tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81578029311199817322024-03-18T22:01:13.781-07:00Curious! Open! Excited!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11519336264859374549noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8157802931119981732.post-46019673673375822013-02-11T16:17:00.001-08:002013-02-11T16:19:09.905-08:00the train.I'm back in America, in California, in the places I used to be most familiar in. I now feel like a fish out of water. They say that life is fast in the States and it sure is. I'm still struggling to articulate that in words. My body, on the other hand, seems to identify it better. Sweaty hands. My hands have been nervous wrecks since before I touched down on American soil and continue to stay so.<br />
<br />
I took the train from San Diego to Los Angeles over the weekend and got to witness the most beautiful clouds. It was quite a treat and feeling inspired I wrote a short something. I never post anything I write, but today I'm feeling especially open. Hope to see your lovely face soon!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAeE9dLOBm_A3V83ePKP0QGRQD5eXY8FDLnC71jAOFXKKDn6wMPeiwleczCFB-VMYYYya_SBdE9nRp5Li9h-H9gcNGN09ilVeNo3AKe_VcbMWgWXHFWt9n79xUzkxr4CyP1NHXGc9W6ac/s1600/sky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAeE9dLOBm_A3V83ePKP0QGRQD5eXY8FDLnC71jAOFXKKDn6wMPeiwleczCFB-VMYYYya_SBdE9nRp5Li9h-H9gcNGN09ilVeNo3AKe_VcbMWgWXHFWt9n79xUzkxr4CyP1NHXGc9W6ac/s400/sky.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11519336264859374549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8157802931119981732.post-40875352561121296742012-11-23T08:26:00.001-08:002012-11-23T08:40:45.060-08:00What Can I Live With?Ah! It has been quite some time, hasn't it? The days here pass by so quickly and slow at the same time and before you know it 2 months have gone by since my last post. I have become so accustomed to living here that I don't feel the urge to document it all. Taking photos seems like such an outsider thing to do. At this point, I almost feel that sharing photos isn't what this blog is about anymore, but rather the thoughts, questions, insights I experience.<br />
<br />
To be honest, I didn't think anyone would be interested in reading, but it was super sweet to hear that my amazing family is checking in. So Gloria and Patty, this post is for you!<br />
<br />
On the door to my room, I made a sign. It is actually part of a clever system Sarah, my German roommate, and I have set up. One side has an inspiring quote from brilliant Eleanor Roosevelt to keep us motivated. The other side says "All adventurous women do." A quote taken from HBO's <a href="http://www.hbo.com/girls/index.html">"Girls</a>," a show that has created a bond among us females in our home. This side has a dual purpose. 1) To remind us that all adventurous women do. Do what? Do something! And maybe that something is one thing every day that scares us. 2) It is to let the other roommate know that some alone time is needed. Living in a house with 16 people sometimes doesn't offer you those moments.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3yce6AkAgdatxO2gGuIMmEpjOZhjS4O_1yDWg4dn5MbTaur27StKgTsc9yZSFpheqX3eu-aVoyg2UgIQ41J_ANwhr3tdoIVcP9x-mNfLz707G5_OYbPZ_Icdo6XRvxegKpAafGYK4oM/s1600/PB223421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3yce6AkAgdatxO2gGuIMmEpjOZhjS4O_1yDWg4dn5MbTaur27StKgTsc9yZSFpheqX3eu-aVoyg2UgIQ41J_ANwhr3tdoIVcP9x-mNfLz707G5_OYbPZ_Icdo6XRvxegKpAafGYK4oM/s200/PB223421.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5Ophdb1ow80EDuhvTqeLGElOoyxhOqF8UbuVm-vZ2-Hm-OHKyr_w1Qy-OSczScekbpvIT6CD4dUBNk79j5nAe79j6GfKEVFUMvtZTi43hURUNjmyl5kZygIHEaqGHkKSpXqjFClLft8/s1600/PB223423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5Ophdb1ow80EDuhvTqeLGElOoyxhOqF8UbuVm-vZ2-Hm-OHKyr_w1Qy-OSczScekbpvIT6CD4dUBNk79j5nAe79j6GfKEVFUMvtZTi43hURUNjmyl5kZygIHEaqGHkKSpXqjFClLft8/s200/PB223423.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
These past couple of days I have required that time. We just finished our staff retreat, parted ways with loved ones and did massive prepping for Thanksgiving. Overwhelmed to say the least. The staff retreat was an inspiring meeting of the minds: culturally, professionally and personally. Global Brigades has become not just my work, but my family. Together we scheme and dream of what our organization will look like in 10 - 15 years. It seems silly sometimes because I can not even begin to imagine who I will be in one year, but from the beautiful and touching comments my GB family say about me I am pretty positive Rachel in 2013 is a pretty amazing woman. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Thanks, dudes!)</span><br />
<br />
One of our weekly discussions is what each one of us will do when we get home. Some are applying to med school. Some to grad school. And some are trying to figure it out. I am part of the latter. I get so excited, scared, impatient, demanding, oh I go through the gamut with myself, over all the possibilities. For example: At the retreat, we talked about our exit strategy from a community. What does that look like? How is it sustainable? Does GB still provide support? I had proposed a scholarship initiative through Public Health and by the end of the day I thought, "International Education! Yes, that is what I need to get involved in." But what does that even mean for me. Can I live abroad for years at a time? The longer I spend here the more I doubt my capacity to do so. And coming to terms with that is a process, but at least I have the opportunity to try. And you don't know till you try. But once again, I have opened another treasure trove of questions and my mind is spiraling. I almost react to every experience and thought trolling to find out who I will be. It's exhausting.<br />
<br />
Yesterday I spoke with a friend, who is going on his second year with GB and living outside America. This conversation touched on aspects of life abroad, attitude with returning to the US, development work in our own communities back home. The topics were eye opening and honestly things I hadn't considered. I think my <a href="http://imgur.com/OLs3D">brain's mouth</a> was gaping over all that I had overlooked. This whole time I have been focused on myself and the future instead of the conversation I am actually living everyday.<br />
<br />
