This and That

This past Saturday Katie and I were fortunate enough to venture to Cape Coast again to attend an annual festival known as Oguaa Fetu Afahye. We were first treated to lunch at Coconut Grove, a resort on the ocean. Sister Esther and Sr. Maggie sure know how to entertain. It was classy and delicious. I ate chicken cooked in mushroom and coconut sauce with potatoes on the side. Katie had a chicken basket with french fries. So, chilling, relaxing at the beach...we decided to test out our feet in the water. Hiking up our skirts we kicked off our shoes and walked on the beach. Comfort thought it was a brilliant idea to climb on the rocks near by. Naturally Katie and I followed. Hey, if Comfort was doing it, it must be okay. We were just getting ready to pose for a picture that Sr. Veronica was going to take and we were pleasantly surprised by a giant wave that decided to grace us with its presence. Just moments before, the water was calm and no where near the rocks. Ha! Esther said the ocean did it on purpose and it heard us on the rocks and thought that we wanted to swim. We were soaked! All the people at the restaurant got a kick out of it too. We felt like we were Ariel in The Little Mermaid when she sits on the giant rock, singing, and the waves crash around her.

Anyways, moving on to the festival... Before we got there, we stopped at a Shell gas station and purchased ice cream! YUM! Okay, festival...People everywhere, music, drums, dancing! The whole nine yards. We parked the car and walked to where the "parade" procession was and found our way to the public square. There were chiefs being carried in wooden chairs on top of men's heads. Their were people drumming for their chiefs and dancing all around him. We got to see the chief of Cape Coast as well as the president of Ghana, Atta Mills. There were women carrying wooden stools on their heads. These stools are believed to hold the spirits of that particular tribe's ancestors. These women are chosen by their tribe to have the honor of carrying the stool. In Ghana, each stool is unique and has a different meaning. There are symbols carved in them that represent things such as "serve God" or "Go back to your roots." It was really interesting and definitely a custom and ritual that we know nothing about, but we are learning.

FYI: Comfort has mastered the bicycle!!! Next we need to work on swimming!

So far, this week has consisted of preparing for school to begin and meeting the bishop of our diocese here. Earlier in the week, Esther and Maggie took Katie, Veronica, and myself into Accra to purchase supplies for the school. Needless to say, Katie and I have quickly become increasingly creative as we attempt to make our absolutely bare room come to life. I am beginning to appreciate all the access to teaching materials I had while student teaching.

Today (Thursday), Katie and I were taken to Cape Coast again, only this time for official business. We went to the Secretariat office of the bishop to introduce ourselves. He was a wonderful man and excited to meet us.

Our little friend Jamilla has become our shadow in this past week since we met her. She is anxious to help us and loves following us wherever we go, even if we're doing laundry. She is absolutely adorable and so lovable. Her laugh is so innocent and makes everyone around the house happy. She helped Katie and I in our classroom for hours the other day. Jamillah loves our room and can't help herself when she gets to play with things like our cameras, video camera, MP3Player, computer... she finds it so fascinating. She also loves listening to my music after I return from a run. She says, "please, put it in my ear." Today, as we departed for Cape Coast, she held my hand while I explained that we had to leave for a meeting. She looked at me and flatly said, "No, you can't!" I said, "But we have to." ... "Please don't go, stay here." She finally allowed me to leave when I promised her that we would be back later today and she could play with us then. Sure enough, she was waiting for us when we pulled in the gate.