Another quick post, but this one with some photos, hopefully. All this technology is a challenge.

So, about the park, check out: www.ecotour.org/destinations/kakum.htm
or, just search for Kakum National Park.

Also, I've tried to post some photos. See if this works: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/dxebird7/my_photos


more soon...

xoxo...d

Bear with me, this must be an abbreviated post as I don't have much time today, but soon I should have more to post and time.

I know that I have several packages at the Accra office, so if you've sent me something, please know that I'll have it as soon as I can get to the big city to claim it from the PC mailroom. Incidentally, Accra is a three hour tro-tro ride from Cape Coast and my trips there require at least an overnight stay in the PC-provided lodging (not quite a vacation). In the near future, I might move my mailing address to the NGO here in Cape Coast, however, that may be less secure than the Accra office--urgh!! Getting the package vs speed--a tough decision, I'll probably stick with the status quo. Regardless, I really miss the ol' USPS. Letters from the US seem to take 2-4 weeks to arrive and packages take equally as long. The DHL packages are far faster (thank you, thank you Nancy D., you're an angel despite the mischievous grin!!!!).

So look for more of a post soon, hopefully before x-mas, but if not, merry solstice to all and lovely wishes for a meaningful and joyous new year.

Healing thoughts to Jen and Carter...

xoxo...d

I'm still in Ghana, however, very sadly in Ghana. Last Friday, I got word that my beloved Grandma Brackman had died. With her funeral scheduled for last Saturday, there was no way for me to return for her service.

Those who know me well, do know that she was a guiding light for my life. She was self-possessed and caring--a tough balancing act. At 95 years old, she was blessed with a long lovely life and I'm grateful for all those years.

I'm very sad to be so far away without familiar hands to hold. I'm as ok as possible, just painfully aware of the vast distance between here and there.

Hello, hello!! I'm a newly minted PCV, V for volunteer, as of last Friday. The swearing-in festivities followed a busy week of moving from the host family's home and PASSING my language exam. I'm still not certain how that happened, but I was rated "intermediate low." That language rating basically means that using rudimentary grunts and lots of hand gestures that someone will take me to the hospital not because I'm bleeding, but because they believe I need to be committed. Regardless, I'm thrilled.

I was really sad to leave my homestay family. Nurse/sister/mommi Jane and the kids had been so sweet to me. As a parting gift they gave me two outfits, one is a traditional garment from their homeland in the upper western region of Ghana. It is woven strips of cloth sewn together to form yard goods, basically mine was a vertically striped shapless bag of a dress, although highly prized and valued by some Ghanains. I believe that once I cut it into pieces that I'll have a great kitchen towel assortment. The second outfit is completely different. It is s tie-dyed deep purple 2-piece slack ensemble. The top's collars are deeply notched, the buttons have been covered with the same fabric and the trousers have pockets, a non-native species here in Ghana. The outfit makes me look like something from Sesame Street, all I need is a big red rubber nose and a little more hair gel. As you might have guessed, I'm not one-with-the-clothes here, neither the styles nor the colors, perhaps the last lifetime??

Back to the swearing-in for a note about African ceremonies, they are marathons involving speeches by everyone and anyone who might be remotely politically related, drummers, dancers and hoopla. In this case we also heard from the recently arrived American Ambassador. The local chief chanted and poured libations on mother earth and we had prayers from both the Christians and the Moslims. In addition to the dignitaries, all the trainees participated in some way. My language recited Fanti proverbs and their English translations. Mine was--agor hia sen hia pa--lack of friends is worse than poverty (actually in this extended family culture, lack of friendship means poverty). So the end of training, yahoo!!!! Now the 49 are dispersed in every direction in Ghana to fulfill our respective missions.

So, here I sit in Cape Coast in the whiz-fast internet. Sarah and I arrived y'day and we weren't met by our counterparts, actually they thought we had keys to their guest house and instead we spent the night in another accomodation, frustrated and weary from a day of travelling. Four hours on a crowded, sweaty and dusty 30-passenger bus can deplete every molecule of good humor from a girl. AFter some apologies, we moved into the guest house this morning. We'll use the guest house as a home base this week to accumulate our new household supplies and hopefully get moved into our places by the weekend. It is Africa and nothing happens the way you plan....

So that's my story this week. I hope to get some pictures here soon. X-mas?? I can't even imagine from here in the tropics.

I miss you all. xoxo...d

ps. healing thoughts to Grandma and Jen. Bravo Brian, I'll come visit in Uganda!