And I think that is where the glitch is. I want to know who I will be and what will I be doing. And I want to know NOW!!! I'm like <a href="http://youtu.be/TRTkCHE1sS4">Veruca Salt</a> when it comes to my future. I guess not much as changed, huh, Pop? Am I a graduate student? What kind of work will I be doing? Will I be happy doing that work? Where I can serve best? The ultimate question is "What can I live with?" And answer is "You don't need to know now, Veruca, and when you do it will more than likely change with time." Oh brother.<br />
<br />
My boyfriend wrote me this before I left, "It’s all going to be ok. You are whole. You are loved. You are a beautiful and essential part of a beautiful universe.” Be true to yourself and everything will work out – because you already have everything you need inside of you. And you are exactly where you should be, because this is where you are!" They are words I cling to now. I am here for one single year and I'm already a quarter through. The best thing I can do for myself is to stay present, stay focused and absorb. Grad school isn't going anywhere and neither is my future. The growth and change and all that I want to be will happen. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(insert sigh of relief)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
Thanks for tuning in! I feel actually better sharing with you and letting you know where I am. I miss you.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11519336264859374549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8157802931119981732.post-35782702971354929572012-09-12T13:47:00.001-07:002012-09-12T14:39:00.660-07:00Fabric Daze!Remember when I said that the fabric in Ghana is unreal well I decided to make some tailored dresses a reality! Today Christina, Rachel and I ventured into Mankessim to pick out some quality fabric. We found a sweet woman who educated us on the fabrics and the stories behind some of them. Excited with our new purchases we went home and did some research about what we wanted our dresses to look like. Eagerly we ran down the street to Miracle Fabrics and met with Benjamin, the tailor. He took our measurements and discussed how our dresses would look like. Here are some photos from our adventure!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhziLnmHfheowiIoXvws2dfI3ftNBJiPrcUwvN_uxs6GAGgoPcjov-nYSZhvEzs3-EjByI42F_FIyNlGYiOU8fqnm3DtVIK54SaoPUHeVWelF3DN2DxMjDwbglVXjIYMCHTybugiuXpxGU/s1600/DSC00149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhziLnmHfheowiIoXvws2dfI3ftNBJiPrcUwvN_uxs6GAGgoPcjov-nYSZhvEzs3-EjByI42F_FIyNlGYiOU8fqnm3DtVIK54SaoPUHeVWelF3DN2DxMjDwbglVXjIYMCHTybugiuXpxGU/s320/DSC00149.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben taking my measurements.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODDrVyfnAaAOISa3sVIgl0_n2DZLvItQsPvevvXDnvtK5la7P_A6x0oE-ZFJ02jKLHKouhSFs5r8u-u0YYo1GhcB6pRFxlpmc8jO3W8BJ9oif03hqclT3WoQ15Dj0Ab7jVkIpeQApb24/s1600/DSC00151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODDrVyfnAaAOISa3sVIgl0_n2DZLvItQsPvevvXDnvtK5la7P_A6x0oE-ZFJ02jKLHKouhSFs5r8u-u0YYo1GhcB6pRFxlpmc8jO3W8BJ9oif03hqclT3WoQ15Dj0Ab7jVkIpeQApb24/s320/DSC00151.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figuring out the length of Christina's dress.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXJChbky-bMzpkNuDXx9ooXOJctVP5l1jPEr5sGpLLsupx6OqpOuczdv-Z9KwqVmwnhUzpX1PrGyQlcm__uUFT1WounzPANwJlkmKhyphenhyphendlZbAg0tKjC_xRrtPe0hDXRNNUBUqEuZfkLtc/s1600/DSC00152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXJChbky-bMzpkNuDXx9ooXOJctVP5l1jPEr5sGpLLsupx6OqpOuczdv-Z9KwqVmwnhUzpX1PrGyQlcm__uUFT1WounzPANwJlkmKhyphenhyphendlZbAg0tKjC_xRrtPe0hDXRNNUBUqEuZfkLtc/s320/DSC00152.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She is gonna look like a princess!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8g3yDwikpsSgt4tEg8sX6Fqf8YPwNWHT7gGN5PjEcHp5ptW2onpiDj9yaCPooAuebYJhE6EcS6wDlKkhShfDeaR401qjeaXhCNRpHrOmkU17ZZyjwqKCmub9l3akHr3dDlE5mUZT9_M/s1600/DSC00153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8g3yDwikpsSgt4tEg8sX6Fqf8YPwNWHT7gGN5PjEcHp5ptW2onpiDj9yaCPooAuebYJhE6EcS6wDlKkhShfDeaR401qjeaXhCNRpHrOmkU17ZZyjwqKCmub9l3akHr3dDlE5mUZT9_M/s320/DSC00153.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben writes down our measurements and requests for the dresses.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuemAxy3nE_WydCLnou4TPEiNm-5CpWYwyku6H-HXKCWXc31HoMblkvVJlCgY2ZIe53VsHxk7SFVa45kwXVXtvW5WpGoxLADyTxmZxgms8Z3SfvtXVK2r1uyGTgBDM3kDSO5W-Y5T393E/s1600/DSC00155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuemAxy3nE_WydCLnou4TPEiNm-5CpWYwyku6H-HXKCWXc31HoMblkvVJlCgY2ZIe53VsHxk7SFVa45kwXVXtvW5WpGoxLADyTxmZxgms8Z3SfvtXVK2r1uyGTgBDM3kDSO5W-Y5T393E/s320/DSC00155.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fabric and photos of what we want.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1YiiNjFxR8YUcR1LHred-ns8Z55Q4nBUm0U2jB-aIZY078kHzYaZ7laNZFQzaTXPuWNpY2ngzvlrWFX-4b4MPjcdoHFbNpDuDFhZ5alOkfvwMKnT9znTc-4XljUf_Dgcpx9P_s0nMLs/s1600/dresses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1YiiNjFxR8YUcR1LHred-ns8Z55Q4nBUm0U2jB-aIZY078kHzYaZ7laNZFQzaTXPuWNpY2ngzvlrWFX-4b4MPjcdoHFbNpDuDFhZ5alOkfvwMKnT9znTc-4XljUf_Dgcpx9P_s0nMLs/s320/dresses.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Designs for my dresses.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DRFhWHV8Dx2zFhOMsdj_iIFS6QFI1UiFyZcruyDgFUSZj_lGuP85by-geexGQlvHtXsdAFEI6W-wc2dAwlWk4JidTC_CtrzlN56CQ4OTh_uNAUWT4q5ruus-aEPvdY6vQznVBbHU6MQ/s1600/DSC00156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DRFhWHV8Dx2zFhOMsdj_iIFS6QFI1UiFyZcruyDgFUSZj_lGuP85by-geexGQlvHtXsdAFEI6W-wc2dAwlWk4JidTC_CtrzlN56CQ4OTh_uNAUWT4q5ruus-aEPvdY6vQznVBbHU6MQ/s320/DSC00156.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colorful fabrics decorate the inside of their business.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Our fabric was 10 cedis for 2 yards. It costs 8 cedis for a dress and 5 cedis for a skirt. Total for a tailored dress fabric and all is $9 US. It is unreal. I am so glad I didn't pack a lot of clothes because I fully intend to come home with a new Ghanaian wardrobe. It will be tasty!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11519336264859374549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8157802931119981732.post-63327810470758842342012-09-08T04:30:00.000-07:002012-09-08T05:02:30.219-07:00This is Crazy Chaleeee!This post is meant specifically for you and kicking off your weekend!! Ghana boasts some pretty awesome music inspired by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azonto">Azonto</a>, a catchy dance style. It is relatively easy to learn, but it definitely all lies in your attitude. Unfortunately for me it is something I am working on. I can't say the same for the kids in the communities. They got it going on. BBC even did a special on <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18495493">Azonto</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/GTUIlOudlHI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here are some of my personal favorites:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/oFNd6B83jzQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Fc0z-QAuWhw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/SR5ItzlDhJc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I would love to hear your thoughts on Azonto and the music. It is a lot of fun and highly addictive. I created a playlist on YouTube if you want to explore more, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFNd6B83jzQ&feature=share&list=PLflwBeHEsE0xP1LF_MeyS89cc5Z6qZ0uc">"Life is Tasty."