Day 2 in the United States

I arrived yesterday in the United States after a long journey from Accra, Ghana at 10PM on Wednesday evening. I arrived yesterday around 11Am (3PM Ghana time). While on the plane, I began to ponder about the idea of "home." Chief and I often mentioned this concept, and others inquire about it as well. It certainly makes for a stimulating conversation, but it really is something to think about.

When I think of home, I think of my mother, our house. Sitting in our living room by the fireplace at Christmas time. A good, home-cooked meal, family, friends, etc. My idea of home is much like that of many other Americans. However, now that I am back "home" from Ghana, I can't help but think about the individuals I met there. Their welcoming spirit, their helpfulness, how kind they were.

On Tuesday, I traveled to Cape Coast to see the slave castle. Walking through the male and female dungeons was very difficult for me. It was hard to breathe in the dungeons, and to imagine hundreds of captives in there, sitting in their own waste for months, with little air only made me close my eyes. I placed my wrist in one of the shackles and did the same- closed my eyes. Then, when I walked through the Door of No Return and got chills. On the other side of the door was the beautiful water. The Coast is just an amazing sight, and to think of what went on there, is enough to make your stomach turn. Then I turned around, and walked back through the door, and felt very humble to my ancestors, who walked though doors such as the one I came through, and could never return to their home.

So this feeling I got, was enough to make me wonder about what home really is. Home to my ancestors is a home that I may know nothing about. Their language, their practices, their daily lives. I think about all the opportunities I have in my own country. That I have the privilege to come to the Motherland, to behave freely as I wish. I also think of the many consequences of the ugly part of American history called slavery, that I myself, still experience. But I have no idea the experiences of my ancestors, my grandparents, even my own parents who grew up in the 1960's. All I know is that the continent I was on for the past six weeks is a new place I can call home. There is a feeling I have, unexplainable to many (even the kind Ghanaians I met), that encompassed my entire view of myself. A feeling of being home.

So when I passed through immigration in Atlanta airport and I showed the African American man at the desk my passport, he let me through with a comment, "Welcome home Miss Lacey."

I smiled and thought,"Home. You have no idea."

So now that I have embraced my "dual identity" as African and American at it's fullest, I have altered how I see myself and my family. But at the end of the day, I am truly grateful for the experiences I had in Ghana, and I thank Sister Cities for allowing me to represent them in such a wonderful country. Most importantly, I thank God for opening my eyes to another side of this world.

Untitled Poem

Tangled pink and orange
sings to me songs of Jesus
and bright colors of this place
this place far away.

Crouching trees
and red sandy grounds
and the dancing sun
coat this area I walk in.

Warm, clear black-blue nights
bind themselves against this universe,
swimming their way to me.
They only want to be near-
These stars,
these stars,
our Mother's tears.

Day 37 in Ghana

I am so amazed at how quickly the time has gone by since I've been here. The last time I blogged, I uploaded the letter that I wrote the Zo-Simli girls since yesterday was my last day teaching there. I presented five outstanding students with a piece of jewelry (either a necklace or a bracelet). These are five girls who participated during class, who asked questions, raised their hands to be group leaders, had great work ethics, and were very friendly and welcoming to me. I wish I could have given them all a gift, but this was my way of saying "thank you." I typed up the letter I wrote them and hung it in the office of the headmistress so that they could always go read it. We also took more pictures! Several students stood up to tell me how appreciative they were for having me there and how much they learned. The English Master also expressed his appreciation for me and they all sung me a good-bye song...it was a wonderful closing to my teaching experience at Zo-Simli JHS.
Today is Saturday, and early Monday morning, I am taking a domestic flight back to Accra. I plan to stay in Accra for two nights- Monday night and Tuesday night. On Tuesday, I plan to spend the day in Cape Coast to see some of the slave castles and other tourist sights. Wednesday evening at 9:55PM (5:55PM Eastern, USA time) I will be headed back to the States. This means, Sunday night will be my last time in Ghana that I may have internet to blog, so the conclusion of my blogging will happen when I'm back in Louisville,KY. I arrive in Louisville at 9:45AM Thursday morning.
I have truly learned so much about being here and about such a beautiful, welcoming culture. I plan to write some more so long as there is internet here in the palace. Now that I am reaching the closing of my experience, I am truly beginning to see what a blessing this has all been.

Day 34 in Ghana

Dear Zo-Simli Girls,

I have enjoyed my time here at your school teaching all of you. You have made my experience in Tamale a special gift that I will never forget. Your hard work and participation has been great. But most of all, I have appreciated your kind spirits and warm hearts. The kindness you have shown me for the past five weeks has made me feel very happy!

Please continue to be the best women you can be. You are the next generation who will lead this great country. Remember that no one can take away your knowledge, so continue to do very good work in school because one day you will be rewarded for it.

Each and every one of you is beautiful. Continue to let your lights shine around you.

