The last time I climbed a mountain was in the Adirondack's, and, quite frankly, I am pretty sure that I did not even make it to the top.  Therefore, what possessed Kat and I to climb the highest mountain in Ghana?  Answer: our ignorance.

We had little idea what was in store for us when we headed off on Friday morning.  For instance, we didn't know how to get there or where we would stay once we got there.  By sheer luck, and some kind Ghanians, we were able to stumble upon our desired conquest: Mount Afajato. 

After waiting for a guide--a ten year old wearing a pair of flip flops--we ventured toward the trail.  With only a few crackers in my stomach, I was still confident the 45 minute hike up the mountain would not pose much of a problem.  Flash forward to me ten minutes later, and I am hunched over gasping in the most humid air that I have ever attempted to breath. 

Stopping was not an option, even though my legs were screaming with each step. How did I convince myself this would be a good idea?  It wasn't until I saw the marker indicating that we had just climbed mountain in Ghana that I felt a rush of relief.

The rush of relief was quickly countered by the herd of people that were already on the top of the mountain before us.  When I reached the top I expected the peace and serenity of nature to engulf me.  Instead, I discovered myself bombarded by curious Ghanian men asking to have a million pictures with us.

Kat politely posed for the seemingly endless photo shot, which may or may not have resulted in her being proposed to or impregnated (you choose).  I attempted to escape to the other side of the peak, and tried to breathlessly answer the slew of common questions: where are you from, how long have you been here, how long will you be here, are you married, and will you take me back to America with you.  It was not until the group left the peak that I was able to take in the spectacular spectacle that lay around me.

My jello legs carried me back down the mountain, and I made it back to Ho safe and sound once again. 

I am standing outside witnessing a building going up in flames.  Then the building is apparently detached from the connecting buildings and pushed off into the canal.  I see a girl successfully escape from the flames, and I pull her to safety.  As I turn from the destructive scene, Bruce Willis approaches me to talk about the future of our movie together.  In the end, we decide that we should first eat a cookie from the bakery window. mmm, tastes like victory. 

Dreams have gotten the better of me the past couple of weeks.  Let's just say that about 90% of my dreams end in food, and about 100% of my dreams have had some of my family members in them.  J and Cori, we were taking a pot of potato salad out to the soccer field for a picnic.  Colleen, you and I were going to go to a Broadway musical.  Han, I know I celebrated your birthday in one of my dreams, and Rachel you were kayaking in one of my dreams.  Matt man, you were in there too, but sadly you weren't allowed to come to the Broadway musical because you had to watch the kids.  =  ) 

The days have developed a certain routine.  Teaching 9-2, and adventuring 2-10.  (That's right, I go to bed around 10.)  Today Kat and I even got to hold precious puppies that were only a couple weeks old.  The randomness of our encounters never ceases to amaze me.  Don't worry mom, I washed my hands afterward.  This weekend we are going to tackle our biggest adventure yet: a mountain.   

No two days are alike, and people still seemed surprised to see two white girls walking about.  I am beginning to think we are rather odd myself.

the teacher is taught

I have finished 5 days of teaching, and the crash course in teaching ESL has left me mentally exhausted.  Without the help of my wonderful sister-in-law, I would probably would not have made it through this first week.  However, I have learned some crucial lessons from the children already.  Number 1: a little squishy ball can be a teacher's best friend.  It serves as both a teaching tool and a time killer for all age levels.  Who doesn't like to chuck at soccer ball at their classmates with the teacher's permission.  Which leads to lesson number 2: boys and girls automatically separate themselves unless you intervene.  It makes me chuckle to see young children mold in the roles that they deem appropriate for their sex.  For instance, today the boys were romping and wrestling in the dust while the girls proceeded to play an organized game of toss inside.  Kat and I are attempting to break the molds with our rusty "football" skills at the stadium tomorrow. 

Lesson number 3: stickers are equal to candy in Ghana.  It is going to be hard to save the stickers because I want to reward all the children for their attentiveness and efforts.  I have been extraordinarily impressed with the bright students I have in my classroom.  Across the board, the students are so diligent with their studies and constantly ask for more work and more books.  I cannot even imagine what it would be like if these children had daily access to a computer lab and library.   

T-minus 3 minutes

I have three minutes left on my internet cafe time, so let's see what I can crank out.  Probably top thing on my list is the fact that I made my radio debut in Ghana this morning.  I got up at 4:45...yes, 4:45, in order to get to the station by 5:30.  Now even more surprising is the reality that I gave a devotional.  I do know how it happened, but I made it through, and people even stopped me on the street to compliment me on my "sermon."  Just all part of the adventure, or misadventure as I like to call it.  Other notes: people cannot say my name.  When I said my name was Beth, pastor Eric said oh is it spelled "but."  I just smile and roll with the punches. 

It is our first day in Ho, and Kat and I already managed to find a computer.  (We are such Americans).  After arriving safe and sound in Accra, we had the pleasure of meeting Precious.  She showed us around the city, and even bought us our first sweet treat in Ghana.  It is called Congetta-sp-it is a peanut buttery hard candy?  However, the surge of sugar to my brain impaired my my ability to order dinner because I quickly forgot that I do not like enough vegetables to order the "vegetable rice."  I tried my best, but some mushrooms, green peppers, and onions remained on my plate.  Precious "picked" us the next morning along with Lucy, another volunteer who will be staying for a month.  Now Kat and I have settled into our home.  We are staying in a compound type area with all the essential needs: a school and a church.  Our host father, Pastor Eric, welcomed us to his home that he shares with the children we will be teaching.  Needless to say, our pirate tattoos were quite a hit with the kids--thanks Jo and Mary.  = )

Departure at last

So it is approximately five in the morning.  No, I am not getting up as you might think.  I am about to go to sleep.  Waiting till the last minute to pack does has its downsides.  But I managed to ram all my clothes and school supplies into two suitcases, and I even managed to break our bathroom scale in the process of trying to weigh all my luggage.  Sorry about that mom and dad.  How come clothes weight so much!  Anyways, back to the original point of why I am writing this blog.  I am leaving on a jet plane (feel free to sing the song), and I won't be back again for 3 months.  Ghana here I come along with my dear friend from home, Kat Dibella.  We are working for an organization called Dream African Volunteers.  During our stay we will be teaching children at an orphanage in the city of Ho.  Although I do not know a lot of the specifics about the culture of Ghana, I am ready for whatever I might encounter.  For those of you who have seen Inception, I laugh at Arthur's notion of "specificity."  I am a kinesthetic learner about to have the experience of a lifetime thanks to my family supporting me.  Kim, Sandi- I'm talking to you.  And mom and dad you are always behind my endevours...I love you!!!