</a> I will send you on your way with one more tune because we all know we need an African man. Hope your weekend is a blast!! Miss you!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/uTqSHhqFOyo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11519336264859374549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8157802931119981732.post-15544458344823779862012-09-04T13:45:00.001-07:002012-09-11T11:16:14.984-07:00The Past Couple of Days!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Man oh man, electricity has not been on our side. For the past 6 days, we lose power. Sometimes it is off and then back on and other times it is 3-4 hours. Last night it was off for 13 hours. We light up some candles that are posted up in the necks of wine bottles. Don't judge us. Christina and I had dinner duty on Sunday. We decided to spice it up with our Latin roots and lay down the law. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowfKEmKSuCONQRA2Hdgj9tnzpreTd4BPcyUzP1J6hc8zAgHzjmhW05dOFKRBmh6fZI05cujEcnH_JtIoO8BJ4E4OC4kAFwk0GJDduRmBdyv07bAGwqDNBvheuo7v5Q4iLPMe7IErwQGA/s1600/P9023176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowfKEmKSuCONQRA2Hdgj9tnzpreTd4BPcyUzP1J6hc8zAgHzjmhW05dOFKRBmh6fZI05cujEcnH_JtIoO8BJ4E4OC4kAFwk0GJDduRmBdyv07bAGwqDNBvheuo7v5Q4iLPMe7IErwQGA/s320/P9023176.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Improvising with a sunscreen and wine bottle as rollers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5UCB9PePvJSFw5BQoVNwFzUWVIpJeYolr-rSJYWS7xppY9kchmYQZ79CFgqutMhfQT4R-IEh7BZgk0tRfjFdRnTY59zxrWm0M4Ol09y6Kx35VhkmF6Z603KmLw7bHWbQcD5FD2JenMo/s1600/P9023177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5UCB9PePvJSFw5BQoVNwFzUWVIpJeYolr-rSJYWS7xppY9kchmYQZ79CFgqutMhfQT4R-IEh7BZgk0tRfjFdRnTY59zxrWm0M4Ol09y6Kx35VhkmF6Z603KmLw7bHWbQcD5FD2JenMo/s320/P9023177.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christina getting down with paper thin tortillas!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfg-gINDdlyuUYvw4eRemhxZR0gfVKDJA5wzYOCjrdyoeihp6Sgo3dLygUHvuLKZQFcLBbvTxH2kU1J6ER1OP2kVxKWO2ZUX78UOZ4bKw6pMNmjZnVIrW7ZLyWl4MCi_Hnx0XLYqsqA4/s1600/P9023178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfg-gINDdlyuUYvw4eRemhxZR0gfVKDJA5wzYOCjrdyoeihp6Sgo3dLygUHvuLKZQFcLBbvTxH2kU1J6ER1OP2kVxKWO2ZUX78UOZ4bKw6pMNmjZnVIrW7ZLyWl4MCi_Hnx0XLYqsqA4/s320/P9023178.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caitlyn manning our cooker which soon turned into a fryer. Fried flour tortillas are soooo gewd. Also, you get a glimpse of our very IMPORTANT kitchen rules.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWxqrquEuubjY5mzGA5mzYEPiMjImPgLDbfhpq1jxEAGiTBxS_pzx8PztoNS2nlBqIH5g27CibxDeyepvfBBJ0BF1jiMIZTI2BjXYo-K5iSuQIBh_l53bF6Z80IedejLiWO9vj8NwaV4/s1600/P9023179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWxqrquEuubjY5mzGA5mzYEPiMjImPgLDbfhpq1jxEAGiTBxS_pzx8PztoNS2nlBqIH5g27CibxDeyepvfBBJ0BF1jiMIZTI2BjXYo-K5iSuQIBh_l53bF6Z80IedejLiWO9vj8NwaV4/s320/P9023179.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautifully colored beans!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKhKyF3fkXz18eZpUk28au0ceul2Zkx3zu7zcFx-KNE0xNGo_WjeGl9fBF0dwghPuSsibU1T8rmx9izhGvtv4gzIrkidx9TZj8e91igEl4eQ0BB-0Lek38w1EVFOmBOyh492zRAm-l0I/s1600/P9023180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKhKyF3fkXz18eZpUk28au0ceul2Zkx3zu7zcFx-KNE0xNGo_WjeGl9fBF0dwghPuSsibU1T8rmx9izhGvtv4gzIrkidx9TZj8e91igEl4eQ0BB-0Lek38w1EVFOmBOyh492zRAm-l0I/s320/P9023180.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Power went out just as the sun went down. Note the awesome candle holders.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3qlJljqwu5Kdcopbed_7GchpJtM93QkCwVItV5JGfx7h6s4AX9X1ZArF5t0Mbuj61n__T1QwwtjuDwczqEp7s0_axNIdjjM2A2_2rhh2GdBaPI47Gy3e5rb_mo0p9N4vAayT9hjzSnY/s1600/P9023181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3qlJljqwu5Kdcopbed_7GchpJtM93QkCwVItV5JGfx7h6s4AX9X1ZArF5t0Mbuj61n__T1QwwtjuDwczqEp7s0_axNIdjjM2A2_2rhh2GdBaPI47Gy3e5rb_mo0p9N4vAayT9hjzSnY/s320/P9023181.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beans! Beans! The magical fruit!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikW_woKB1h590FjXP4Q1m3ZJ7OqDjDjd165N4tY0klHc7olOv8Y_9uumUIIwrpzGq5dSd1F3dNcOuUNNc3-fqx32fOweU0kLt5_VXkF0IJ59HKlEu6XKUgIOfkkgc-mtkNrbBl1K9zjo/s1600/P9023182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikW_woKB1h590FjXP4Q1m3ZJ7OqDjDjd165N4tY0klHc7olOv8Y_9uumUIIwrpzGq5dSd1F3dNcOuUNNc3-fqx32fOweU0kLt5_VXkF0IJ59HKlEu6XKUgIOfkkgc-mtkNrbBl1K9zjo/s320/P9023182.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homemade tortillas galore! I can't wait to make some with you, Bruce!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNRlGiCzq1jW2x5qBsFJB5rHwnCFhbG9B5TK-vsGM_wPlwQRG1HOJ-0VGcUssNDroFBOrPt5_BrFKimii8FbH6CapfqPBEXiA8yh1ZoXnDIA7OiuJo-8HbnMtF2HrG3v9aO9-bnhe8x4/s1600/P9023183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNRlGiCzq1jW2x5qBsFJB5rHwnCFhbG9B5TK-vsGM_wPlwQRG1HOJ-0VGcUssNDroFBOrPt5_BrFKimii8FbH6CapfqPBEXiA8yh1ZoXnDIA7OiuJo-8HbnMtF2HrG3v9aO9-bnhe8x4/s320/P9023183.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh guacamole and pineapple (not shown because I ate it all) accompanied us too!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have been spending more time in the office researching compost toliets, urine diverting toliets, how to use urine in one's garden. This is some serious shit. Pardon the language, but I couldn't help myself (hope you liked that one, Pop). What I mean to say is that we are learning what creative development projects are out there and what our options are for piloting in December when UCLA's Public Health Brigade comes down.<br />
<br />
