Day One

We arrived with far too much luggage, largely due to donations, and realized that most of the team was on our flight. Upon leaving the protection of the airport terminal, the heat hits you like a solid wall of steam, and you are instantly clammy and too warm, but we didn’t care. Finally, we were in Ghana!

We met the fifth member of our team at the hotel, he having arrived one day prior. The hoteliers immediately proffered each of us the coldest water bottle we would find in Ghana, apparently kept in the freezer. Mine had ice in it. Heaven! We unpacked in a room that was very much what one would find in a mid-priced motel in the states. Everything was clean, but there were stains on the quilts which was a pity, since both were actually quilted and pieced quilts. There was also no water pressure to speak of to either the toilet or shower. Whatever! Be flexible, we were told before we arrived, and we are. An hour to rest and I fell asleep. This would become my pattern in this beautiful country. Every time I lay my head on a pillow, I quickly fall into restful, exquisite sleep. This is so far out of my norm that I have to attribute it to the magic of Ghana.

Meeting for our first team dinner we learned more about Esther, our leader, and Lydia, her assistant, and a few phrases in Twi (pronounced tchwee) that we instantly forgot. We were very tired, yet surprisingly energetic and excited about this new adventure. It is a heady combination! We also learned that to wave in the manner that a baby waves “Bye-bye” is not what we think it is, it means “come here” and is likely to net you a flock of Ghanaians who have been previously calling to you, “Obroni! Obroni!”. We also learned the word “Obroni” that would become the background music to our journey. It means “White person.”