time.

"This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning"

"And Pooh gave Christopher Robin the biggest Pooh hug he could because he knew that goodbyes wer not Far Away"

"And you'll be with me, like a handprint on my heart... who can say if I've been changed for the better...I do believe I have been changed for the better...and because I knew you, I have been changed for good"