I have also been working on a baseline survey to introduce to three communities. My current methodology of choice is the <a href="http://www.fao.org/gender/seaga/en/">Socio-Economic Gendered Analysis (SEAGA)</a>. The approach focuses on tools to elicit the participation of men and women from local communities in the development process. For my close pals, you know how important equal participation from all members is to me, particularly women. Often times women's voices are not included in projects for a number of reasons: cultural differences, surveys only include heads of households which tend to be males, women are unable to attend project meetings, or projects are just given to communities without any consideration for any member's input to name a few examples. My time spent in Honduras definitely reflected cultural differences. Men gave their opinions more freely and openly. Women, on the other hand, were shy and often stayed at home when we had our community meetings. If they did attend, they stood to the side and were hesitant to share their experiences. In August 2010, my gender empowerment workshop focused on creating mutual respect and value between men and women and the unique perspectives they offer. Together they have the opportunity to tap into the different roles they have and improve the overall well being of the community. In addition to having a gendered aspect, SEAGA also focuses on socio-economic patterns. It identifies the needs and constraints that different people have. The needs and issues of a wealthier woman won't be the same as a poor, single mother. In Ghana, there is still much that I am not familiar with. I am hoping SEAGA will allow us an introductory understanding so we confidently move forward with communities knowing that we are listening and supporting them as they direct their development.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrQRrOPl593zerZGIAlYrbf1f7jBeukj6RcsjNXO2rt-Wb_ztfulLOmlrts15oHpBveRjnmnEAVneS2qj-gUx4kNAHTVJyIiaiKHqtk-VaMpmbM2yhamUvwOPwlo1Jnb4GLV0oRfsKNY/s1600/P8293158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrQRrOPl593zerZGIAlYrbf1f7jBeukj6RcsjNXO2rt-Wb_ztfulLOmlrts15oHpBveRjnmnEAVneS2qj-gUx4kNAHTVJyIiaiKHqtk-VaMpmbM2yhamUvwOPwlo1Jnb4GLV0oRfsKNY/s320/P8293158.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wednesdays and Saturdays are crazy market days. There is so much to see and smell. It can be overwhelming. So many people want to ask us how we are and what our names are. Obruni is what old and young yell at us. Ghanaians' speak Fante, and in their language it means white person or foreigner.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRHJNXor6HP_hHGwVB8cFlUsgnicA405ZD51o364ipAbIGwwmAp6V6Pgz3wJZ-GcPCAfOxRLapugWubQva0w-Rx12NzWlDQO2DfpFRkiMSt3zWbKEppxTcRZnqBt655C4avnQnP2zcHM/s1600/P8293159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRHJNXor6HP_hHGwVB8cFlUsgnicA405ZD51o364ipAbIGwwmAp6V6Pgz3wJZ-GcPCAfOxRLapugWubQva0w-Rx12NzWlDQO2DfpFRkiMSt3zWbKEppxTcRZnqBt655C4avnQnP2zcHM/s320/P8293159.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo doesn't even begin to show how packed it gets. I am gonna try and show you guys.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqA43OWZVCcFYqsQhCcRvPGG4QSsQFmAvMHprafmmM3PB4FAhr7LjEG7YNulD6WVAIAXVGSzK3jNC3XUefQ-GEC2pJzas-tIa2HlUrv-9tY3UrOa4J7Zh-MSNzMfzgXuzHtwjrQW0t8E/s1600/P8293160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqA43OWZVCcFYqsQhCcRvPGG4QSsQFmAvMHprafmmM3PB4FAhr7LjEG7YNulD6WVAIAXVGSzK3jNC3XUefQ-GEC2pJzas-tIa2HlUrv-9tY3UrOa4J7Zh-MSNzMfzgXuzHtwjrQW0t8E/s320/P8293160.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unreal fabrics! You can get fabric here for $2-3 a yard and then get a tailored dress or skirt for $5. Unreal, I say.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjYtkdBrenAIcHDCY0HyknWEpmz8WMYDaaQL0wae-L3B23pVnWxqI30TBK38uRB04OiR0g7XsOUDz4Xz5X8pMb9nQnPh0VF_N_4TpwnqILoR-QZ6__SBnvla6X7T725VvsGNLASgHx3s/s1600/P8293161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjYtkdBrenAIcHDCY0HyknWEpmz8WMYDaaQL0wae-L3B23pVnWxqI30TBK38uRB04OiR0g7XsOUDz4Xz5X8pMb9nQnPh0VF_N_4TpwnqILoR-QZ6__SBnvla6X7T725VvsGNLASgHx3s/s320/P8293161.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My market guide, Kyle Putnam...I mean Putman. Haha!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIeSFTK0SQ8Y8gEzuXJ9GnkwfLPd_DWWKZoAqeFaMaEz38c5Vp8kwBRpsxfWfC5z5jfIXjIBgvhfi4Wdazn6imoUOf1blIA_MHtLQ2SGP-BYZceD-do3IQwsM8vGaO-uXt6a03w2scbo/s1600/P8293162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIeSFTK0SQ8Y8gEzuXJ9GnkwfLPd_DWWKZoAqeFaMaEz38c5Vp8kwBRpsxfWfC5z5jfIXjIBgvhfi4Wdazn6imoUOf1blIA_MHtLQ2SGP-BYZceD-do3IQwsM8vGaO-uXt6a03w2scbo/s320/P8293162.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of dried fish! They always just stare at me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDzEBcD5deaH3wag_mQHNtDvLsX5pUWAj4vSFkJb05b12oEumk2iBtEFWGtoxYxgypOp2_oA8R8Ie7SD7M5kmCUVuM3jLivYq9J73VlBHFJHRbdB1vK_GDIiUOpB9VgtaO6M2y2H5qPg/s1600/P8293163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDzEBcD5deaH3wag_mQHNtDvLsX5pUWAj4vSFkJb05b12oEumk2iBtEFWGtoxYxgypOp2_oA8R8Ie7SD7M5kmCUVuM3jLivYq9J73VlBHFJHRbdB1vK_GDIiUOpB9VgtaO6M2y2H5qPg/s320/P8293163.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I passed my camera to Kyle to capture a guy carrying one of those huge bags in the background on his head. Instead he got these two cute kids. Kids love Kyle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_ZmDJQDo-idgtnlN2eEuFq8YoG_fr_83zQVNR1rnBlzt7dgcYOATlW1KF9qLUIUAoHBq__PS9XJDz32M09BHA0zKJRgpZKMdNsrVk4uRKoPLV2lRxLN4ep-csJFWzy4jtuHnrI3Mg3c/s1600/P8293164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_ZmDJQDo-idgtnlN2eEuFq8YoG_fr_83zQVNR1rnBlzt7dgcYOATlW1KF9qLUIUAoHBq__PS9XJDz32M09BHA0zKJRgpZKMdNsrVk4uRKoPLV2lRxLN4ep-csJFWzy4jtuHnrI3Mg3c/s320/P8293164.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maize laid out to dry.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5NO0hsMsWlIehgJk3dWo1M7rvczajW47aNAV9zVGR87N5Fx9728rx6mRtPIJwNLzCZ0vnLhgsFQr0xZeu3eVx7p8bM3yTkxcI54jehBix22-zEYA6pitnu5PXGIqMd6FAk30noJZIfU/s1600/P9013165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5NO0hsMsWlIehgJk3dWo1M7rvczajW47aNAV9zVGR87N5Fx9728rx6mRtPIJwNLzCZ0vnLhgsFQr0xZeu3eVx7p8bM3yTkxcI54jehBix22-zEYA6pitnu5PXGIqMd6FAk30noJZIfU/s320/P9013165.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another day I went walking with Christina. This sign was ridiculous! This poor woman doesn't even get to use her name. She is just Officer Sammy's Wife. Bummer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvo5UXOPfLtNOGUunIp3jS34-XKKCf9UWytsVvKjhoZmk2OEwre8Xt6BvUuc4jFCAeBjF67X9gC27D1_aVR7fIL25hyphenhyphen3oaVZLu9xMYb1jK366PDcwfyqQm-x47Uzvdfq7FrlKG5ptFp_o/s1600/P9013166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvo5UXOPfLtNOGUunIp3jS34-XKKCf9UWytsVvKjhoZmk2OEwre8Xt6BvUuc4jFCAeBjF67X9gC27D1_aVR7fIL25hyphenhyphen3oaVZLu9xMYb1jK366PDcwfyqQm-x47Uzvdfq7FrlKG5ptFp_o/s320/P9013166.