Wednesday, July 14, 2010

This morning we got up and went to a bead workshop where we learned how to make the glass beads. It was pretty awesome. Everything was done by hand which gave me such a greater appreciation for them. It was weird to have the other volunteers doing the workshop with us. They just kept talking about how much more efficient the process would be if done by a machine. They clearly have no appreciation for the beauty of handmade things.

The process was definitely tedious, you have to first pound the glass until it’s a dust, then you take cassava sticks an cut them into little tiny pieces and place them in the center of the mold which will make the center of the bead. Then you mix dye in with the glass dust and put the dust into the mold. Then you heat the molds in a fire for 5 minutes and then fire them for 15-20 minutes. Then you let them cool and wash them. We all got to make bracelets out of the beads we made.

After the workshop we went to the bead market. It was amazing. There were so many beads ranging from 50 pesewa to 500 cedi. Some of them were African trading beads that never loose their value and many people invest in them and hold onto them, kind of like gold.

After the market we started our journey back to Cape Coast. We caught a Tro Tro to Accra. When we got to Accra we had to walk a little way to catch another Tro that would take us to Cape Coast. Ellen and I had to use the restroom so we made friends with a vendor who took us to use a public bathroom. It was really nice because we had to go through a market area and she grabbed my hand and showed me where to go. When other people were shouting at me clearly because I'm white, she turned to me and said, “Don’t mind them.” It was super cute. We had to pay 5 pesewa to use the restroom.. Which was actually a concrete room. In the corner there was a small square where the concrete was about three inches lower then the rest of the floor with a small hole in the corner. I did my best to make it in the hole.. but I clearly need practice. By the time I left my shorts and shoes were both wet… oops.

From Accra we caught a tro to Takrodi, which is west of Elmina. It was better then having caught one to Cape Coast because we got dropped off right at our junction and didn’t have to worry about catching another taxi after dark.

Overall, I had a great couple of days. Traveling was totally stress free and more fun then I expected. I’m really happy I ended up going, it was a successful last adventure in Ghana.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

This morning we got up and went to a bead workshop where we learned how to make the glass beads. It was pretty awesome. Everything was done by hand which gave me such a greater appreciation for them. It was weird to have the other volunteers doing the workshop with us. They just kept talking about how much more efficient the process would be if done by a machine. They clearly have no appreciation for the beauty of handmade things.

The process was definitely tedious, you have to first pound the glass until it’s a dust, then you take cassava sticks an cut them into little tiny pieces and place them in the center of the mold which will make the center of the bead. Then you mix dye in with the glass dust and put the dust into the mold. Then you heat the molds in a fire for 5 minutes and then fire them for 15-20 minutes. Then you let them cool and wash them. We all got to make bracelets out of the beads we made.

After the workshop we went to the bead market. It was amazing. There were so many beads ranging from 50 pesewa to 500 cedi. Some of them were African trading beads that never loose their value and many people invest in them and hold onto them, kind of like gold.

After the market we started our journey back to Cape Coast. We caught a Tro Tro to Accra. When we got to Accra we had to walk a little way to catch another Tro that would take us to Cape Coast. Ellen and I had to use the restroom so we made friends with a vendor who took us to use a public bathroom. It was really nice because we had to go through a market area and she grabbed my hand and showed me where to go. When other people were shouting at me clearly because I'm white, she turned to me and said, “Don’t mind them.” It was super cute. We had to pay 5 pesewa to use the restroom.. Which was actually a concrete room. In the corner there was a small square where the concrete was about three inches lower then the rest of the floor with a small hole in the corner. I did my best to make it in the hole.. but I clearly need practice. By the time I left my shorts and shoes were both wet… oops.

From Accra we caught a tro to Takrodi, which is west of Elmina. It was better then having caught one to Cape Coast because we got dropped off right at our junction and didn’t have to worry about catching another taxi after dark.

Overall, I had a great couple of days. Traveling was totally stress free and more fun then I expected. I’m really happy I ended up going, it was a successful last adventure in Ghana.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

This morning we got up and went to a bead workshop where we learned how to make the glass beads. It was pretty awesome. Everything was done by hand which gave me such a greater appreciation for them. It was weird to have the other volunteers doing the workshop with us. They just kept talking about how much more efficient the process would be if done by a machine. They clearly have no appreciation for the beauty of handmade things.

The process was definitely tedious, you have to first pound the glass until it’s a dust, then you take cassava sticks an cut them into little tiny pieces and place them in the center of the mold which will make the center of the bead. Then you mix dye in with the glass dust and put the dust into the mold. Then you heat the molds in a fire for 5 minutes and then fire them for 15-20 minutes. Then you let them cool and wash them. We all got to make bracelets out of the beads we made.

After the workshop we went to the bead market. It was amazing. There were so many beads ranging from 50 pesewa to 500 cedi. Some of them were African trading beads that never loose their value and many people invest in them and hold onto them, kind of like gold.

After the market we started our journey back to Cape Coast. We caught a Tro Tro to Accra. When we got to Accra we had to walk a little way to catch another Tro that would take us to Cape Coast. Ellen and I had to use the restroom so we made friends with a vendor who took us to use a public bathroom. It was really nice because we had to go through a market area and she grabbed my hand and showed me where to go. When other people were shouting at me clearly because I'm white, she turned to me and said, “Don’t mind them.” It was super cute. We had to pay 5 pesewa to use the restroom.. Which was actually a concrete room. In the corner there was a small square where the concrete was about three inches lower then the rest of the floor with a small hole in the corner. I did my best to make it in the hole.. but I clearly need practice. By the time I left my shorts and shoes were both wet… oops.