Yours Gratefully,

Anam-Zoya (Adrianna Lacey)

Day 31 in Ghana

Yet again, it is hard to believe that I only have eight more days in Tamale, and eleven more in Ghana. Next Monday, I plan to fly back to Accra and stay there until traveling to Cape Coast (by bus) to see some historical places such as the slave castles, and then travel back to Accra (by bus) and prepare to go home.
Yesterday I got to enjoy a festival that took place right here in the compound of the palace. The festival was a showcase of cultural dancing which was absolutely beautiful! It was an interesting, entertaining display with drumming, elaborate costumes, and of course dancing. The Ghanaians who sat next to me in the audience were able to narrate some of the different stories that are associated with particular dances. So at the conclusion of the festival, there is an opportunity for the drummer to call members from the audience up to dance. Of course, yours truly was called to dance. I caught on fast to the movements and was able to please the audience fairly quickly! Most importantly, I had fun doing it!
So today has been more of a relaxed day that has included me doing some reading and office work. A storm came earlier this afternoon for about an hour and has left the sky a softened gray. I noticed that since I have been here, I pay close attention to the color of the sky, what it looks like, the moon, the sunsets- and it is all very beautiful. At night, the stars are so visible, it looks as if one of them might drop down on your head. As the sun sets (which is usually around 6:30PM as opposed to the US in July setting around 8:30PM), the sun turns a red-orange color making its rays practically invisible. Sure, many of these images can be viewed in the States, yet when I'm here, I feel more inclined to take note of them. On the nights that I begin to miss home, I look in the sky and see the moon. I simply remind myself that in about four hours, my mom will be able to see that same moon just as clear as I can.
Distance really is a fascinating idea. Being over 5,000 miles away from the US is what really is. However, I am constantly reminded by all of these beautiful brown-faced individuals that I cannot just use these big bright stars to "walk home."

Day 27 in Ghana

Time truly does get away. It's hard to believe I have been in Ghana for four weeks tomorrow, with only two weeks left. My days seem to get filled quickly. I have been doing more clerical work in the Sister Cities office here in the compound, and of course still teaching. The students are now writing persuasive speeches. So I gave them the "American" components of structuring strong arguments to convince their audience. My last day teaching at the school will be July 7th.
I really enjoyed my events of this past Sunday. I traveled with Chief's son, Solomon, along with two other individuals around my age to Paga, where we sat, posed with, and fed a tamed crocodile. It was interesting. I also had my first experience riding a donkey for a short time- the struggle there was keeping the donkey calm. LOL
I believe while I am here my most fulfilling project will be the library for the Zo-Simli girls. The project itself is moving along at an American pace....(Quick and overall thorough.) Many of my friends back in the US have asked what are some of the things I miss about the US being in Ghana. I believe this is a typical, fair question. So here's a list of some of the things I miss. (Other than family and friends.)
1. Traffic without the constant fear of being hit in a car or hitting someone. (The lanes are not quite established, motorbikes, cars and pedestrians come together on the road.)
2. Hot, steamy showers.
3. Having access to anything at any time.
4. Consistent flow of internet access.
5. Ice in my drinks.
6. Air conditioning in every facility I enter.
7. Not wondering whether or not one of the mosquitoes that has bitten me is actually dangerous.
8. McDonald's Breakfast.
9. Escalators.
10. Sidewalks.

So clearly some of the things on my list are important to many Americans, and some of the things on my list are solely built on the amount of comfort in the United States. Being here has been such a wake-up call of how blessed I am, how fortunate. But America is my lens, which means what I cannot find in Ghana, does not mean individuals here are missing something. Happiness is something that is easy to find here. But I can't help but wonder about the Americans whom I know do not find my experience in Ghana to be one they would like. Simply because their material items are so important to them, or because they would not want to do without. This experience however, gives me a chance to challenge myself and think about what God has given me, why He has given it to me, and what is really important. So I won't simply write these things and pretend as if I won't return to my "American comfort" and enjoy it. I am writing this to acknowledge the fact that being in Ghana is allowing me to find peace within myself. I'm able to explore peace, identity, friendship, and happiness. Frankly, I feel for those who choose to limit themselves based on the fact that they don't want to lose what they THINK they would be giving up by going to any developing African country.
Herman Melville said, "Of all the preposterous assumptions of humanity, nothing exceeds the criticisms made of the habits of the poor by the well-housed, well-warmed and well-fed."

Day 23 in Ghana

Yesterday I got to experience some of the raw experiences of African culture... and I loved it! Myself along with Professor Wyatt (Prof) traveled to an area called Fooshegu in which we took part in the funeral of a Chief. There was loud gun firing, drumming, dancing and drinking. We walked about the area in somewhat of a staggered line as other individuals and children in the area joined in the line. It was wonderful.
This was also my first day wearing traditional Ghanaian clothing which allowed me to blend in and also to stand out to those who were not accustomed to me wearing the clothing! It was truly a great feeling and I certainly plan on wearing the clothing any time we travel to participate in traditional Ghanaian events/activities.
Last week, I mentioned to Dr. Susan Herlin whom I refer to as "Chief" that the library at the Zo-Simli junior high school is what I would call "nonexistent." The library is a small room with large shelves in which collect dust. The books that are there are in boxes, unavailable to the students whom have expressed to me that would like to read books during their free time. So Chief has connected me with a young man who works at the Northern Regional Library here in Tamale. Us along with another young man whom is skilled with his hands have set up a plan to improve the library. Chief has agreed to sponsor this plan. This would include building new shelves, fixing the ceiling, and most importantly, strategically organizing the books so that they can be available to students to read or check-out.
I am glad to be able to teach the students English, but it is even more fulfilling to me to leave knowing that there was improvement to the school as well. My mother always used to tell me no matter where you are, you take pride in what you have. In other words, the Zo-Simli school may need more improvements than many other schools, but if they have a library in which is taken care of, a library that the students enjoy and can take full advantage of, that is what is important. I look forward to seeing my suggestion come to fruition thanks to the help of Chief and everyone who puts forth effort to participate.