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got to meet our neighbors at Miracle Fabrics. They invited us right in and let us take photos of their industrial sewing machines. They don't make things like they use to, do they?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg460T5HF_LnUMATtFU4CNAn884S29maqWlxP8jCf2JRHgXHf8g0IUuOEoth48tXc9kGzoeVsBHVRbcc339rd1imDoIln28mnETwAO4n5J6y7NkyZ_kgduTvGl4Pd56Snxj9ebtpqSTfWg/s1600/P9013171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg460T5HF_LnUMATtFU4CNAn884S29maqWlxP8jCf2JRHgXHf8g0IUuOEoth48tXc9kGzoeVsBHVRbcc339rd1imDoIln28mnETwAO4n5J6y7NkyZ_kgduTvGl4Pd56Snxj9ebtpqSTfWg/s320/P9013171.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More neighbors! Christian snaps incredible photos of this guy. We asked what it was for and they said to keep thieves out. Job well done, guys!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntou7eAX-OCcDChieMKOgXVFl2Nw709o2lKqXH-SLg11R-cDM7CuC4NZVhC89b7HukMh2AyPmYH1UOqsfJOZwXsk-YTBz-hp5SO9FXnv1j3L40j_gR-zdCZiowm1_jDlO2S9ZiRP2H9s/s1600/P9013172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntou7eAX-OCcDChieMKOgXVFl2Nw709o2lKqXH-SLg11R-cDM7CuC4NZVhC89b7HukMh2AyPmYH1UOqsfJOZwXsk-YTBz-hp5SO9FXnv1j3L40j_gR-zdCZiowm1_jDlO2S9ZiRP2H9s/s320/P9013172.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last neighbor we met up with was making furniture! Just down the street from us we have seamstresses, blacksmiths, and a furniture maker. It was a make everything from scratch kinda day. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Qx71M7Y7rhwR15HuhuQXl5QKjisTyBx_loGxaxMxkM9aM9_diPIWgvPF8i0voAEQqAJnJ1DSrDx9Bxj-cGoAJGlEcM3sH0KjHW9DkrA8jDsCzOZfU_fHd7EJVbgmDR7W2CFCi0bFQaI/s1600/P9013174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Qx71M7Y7rhwR15HuhuQXl5QKjisTyBx_loGxaxMxkM9aM9_diPIWgvPF8i0voAEQqAJnJ1DSrDx9Bxj-cGoAJGlEcM3sH0KjHW9DkrA8jDsCzOZfU_fHd7EJVbgmDR7W2CFCi0bFQaI/s320/P9013174.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christina and I finally made it into Mankessim by foot and ran into this parade!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30QcrTC-5U89PCf3Jn4n6SPQ9SbTAvZyGV-c3Rc7oy58TIkPnjyaz9vslXoqbIv6W-w8WA40q9x7e_xxukATAhu2V9GpOIfKW0DnSoN3cmKzqtZyNHIa6JOoEBqdjGAURIUHga6zlUV0/s1600/P9013175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30QcrTC-5U89PCf3Jn4n6SPQ9SbTAvZyGV-c3Rc7oy58TIkPnjyaz9vslXoqbIv6W-w8WA40q9x7e_xxukATAhu2V9GpOIfKW0DnSoN3cmKzqtZyNHIa6JOoEBqdjGAURIUHga6zlUV0/s320/P9013175.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We think it was for a chief, but we weren't able to confirm. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I can't believe it is already 4 days into September. Time is going by real quick. (Did you catch that, B?) Come next weekend I will have already been here for a month! I have been good at keeping my momentum and having a great time when I can (which is pretty much all the time). It is starting to feel like home! Don't worry, Mom and Pop, it just feels like it, but I know where I belong. I love you guys and hope you are doing swimmingly well!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11519336264859374549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8157802931119981732.post-49701251758054412222012-08-28T10:43:00.001-07:002012-08-28T11:14:03.082-07:00Kakum National Park!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dximmhQ6TboIs37nRcX6Wua59NsZLlDSIr-oPEnCO4aFjrYwxv9BfNTI-usHGOqM01UNdgubQpabmqJ2uZfnQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe> (Local kids copy every facial expression Christina could think up. She even got them to stick their fingers in their noses and act like their faces were being melted off.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Christina and I tagged along Dalhousie's Cape Coast day. We checked out Kakum National Park and its phenomenal canopy walk. It is pretty darn high, enough to give me a slight sense of vertigo. Luckily, the guide explained that there have been no injuries or death. I felt pretty darn safe.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNb5PgXivxxs3lgHcKknhsR2h4Rwq8fWpZ8YHAEikUepHqeaoFmQaZ2aHdeJvP1LyRG-n5KZvIeuf23kaGEGVyOwrXcqkvqAefmwFytPioKxPbQ_qcBYKXbN4bYwpX8BfDWpasmu8I04/s1600/P8263146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNb5PgXivxxs3lgHcKknhsR2h4Rwq8fWpZ8YHAEikUepHqeaoFmQaZ2aHdeJvP1LyRG-n5KZvIeuf23kaGEGVyOwrXcqkvqAefmwFytPioKxPbQ_qcBYKXbN4bYwpX8BfDWpasmu8I04/s320/P8263146.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking up the rear of Dalhousie with Patrick, GMB Adviser.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZHZit6E8hgkG3TfWpSJbF2gyHtXnbvxDuJBJ6ZTNpVWdHrSYQ66wwquXXOlN31x267uhzZhbE0QievbNYUYZcTVbTEnnvoOoqTTYYHLGl6PFEuUnCFUFSV-8YeJhTd_SqPiUnH7SScc/s1600/P8263148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZHZit6E8hgkG3TfWpSJbF2gyHtXnbvxDuJBJ6ZTNpVWdHrSYQ66wwquXXOlN31x267uhzZhbE0QievbNYUYZcTVbTEnnvoOoqTTYYHLGl6PFEuUnCFUFSV-8YeJhTd_SqPiUnH7SScc/s320/P8263148.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our trek up gets a little steep.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQl4YcdQHav3w__sfFNQIU_AuYda47C210_zlyvAGN3ptHdI4AOKnx8E6MUwB1pNOK2VA5FZW0TCGoKe9tTXp0NoH7h3M626bt6FalOa5HbJEQtPaQ1_1TBLx0lJESEdmbExqWJrua29w/s1600/P8263149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQl4YcdQHav3w__sfFNQIU_AuYda47C210_zlyvAGN3ptHdI4AOKnx8E6MUwB1pNOK2VA5FZW0TCGoKe9tTXp0NoH7h3M626bt6FalOa5HbJEQtPaQ1_1TBLx0lJESEdmbExqWJrua29w/s320/P8263149.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching Christina balance the shaky suspension bridge with one hand!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4GwiuPxa7ZjjA-1w9nQ3JLMO8S76Z2AcykbD9MsHW6ZdBcaOTY3ObEnXKvfXVff4YkWc92imoj0cz87oPXe0FP_YNoV9etm267K86V3EKNDN0yVdrxxhANUSODVq5dDlSI8YfCWuxZCc/s1600/P8263150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4GwiuPxa7ZjjA-1w9nQ3JLMO8S76Z2AcykbD9MsHW6ZdBcaOTY3ObEnXKvfXVff4YkWc92imoj0cz87oPXe0FP_YNoV9etm267K86V3EKNDN0yVdrxxhANUSODVq5dDlSI8YfCWuxZCc/s320/P8263150.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students take in the incredible scenery!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafcHflj5JSpiQHAHsSJWWr4EDeqnA0431BrYtheLY5VioroIFyl5zPbt7bNj4c12Y5VK5OfnwVC6CvZJiaFVw1qAFIzmLABCN5tlcehVUd90NZI4OSZOtE4G63jFF7sYBf_H7lCaq3dA/s1600/P8273151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafcHflj5JSpiQHAHsSJWWr4EDeqnA0431BrYtheLY5VioroIFyl5zPbt7bNj4c12Y5VK5OfnwVC6CvZJiaFVw1qAFIzmLABCN5tlcehVUd90NZI4OSZOtE4G63jFF7sYBf_H7lCaq3dA/s320/P8273151.