I made it to 200 !!

So here I sit on the terrace of an hotel in Accra having slept most of the bus trip overnight from Wa, emotionally exhausted. I have left Nadowli on the journey home to England following the most amazing 2 years of my life. As predicted, it is harder to leave than it was to come here. The Goodbyes seemed to last for ages and each was painful. The generosity of people overwhelmed me at times. Louisa instructed me not to cry. I was told to "try as hard as a monkey's buttocks" not to weep. People here don't cry! It was almost impossible at times though, especially when presented with a host of gifts and kind words. All of these were hand made in Ghana, some very locally. I have woven baskets, woven Dagaare Kente cloth and exquisite batiks too. My Ghanaian colleagues made wonderful speeches, that I am sure I don't deserve, and I responded effusively. My responses encouraged them to look to the future and their responsibilities to the thousands of children in their care. Rewards come in different guises not just in monetary form, I reminded some, but I haven't met many people here who would believe that.

On top of all of that, I have reached my target of 200 blog postings in 2 years. I am proud of that achievement as much as any other. I am grateful to those who have stuck with me and read it to the end. Thank you for your interest and loyalty. It has been a labour of love and a valuable diary of my most significant experiences. I have learned so much about so many things and the opportunity to be immersed in this culture has been an incredible privilege. I only hope my "giving" has matched my "receiving". There is much that I shall miss about Ghana and life in Nadowli specifically. Some of those things will be a little negative but most I feel sad to have lost. I have listed here the top 50, not in any particular order, of course!

Things I shall miss…………….

“NANSALA, HOW ARE YOU?  I AM FINE, THANK YOU!”

Sunshine to wake me almost every morning and endless warmth, sometimes too much.

Having virtually no responsibility and nothing to worry about.

Friendly greetings at all times of the day, with smiles.

The thrill of riding with Michael in challenging conditions.

Being slightly overcharged for almost everything and not caring

Hearing “It is finished” about something vital

A whole wealth of wonderful Ghanaian English phrases……. “ I came and met it here”

“African time”….being hours late and nobody at all bothered!

People managing very well with nothing.

Eating soup with my fingers

Cooking with bare essential ingredients, all from a tiny market.

Sleeping with no covers almost every night

Exciting storms and the heaviest rain

Exotic fruits growing plentifully nearby

Not having a clue what is happening in the outside world, nor caring.

Wondering what types of creatures make the amazing sounds at night

Not needing anything much and feeling free and healthy

Hearing, “I’m coming” and knowing it won’t be any time soon.

Endless sand and dust everywhere

Not being able to blend into a crowd

Wondering whether I have been undercharged for utilities

Sitting in the shade of beautiful trees in a slight breeze

So many identical plastic chairs

Getting tangled in my mosquito net

Knowing there won’t be a flushing toilet anywhere I’m going all day

Finding £133 a month more than I need to live on.

Being addressed by my colour rather than my name…”Nansapor”

The sound of sweeping arriving with the dawn

Knowing a smattering of an African tribal language and using it.

A million stars in a clear black sky and the moon lying on its back.

Trying to eat unrecognisable pieces of meat, often hairy skin wrapped tightly with intestines, floating in my soup

People offering to help me carry things, however light.

Women wearing multiple bright coloured cloths, all clashing and looking wonderful.

Wearing the same 2 pairs of shoes for 2 years.

The horror of seeing canes on teachers’ desks

Being surrounded by naturally, beautifully toned, fit young people

Farm animals sharing my living and working spaces

Being called to prayer several times a day

Being sure nothing will be quite as I’ve planned it

Buying beautifully coloured cloth very cheaply as my only retail therapy

Experiencing something new each day that excites me

Drinking water from sachets

Wearing “summer” clothes all year.

Everything being dispensed in small black “polythenes”   

Being only slightly concerned about my safety in a tightly packed unroadworthy tro 

Very polite, learned greetings from children accompanied by a curtsy or salute                                      

Almost never wishing I had a TV

Realising that managing from day to day as enjoyably as possible is all that really matters here

Knowing my washing will be dry in a matter of minutes

This blog will rest now as Adrienne will not be in Africa! However, I shall be returning here many times. I cannot really leave as Ghana has got under my skin and into my heart forever.