Monday,
July 8, 13
Me Ko Ochena. Tomorrow I leave Africa, having been here since
May.
Months ago, I received an email
while at Pitzer. It read like the fifty
before and fifty after it that I received that day and every other day – “Apply
for an incredible fellowship…Research what you please!” It was an Environmental Analysis focused
grant from Andrew Mellon administered through Harvey Mudd College. I asked around, talked to students who had
received Mellon grants before, to professors who had advised applicants, and
figured I might as well apply while waiting for internship notifications to
trickle in.
With less than two weeks before the
deadline, I first had to decide what I wanted to research, where to go,
ect. Supposedly, domestic research was
more common, although international research was recommended. Of course, if I were to apply, I might as
well shoot high. I could research the
rise of Ecotourism in Eco-Lodges in Ecuador, having a relationship with Cabañas Alanaui along the Napo River,
deep within the Ecuadorian Rainforest.
However, I’ve been there four times before, and the rainforest is a
difficult place to navigate without a private vehicle (very little public
transportation). Instead, I decided to
apply to live in Ghana. It was funny; I
chose where I wanted to live instead
of what I wanted to research.
Four months later I was squeezing my
first Ankaa on the Amasaman roadside
waiting for a Trotro to Accra. Every
time I think about how I managed to move across the world by myself, I shake my
head and grin.
I’ve said it many times before;
Ghana is one of the most incredible places in the world. Like many of my peers, I’m always on the
search for the balance of money, fun, and experiences that will shape who I am
and will become. I’ve tested the waters
here before, but this time I’m certain that it’s no fluke; Ghana’s a place I
hope to keep with me and visit for the rest of my life. I’ve been quite lucky to have had such an
incredible, successful, rich adventure.
But it’s not over yet. Although I’ll be back in Claremont in less
than a month helping lead Resident Assistant training, in between I’ll be
living in London; house sitting a downtown apartment for a family of five while
they’re vacationing in the states. I
have to write up my report during the next three weeks, but in between I plan
to travel to Spain, Scotland, and Iceland with my good friend and former
roommate Bryan. Although I don’t plan to
update this blog at a daily frequency, I do hope to journal in it and upload
photos as I’ve been doing in Ghana (as long as there’s free internet). Oh boy, it’ll be tough going from living on
$40 a day – housing, 3 meals, snacks, and transportation included – to paying
$10 for a pint of Guinness. Saaa!
I
suppose this sort of experience is supposed to have a profound impact; a 21
year-old carving out a trip in Ghana, flying solo for most of it, learning a
new language and adapting to new norms.
I don't feel like a different person.
Instead, I view this sort of experience as a morals-refresher; something
that puts life and priorities in perspective.
Ghanaians don’t have sanitation, punctuality, or wealth in order – yet
I’d be willing to bet they score higher on a “happiness” index over America any
day. Ghanaians embrace life as it comes
– unpredictable, impossible to fully dominate and master, and easygoing. They live for the same needs as anywhere else
– food, shelter, family, friends, and money – but prioritize the list in a much
healthier order than we do in America. I’d
trade a life of stress, deadlines and scrutiny for the simple, human-connection
based life in Ghana any day.
 |
| Wearing Kente Cloth from Kumasi with my friend James |
Me fre ye Kweku. Me Fri U.S.
Me di Fufu ni tilapia. Me pe
Ghana, me hunu wu!
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