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking out to pose for a photo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpwKrSeD8KccprR9xjWb2a0MEEmbTmJd6dut5S0JyOs0NO8W0quEhIMG9sDPrx8cNQVGigR7T60UJFHRIZDOzXp5PYwPF9oyAqYrymABuQ-pENJjnsPim0yIjY9PPEyhwNolGrJ6s_4A/s1600/P8273152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpwKrSeD8KccprR9xjWb2a0MEEmbTmJd6dut5S0JyOs0NO8W0quEhIMG9sDPrx8cNQVGigR7T60UJFHRIZDOzXp5PYwPF9oyAqYrymABuQ-pENJjnsPim0yIjY9PPEyhwNolGrJ6s_4A/s320/P8273152.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, I was a little nervous and yes, I am beginning to look like a Chia Pet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglHUsh5dQqGyyCWwLGOo_SXQezce5Zjr9moffi_X9t7TpfN36qMGscm_nXoPJeDxJj5ViWs1_Cm76PQ23wpCLUc8mdygBWAPoVm9PsTfYXDsqL6zQmk-pUjPwyBNbnz-OgEj0sh4vJ27c/s1600/P8273153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglHUsh5dQqGyyCWwLGOo_SXQezce5Zjr9moffi_X9t7TpfN36qMGscm_nXoPJeDxJj5ViWs1_Cm76PQ23wpCLUc8mdygBWAPoVm9PsTfYXDsqL6zQmk-pUjPwyBNbnz-OgEj0sh4vJ27c/s320/P8273153.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are a total of 7 suspension bridges that make up the canopy walk and is 330 meters long. If you are coming out for a visit, I am definitely taking you here!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQ_kQ0fD3XN6TbWXXlqUOnzkit1eqolDGuWKDIG4XHLA6Ivq2RiIjS5w0Izgcg_fF66DBJ_JA-CmSpUJazuoH-rsBxd6PjQevnIPvsYUnXUSpFAr2J-oBFipTUPkbQ-qWdibTS7TeuuA/s1600/P8273154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQ_kQ0fD3XN6TbWXXlqUOnzkit1eqolDGuWKDIG4XHLA6Ivq2RiIjS5w0Izgcg_fF66DBJ_JA-CmSpUJazuoH-rsBxd6PjQevnIPvsYUnXUSpFAr2J-oBFipTUPkbQ-qWdibTS7TeuuA/s320/P8273154.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sides are plenty high so no one has ever fallen over...YET!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8eIW8YGyuGZhq34qObPEDf_i4FZJ3JGc4N4YYUh94aSvLDgO7UhrrNq-U-HAgpXQqaAH8hIJTMq9zWLDji9wQrDjd55G4V5UQxh4RLGcJYcWBPzpOPaz3YngXqTE2GJbafWPm9GAJrM/s1600/P8273155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8eIW8YGyuGZhq34qObPEDf_i4FZJ3JGc4N4YYUh94aSvLDgO7UhrrNq-U-HAgpXQqaAH8hIJTMq9zWLDji9wQrDjd55G4V5UQxh4RLGcJYcWBPzpOPaz3YngXqTE2GJbafWPm9GAJrM/s320/P8273155.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pausing at one of the landings to capture the lush forest. My photos don't do it justice.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tFWnP1zt1ORA3dZqMmSlr8Fo7xxwQ3uKeYEIzX7LB0Dg4Hs2G5_dHhPaZVoFy1v-xHalZ8wtxM0ooJc04Ke7i7PhE4ve9qIxiK9u5fPJJb-3NPlvOuSsX188eXCUHFWDJ28EUBw9tuI/s1600/P8273156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tFWnP1zt1ORA3dZqMmSlr8Fo7xxwQ3uKeYEIzX7LB0Dg4Hs2G5_dHhPaZVoFy1v-xHalZ8wtxM0ooJc04Ke7i7PhE4ve9qIxiK9u5fPJJb-3NPlvOuSsX188eXCUHFWDJ28EUBw9tuI/s320/P8273156.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bruce! This looks like something out of 'Uncharted.' Kept wishing you were here with me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="goog_1070804430"></span><span id="goog_1070804431"></span>Today was an office day well spent despite the power outage we experienced for a couple hours. Also, successfully finished <a href="http://laurahillenbrandbooks.com/">"Unbroken"</a> by Laura Hillenbrand. I highly recommend it. The book has already got a long list of people at the house waiting to take it all in. You won't be disappointed by this incredible true story. I am moving on to read "<a href="http://www.ericgreitens.com/books/the-heart-and-the-fist/">The Heart and the Fist"</a> by Eric Greitens. About humanitarian work, I don't think its timing in my life could be any better. Hope you are enjoying your week! I am thinking of you!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11519336264859374549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8157802931119981732.post-46537324229500837542012-08-26T12:54:00.003-07:002012-08-26T12:54:37.834-07:00Life is Tasty!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
What a Sunday! The house ended the weekend on a relaxing note. Beach trip! Here are some photos from the day.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1z2zZJ3b_GExi1Ju3GlIPeS0nYSLdQgggsQ1zFDQeSKlgT2xf-4ADeBEWOySf8_ievHyZJIU0ykfQC2sMJOIDm0XiABgyql2YJdnFucdho7zQDNy_fp5fplldwFPFMZc4Zw2Qyh93jk/s1600/P8253115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1z2zZJ3b_GExi1Ju3GlIPeS0nYSLdQgggsQ1zFDQeSKlgT2xf-4ADeBEWOySf8_ievHyZJIU0ykfQC2sMJOIDm0XiABgyql2YJdnFucdho7zQDNy_fp5fplldwFPFMZc4Zw2Qyh93jk/s320/P8253115.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So colorful!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPR870FKG2vvLEBRJkL2hbq_u1rjVVD_7e3tepGSFMfqogwj5GATEwM9vs6SQDSAqwupRa91kOLdThMBxshh4QaXBujocO5Rwa4da9K3kLxbRqXPsxL9oKt7fZQF0j4mk8p98hu4i1uE/s1600/P8253116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPR870FKG2vvLEBRJkL2hbq_u1rjVVD_7e3tepGSFMfqogwj5GATEwM9vs6SQDSAqwupRa91kOLdThMBxshh4QaXBujocO5Rwa4da9K3kLxbRqXPsxL9oKt7fZQF0j4mk8p98hu4i1uE/s320/P8253116.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh vegetables galore!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZNAM0Biw4nlp0dX4D2zshdflMlcgD8M4-pxeKChoLz9AvkTWeuabt_cBdgLBf478TIxR-1SwW-7kJgWnLEIQQOJ4DHE2AtXccl_6qyq5ppZqACdCS28PCCsgK-mJFvOHkviC_KrKnFg/s1600/P8253119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZNAM0Biw4nlp0dX4D2zshdflMlcgD8M4-pxeKChoLz9AvkTWeuabt_cBdgLBf478TIxR-1SwW-7kJgWnLEIQQOJ4DHE2AtXccl_6qyq5ppZqACdCS28PCCsgK-mJFvOHkviC_KrKnFg/s320/P8253119.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relaxing!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWC1zzcZ7uR4NRc46KpLRGu_wUpF6lJsZFRERDN6cdsFReJ2Y8OG-QpTVolcb0-1ocXb0c4dSYxI9ymT4oNhu1Nr158dbV9VyEbvi_n3EjS4oAqgCO1cGjJJf1ikS-t3GlHhvqJ3XG50/s1600/P8253118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWC1zzcZ7uR4NRc46KpLRGu_wUpF6lJsZFRERDN6cdsFReJ2Y8OG-QpTVolcb0-1ocXb0c4dSYxI9ymT4oNhu1Nr158dbV9VyEbvi_n3EjS4oAqgCO1cGjJJf1ikS-t3GlHhvqJ3XG50/s320/P8253118.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking it all in!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFkP31K9SAmKXw273SxeHGK1uMmiaUV-NlqXrSjVuXR2YWbEIjZyAee6hyphenhyphenRCu9DbUm1Hwm0w1O31KNJ3vuUsF8yHfp_UDOy9655WHsX0i0EhFPOZPSpLs7CjH0BToz2A153dxaVlkqvog/s1600/P8253120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFkP31K9SAmKXw273SxeHGK1uMmiaUV-NlqXrSjVuXR2YWbEIjZyAee6hyphenhyphenRCu9DbUm1Hwm0w1O31KNJ3vuUsF8yHfp_UDOy9655WHsX0i0EhFPOZPSpLs7CjH0BToz2A153dxaVlkqvog/s320/P8253120.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mountain of flour?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixV6vH2EqPGRzdyMo4WuTMjK_Yo90QIp9UhZEbynZqUdYQqnisdB6mpNRoj9m3ep6F5udAt_7IH8ktT8o7mMxHvlLphvakqZ9wHaOksWLtXZAE1iIqxrj4EP-wow04HcNlQBOydVlKFVw/s1600/P8253121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixV6vH2EqPGRzdyMo4WuTMjK_Yo90QIp9UhZEbynZqUdYQqnisdB6mpNRoj9m3ep6F5udAt_7IH8ktT8o7mMxHvlLphvakqZ9wHaOksWLtXZAE1iIqxrj4EP-wow04HcNlQBOydVlKFVw/s320/P8253121.