From Accra we caught a tro to Takrodi, which is west of Elmina. It was better then having caught one to Cape Coast because we got dropped off right at our junction and didn’t have to worry about catching another taxi after dark.

Overall, I had a great couple of days. Traveling was totally stress free and more fun then I expected. I’m really happy I ended up going, it was a successful last adventure in Ghana.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Today Nick, Ellen and I ended up going to Krobo. In the morning I wasn’t feeling good and wasn’t looking forward to traveling at all, but I sucked it up and decided to have one more adventure before I leave.

In order to get to Krobo we had to come to Cape Coast and get a “Ford Bus Fast Car” which is actually just a big van and the reason its called a fast car is because it fills up in Cape Coast and goes straight to Accra without stopping. When we were there waiting for it to fill up Ellen had to use the restroom, so she asked a women where she should go. To our surprise the women bluntly asked, “Do u have to shit or urinate?” It totally caught us off guard and was pretty funny.

When we got to Accra we went to the Global Mamas store and I bought a few things to bring home. I was kind of disappointed because some of the things I wanted were sold out, but that’s just life and I guess it made it so I didn’t spend so much money.

Next, went to Koala, which is a westernized grocery store. They had these chocolate doughnuts and Sarah’s birthday is on Thursday so we got one to bring back for her. All the food looked AMAZING, but it was all pretty expensive especially the American brands so I couldn’t justify buying them because I’ll be home in less then a week.

We went to a restaurant in Accra for lunch called Melting Moments. We all split a pizza, it was no American pizza but it was good regardless.

After lunch it was on the road again. We went to a taxi station where we could get a fast car to Ho. The taxi station was INTENSE. Its one of those things where no matter how hard I try to explain it you could only understand if you were there, but I’ll try my best. There are a ton of huge vans piled into a parking lot pretty much bumper to bumper. There are people everywhere and EVERYONE want you to go in their car so they’re grabbing you and pushing you and pulling you every which way screaming, “You! Where are you going?” it was pretty exciting. We ended up telling a man we were going to Ho, he grabbed us and pulled us through all the people to a fast car. We all piled in and waited it for it to fill up. While we’re waiting there are venders selling all sorts of stuff on their head from pure water to toothbrushes. They come to the window of the cars so you can buy things, a total new meaning to drive through.

Although we took a fast car to Ho we actually had to get dropped in Kpong, which is south of Ho, and catch another car to Odemasi. We made it to the Global Mamas office in Odemasi just as it was getting dark. Perfect timing. We phoned Rebecca who is the head of the Odemasi office and she gave us directions to the Volunteer house.

There were three other volunteers at the house, they just got in two days ago and you could tell they were still in the adjusting phase. They were also very much business with no personality or sense of humor. They talked about things like accounting and computer software. Barf. Thank god we had each other. J

Monday, July 12, 2010

Today I worked from the house. Everyone else had to go to the office for one reason or another. Minus Ellen and Apiah I had the entire house to myself. It was very nice to have some alone time and be able to work without any distractions.

I finished drawing flats for all the new samples and started drawing them for some of last years garments that they are going to continue doing in the new catalog.

We are also trying to plan a trip to Krobo for tomorrow to go to the bead market. I really want to go because I think it will be a good experience, and if we do the bead workshop I will learn how they make the glass beads. The only issue is I don’t want to have to deal with the stress of planning and traveling during the last week before I leave.

After work I went to the pool and read for a while. It wasn’t sunny and I kept my hoodie on the entire time, I just really wanted to sit in something comfortable and although the lawn chairs at the pool aren’t that great they are definitely an upgrade from the plastic chairs I have gotten used to. I really can’t wait to sit on a comfortable couch with a big fluffy blanket and socks on.

For dinner we had Red Red at Elis. I haven’t had it since revenge of the red red when I first got here, but I decided I should give it another chance. It was really good and I didn’t get sick, which made it even better.

Sunday, June 11, 2010

Today we went to Brenu and played in the ocean. The weather wasn’t so nice, but it was still nice to be there. I love the beach… another thing I’m going to miss about Ghana.

After the beach we went to Shell to watch Spain vs. Netherlands in the world cup. We were all rooting for Spain for Maria. It was a really good game and Spain ended up coming out on top. Maria was so excited and we were all excited for her.

Tomorrow starts my last week in Ghana. I’m not ready to go home so I just try not to think about. It's crazy how quickly time flies when you're having fun.

Saturday, June 10, 2010

When I woke up this morning I was craving a movie in the theater with a giant popcorn, but since I couldn’t have that I settled for movies on my laptop in my bed. I pretty much laid in bed and watched movies all day it was amazing! It’s so nice to have a day where you literally have nothing to do. That’s probably something I will miss about Ghana, those days seem to be much more frequent here.

Today was the last day of the Elmina festival, so at night we all went to Shell. Wisdom and Amos from the office came out this way to come with us and even Judy, Ellen and Eli came with us. It was a nice change of scenery and there were so many people out.