Goodbye Ghana, My Love

I'm starting my last day here in paradise (and at Paradise) the same way I have for the past two weeks - on the balcony, looking at the sea, feeling the breeze.  I won’t say for the 100^th time how much I will miss it here – well, maybe I will.  I WILL MISS IT HERE!

As you’ve read, I’ve had some highs and lows, felt a range of emotions about a lot of different things and had an amazing experience getting to know Ghana a little better.  I couldn’t have asked for a better “first date” with Ghana and definitely know there will be a second…and a third…and heck, maybe we’ll even jump the broom one day.  

I leave here a stronger, more grateful person and more thankful to God for all my blessings.  I also leave knowing these things (which I wasn’t 100% sure of when I arrived):

• I am from Ghana (after the 500^th person told me I looked Ghanaian, I’ll take it)
• I am brave (my best friend told me so before I came but I think I finally believe it after I read back through my adventures here and remembered that I came here alone)
• I am soooo American with a little bit of African sprinkled in – give me ice cubes and A/C or give me death!

Before I wrap up here though, I wanted to tell ya’ll a little about my trip to Kumasi.  It really is a wonderful city - very laid back compared to Accra, more ladies rocking natural hairstyles and a little bit more modern (the houses look modern, I saw a Bridgestone Tire and a really fancy Hybrid school).  I braved the busy busy market that's similar to the big one here in Accra) and no one said a WORD to me…it was amazing.  They kinda just let you do your thing without harassing you too much.  Much love Kumasi, I will be back.  

Now the road from Kumasi to Accra on the other hand, not so much!  HA!  The ride was so bumpy that I have two black eyes from where my breasts hit me in the face constantly and I’m in bad need of a chiropractor to do some adjustments.  During the entire ride I kept looking out the window, hoping to see that some massage man had his little shingle hung out so I could jump off the bus and get rubbed down.  No such luck.  

Once I arrived back in Accra (after six hours of having all my insides shaken up) and stepped back into the Paradise Inn, I wanted to cry like a baby because of the warm reception, the “we missed you’s” and the good food that made me feel like I was back home again.   

I’m happy and sad to be heading back to the "real world" – happy for what the new year brings, sad to say goodbye (for now) to so many wonderful friends (right now, Nenekwame is sitting next to me listening to my iPod one last time before I go.  Our habit was for him to run around with it for most of the day listening to my music until the battery gave out).  I am spending most of today with Jackie and Tymon until my flight takes off later this evening and know there will be some good food and fellowship in store for me.

As some of you know, I read a devotional every night that really does help me sleep.  Since I will be flying when the rest of you are ringing in the New Year, I read the devotional a little early today and it’s awesome.  Here’s a little piece: 

“God has created you to need and crave diversity and variety.  You require freshness and newness in your life.  As this year and this day come to an end, make a quality decision to step out into the new thing that God has for you.  And don’t forget to enjoy yourself.”

Much love and enjoy the “new thing” God has in store for you in 2011.  I can’t wait to see some of you really soon and thanks for following my journey.

Afehyia Pa (Happy New Year in Twi)!

Donna and I on my last day at La Paradise...I was very sad to leave.