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tasty Tom is an oil brand and definitely my favorite.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-pmBb6ORk2Tpv40f3tvcmEKnf5ip_lFLGcn0uADGomlIvd4hbmGRXu8mIkMVqcXjbuo6ksQD6e-kPdPgQgJ2wliNSEJDESg9hH5MTv2fSdkMECJu0QJROr9x9pQY4cqB8hUOzTXMYmw/s1600/P8253127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-pmBb6ORk2Tpv40f3tvcmEKnf5ip_lFLGcn0uADGomlIvd4hbmGRXu8mIkMVqcXjbuo6ksQD6e-kPdPgQgJ2wliNSEJDESg9hH5MTv2fSdkMECJu0QJROr9x9pQY4cqB8hUOzTXMYmw/s320/P8253127.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking with Rebecca and Kyle to grab a taxi.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSb9RN4btD0fUXvtFvwLvttVs332m4vHDvjuuWNduK5jjhYLSte_G0EG1DvWfWNnqwer42dO4fybFhOnwypomm3Uufo0gejS2Ah-B80a_jTHSnZyqgNqs0WaOgmQ3TYFjfOY_JZ8aahhg/s1600/P8253123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSb9RN4btD0fUXvtFvwLvttVs332m4vHDvjuuWNduK5jjhYLSte_G0EG1DvWfWNnqwer42dO4fybFhOnwypomm3Uufo0gejS2Ah-B80a_jTHSnZyqgNqs0WaOgmQ3TYFjfOY_JZ8aahhg/s320/P8253123.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In case you were wondering, where shoes are bought and sold.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJowGhTrFe88a9veS8wruKb8Nutd7PHBSuLjbOs2g2T3sBiSl6YuDq_wlVqO-cKjF66oKzw8kR7Ls5r6O_D-NA9QuXF7EG3KolY5csWxyIAM-_xs1CU273WvS0-10QzpUMwQLQTI5WWfE/s1600/P8253124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJowGhTrFe88a9veS8wruKb8Nutd7PHBSuLjbOs2g2T3sBiSl6YuDq_wlVqO-cKjF66oKzw8kR7Ls5r6O_D-NA9QuXF7EG3KolY5csWxyIAM-_xs1CU273WvS0-10QzpUMwQLQTI5WWfE/s320/P8253124.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy had a more visually appealing set up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4ZWeEv6UNWHDTwErOnEt5yO2L_G20BFWNbFe_V3vfyR9qpfvx0EdEs-boRUxQ7MLf42QYu5vmsPmL94lu0_6wiqlDeb3b8TvoSXM1MciJki9fx-kq59dV1AZ-OnPUSzkloFensrROII/s1600/P8253122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4ZWeEv6UNWHDTwErOnEt5yO2L_G20BFWNbFe_V3vfyR9qpfvx0EdEs-boRUxQ7MLf42QYu5vmsPmL94lu0_6wiqlDeb3b8TvoSXM1MciJki9fx-kq59dV1AZ-OnPUSzkloFensrROII/s320/P8253122.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Choices, choices!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MnqxkmqnYg7XDyl6brmLo8j_vL26uFh_fG5egu1q0r64rns2ENee5CeH8PBSj3M2t4gcC9usk7WpEaJ7uZCC3yGqZp1e5Odf51gO2Jf_sll-NVUYqQ86oas9NGvDqQ_JkPimCY7rdV4/s1600/P8253128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MnqxkmqnYg7XDyl6brmLo8j_vL26uFh_fG5egu1q0r64rns2ENee5CeH8PBSj3M2t4gcC9usk7WpEaJ7uZCC3yGqZp1e5Odf51gO2Jf_sll-NVUYqQ86oas9NGvDqQ_JkPimCY7rdV4/s320/P8253128.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the tro (taxi van)! It cost 70 pesewas which is 35 cents!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYMhz-wwUiNOK4kwmwWLSsPF8G_KbToXjPSzv7ahCm-adZhVc1Q1C8dfpvG7e_-axIMIf7GV1xcNAEvdGg30-okhpZeeHpJqPiAROu-C59Jz63Ad-eR51yePFc2139YMeFJRZ8_gn5ik/s1600/P8263129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYMhz-wwUiNOK4kwmwWLSsPF8G_KbToXjPSzv7ahCm-adZhVc1Q1C8dfpvG7e_-axIMIf7GV1xcNAEvdGg30-okhpZeeHpJqPiAROu-C59Jz63Ad-eR51yePFc2139YMeFJRZ8_gn5ik/s320/P8263129.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We make it to <a href="http://anomabo2.digitafrica.com/">Anomab</a>o!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_YQSAOkwHCc4UHmbWav4Rhb6VIo1yej96CzZA289WJhK37kGgD-49gWD5i8-ZfYL2qnfnFVsIQseYzhj2B3rcJVrtcLCMBgdyvraCrVULr8du-p-pElFTl5z12023f8OXASnKCXKEh4/s1600/P8263131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_YQSAOkwHCc4UHmbWav4Rhb6VIo1yej96CzZA289WJhK37kGgD-49gWD5i8-ZfYL2qnfnFVsIQseYzhj2B3rcJVrtcLCMBgdyvraCrVULr8du-p-pElFTl5z12023f8OXASnKCXKEh4/s320/P8263131.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brigaders enjoy the beautiful beach!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8wkzpih97JhtG2OjIuNczNiP67w41SpbMcniJPqxqJ6hd392FFlRsF_B3MFnNx4UceDWzYV3fKp6vRnGNmihLsuU4cyRnK11q3TyKUcNvyaQW9esLxlkf-9AxthrqD7xiLlnyh6sYbj4/s1600/P8263132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8wkzpih97JhtG2OjIuNczNiP67w41SpbMcniJPqxqJ6hd392FFlRsF_B3MFnNx4UceDWzYV3fKp6vRnGNmihLsuU4cyRnK11q3TyKUcNvyaQW9esLxlkf-9AxthrqD7xiLlnyh6sYbj4/s320/P8263132.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christina and I stayed a little longer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCfo7AqbfXGpQ6xa9CUYcdp7GabI6CaXur2NJ2j8851hbjORXtXDRk79sNf0l6GIfMElOoerTmnXQJzf7TN8NPkZwk6Knx1YQAv7aV3vKZkAGXZUvu9lBc1y4kHCJDrDhlKkEQQH2boc/s1600/P8263134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCfo7AqbfXGpQ6xa9CUYcdp7GabI6CaXur2NJ2j8851hbjORXtXDRk79sNf0l6GIfMElOoerTmnXQJzf7TN8NPkZwk6Knx1YQAv7aV3vKZkAGXZUvu9lBc1y4kHCJDrDhlKkEQQH2boc/s320/P8263134.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catching the sunset on the way home!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjg7UpwkUDMI-mdBafFZgoXgaZkKs7Jj2EbUUiUr7_m1Mhhqofs-y4ZBs5rQSJpYyoIpv4LknUQYt19RS4B7TmaTQmUVuHVH08kdnrAEuZF7HyDZJxBP4RS2S8S7jRSDqQojoEx_DH5hY/s1600/P8263135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjg7UpwkUDMI-mdBafFZgoXgaZkKs7Jj2EbUUiUr7_m1Mhhqofs-y4ZBs5rQSJpYyoIpv4LknUQYt19RS4B7TmaTQmUVuHVH08kdnrAEuZF7HyDZJxBP4RS2S8S7jRSDqQojoEx_DH5hY/s320/P8263135.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool looking Guiness ad.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCnZe2RQs-4818ftun5eO28uVLavhFWL4qtBdOUAa3F55wK_E5fKdUmeTi1419vClLBLUvBtkkEUtGjKMM4_h0JjW8SPGMDwxPsZW5gvbIO_jq2GiHtUTeCg6erms3xrTLi28qQ2GqWE/s1600/P8263136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCnZe2RQs-4818ftun5eO28uVLavhFWL4qtBdOUAa3F55wK_E5fKdUmeTi1419vClLBLUvBtkkEUtGjKMM4_h0JjW8SPGMDwxPsZW5gvbIO_jq2GiHtUTeCg6erms3xrTLi28qQ2GqWE/s320/P8263136.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pass this building A LOT and finally got to snap a photo of it. Immediately after taking this I got scolded t and then a woman demanded that I pay for the photo. Luckily, some kids came to the rescue and told us I didn't have to pay and on our way we went.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikfGxsVwBb1GhJydEOZXCtVlwh2r9Fj5xQpQ9tpF-Nl0tQI10RfvFJZr8xfo94kkLbTsbwWmvZo-s6tA4_la8OsPtWVrO_7-bapcWbgvvxhTDSHtk1KSe8-nRsFRhFgtCiAhtIzehN5rc/s1600/P8263138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikfGxsVwBb1GhJydEOZXCtVlwh2r9Fj5xQpQ9tpF-Nl0tQI10RfvFJZr8xfo94kkLbTsbwWmvZo-s6tA4_la8OsPtWVrO_7-bapcWbgvvxhTDSHtk1KSe8-nRsFRhFgtCiAhtIzehN5rc/s320/P8263138.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hilarious barber shop signs!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Z7zzAuYgk_gabo63e6GhykgEJ-MR5oEbG891IJacM9XV70xKcsfsGX9OePVnSdFwnTcVi5YF-ZcvE4DeOuYPWeFM8RdIqTfj0dNMEPjSsrHMznYLXhwPpeddqAeIEpQcMgwbzr98xSk/s1600/P8263141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Z7zzAuYgk_gabo63e6GhykgEJ-MR5oEbG891IJacM9XV70xKcsfsGX9OePVnSdFwnTcVi5YF-ZcvE4DeOuYPWeFM8RdIqTfj0dNMEPjSsrHMznYLXhwPpeddqAeIEpQcMgwbzr98xSk/s320/P8263141.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How not to take care of your community.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZf7prSweQhBqqotHE9AWVZoLrbO3K9TjIO9PDTWEmmaLdfrFh5InlUIkPE8sdnXMUcFyV5FSMuIqp9FdmD6UCrzloqbOCfyBhku-f6cBK_KFcizgPrprBMRSvC58EC3dOjDnOoqv1bk4/s1600/P8263143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZf7prSweQhBqqotHE9AWVZoLrbO3K9TjIO9PDTWEmmaLdfrFh5InlUIkPE8sdnXMUcFyV5FSMuIqp9FdmD6UCrzloqbOCfyBhku-f6cBK_KFcizgPrprBMRSvC58EC3dOjDnOoqv1bk4/s320/P8263143.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fufu! Super popular dish in Ghana. It is casava and plantains boiled and mashed up. It is very thick and difficult to swallow. I have heard that it fills you up so you can take fewer meals. Unfortunately, it lacks vitamins and nutrients.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsH5KdcL1sYWlLmhCXksnONip463oetTO4NjRml6eEDvklhdVp0a1xnDhRSH-mGdYvcs55pZ747TuMAxn30XqdsZRRe2aNu6lXnJpM5CUtSjYzAqYPdTyltUEmtNe-bM0pvC2ibQ5AeE/s1600/P8263144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsH5KdcL1sYWlLmhCXksnONip463oetTO4NjRml6eEDvklhdVp0a1xnDhRSH-mGdYvcs55pZ747TuMAxn30XqdsZRRe2aNu6lXnJpM5CUtSjYzAqYPdTyltUEmtNe-bM0pvC2ibQ5AeE/s320/P8263144.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I loved this barber shop ad!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-rcF5_xPzWhJlKFRRTKuTaZEFFR3lZs6bEj_FFJoeV-l0ZWNmZ7p_jMF72MifGfAZD_6m2dvZ2jyh9zsb_joqRcSJFzXd06XN9XKuTHEokUSF_bnRRhT5O5_7X24Q7ODf75fNr5wvk8/s1600/P8263145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-rcF5_xPzWhJlKFRRTKuTaZEFFR3lZs6bEj_FFJoeV-l0ZWNmZ7p_jMF72MifGfAZD_6m2dvZ2jyh9zsb_joqRcSJFzXd06XN9XKuTHEokUSF_bnRRhT5O5_7X24Q7ODf75fNr5wvk8/s320/P8263145.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mosque near the house. It looked amazing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I am kicking off the week with a canopy walk and a visit to the slave castle in Cape Coast! Expect some great photos. I also have the honor of cooking dinner for everyone tomorrow night. Here is to hoping it comes out tasty and there is plenty to go around. Hope you had an amazing Sunday!<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11519336264859374549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8157802931119981732.post-71370025081526304432012-08-25T12:39:00.000-07:002012-08-28T11:14:11.527-07:00My First Week in the Communities!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz5Hqh4UQc-VC9uJpjOVgQfDAz_hoKM5g9SOx9BTGYDMnFQixrPniBGF7XMekMbyU7z7TNJWwy4L2GjZEvujw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Here is a quick photo share of the amazing work I witnessed in the communities during my first week. Enjoy!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJeGt0Oqnbs2JIjte9ql6RQXL61vH7sTAk3-aDBjPgMYGDHV6hbhGMT5laJtni3iDI605cxMY5gDEaCQLYM4UHYx9Q_MRfXePNuuc9ZkJH4SeBQNfwq0CcX1qpQUwR1fijZ5qFKrRJDLQ/s1600/P8203073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJeGt0Oqnbs2JIjte9ql6RQXL61vH7sTAk3-aDBjPgMYGDHV6hbhGMT5laJtni3iDI605cxMY5gDEaCQLYM4UHYx9Q_MRfXePNuuc9ZkJH4SeBQNfwq0CcX1qpQUwR1fijZ5qFKrRJDLQ/s320/P8203073.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Community members line up to receive their medications. Also, note the huge tanks! That is one of our rainwater harvesting systems.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fPkDB33Fi_adYTF_GSiprTR-MVwDHv7Ix1eUrbCYnx73C_lLWizchJ1yGO6TPx8tTWQd15eEs_uc0xxoLF4V35GvwMWsMdDb8d9CL7P2Chkz59vPBHaH6tCeklVCD3uHf8soY6a5xsw/s1600/P8203074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fPkDB33Fi_adYTF_GSiprTR-MVwDHv7Ix1eUrbCYnx73C_lLWizchJ1yGO6TPx8tTWQd15eEs_uc0xxoLF4V35GvwMWsMdDb8d9CL7P2Chkz59vPBHaH6tCeklVCD3uHf8soY6a5xsw/s320/P8203074.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cute girl!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHwjo2jXrwi21weq2PJBpDbMa3SR9kPyPGOh2TGjQPizu0RbSYu-cM__VUlvhjxaC5AVqdxpxNCdjRRaIpEAc2t5JYIJjpmqrucZm29HLH6tTjCVCYyQpi1pBjPEFwJuSUXNvs9vaU18/s1600/P8203075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHwjo2jXrwi21weq2PJBpDbMa3SR9kPyPGOh2TGjQPizu0RbSYu-cM__VUlvhjxaC5AVqdxpxNCdjRRaIpEAc2t5JYIJjpmqrucZm29HLH6tTjCVCYyQpi1pBjPEFwJuSUXNvs9vaU18/s320/P8203075.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boys fighting to get their photo taken.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yILrYlz1NOHLPQb_U61VlouT4OemcIoM1UO61l7MGEMVfVO4D_-P3nhjKcM2CZ7IpOM1qgp_2uNic8-HCJTZ4lylkqzITv5Jw-8HRQuKUgYmMyPdzYBVR9pctL8e-tAaU9yd1cyU9GI/s1600/P8203076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yILrYlz1NOHLPQb_U61VlouT4OemcIoM1UO61l7MGEMVfVO4D_-P3nhjKcM2CZ7IpOM1qgp_2uNic8-HCJTZ4lylkqzITv5Jw-8HRQuKUgYmMyPdzYBVR9pctL8e-tAaU9yd1cyU9GI/s320/P8203076.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dalhousie dental students show to brush properly. I am going to be a pro master at teeth brushing by the end of the year.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-TDAq-MAbyqU5f0EkBws8xNx4w5V2KStfE8Tk9B4BBviryGeBbxQoMgg3yVpC2hD_Bb5xcM12LBozcW7IqdBI1PlUgCfEEEEW8zFyg0i9IUgkQD2dWErWZXWs0ud59HtFkme8b04nvGM/s1600/P8203081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-TDAq-MAbyqU5f0EkBws8xNx4w5V2KStfE8Tk9B4BBviryGeBbxQoMgg3yVpC2hD_Bb5xcM12LBozcW7IqdBI1PlUgCfEEEEW8zFyg0i9IUgkQD2dWErWZXWs0ud59HtFkme8b04nvGM/s320/P8203081.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids show off their stickers and teeth brushing tracking sheets.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivg5hPT9Xp1z7ZslGOcissOMZGLgcBy4e9q0MNw2WGANPKGUEHz0EDfU5NGaCAlg87lDztkwxIO5BfzNG0yvLPDhkp_jYJcvAc62eOWCP4j7YIypibVaCYi-IxW8k1WKA2OiIWVhJKdb4/s1600/P8213083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivg5hPT9Xp1z7ZslGOcissOMZGLgcBy4e9q0MNw2WGANPKGUEHz0EDfU5NGaCAlg87lDztkwxIO5BfzNG0yvLPDhkp_jYJcvAc62eOWCP4j7YIypibVaCYi-IxW8k1WKA2OiIWVhJKdb4/s320/P8213083.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First try of street food. Fried rice and fried chicken! I am addicted to the fried chicken in Ghana.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDQogE53etC5nl3R17IDvpKFsuEy9eNS_-eH0PPVrXNsKXkBk-Bjb-MZbFkwoCF1hfg2CgapsHBYE4lDULwU7VDBhZJoFTaOtfv6ldHGHTuUlDer_rhxKH5a2HMJf_DAk4txq0dG37CA/s1600/P8213084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDQogE53etC5nl3R17IDvpKFsuEy9eNS_-eH0PPVrXNsKXkBk-Bjb-MZbFkwoCF1hfg2CgapsHBYE4lDULwU7VDBhZJoFTaOtfv6ldHGHTuUlDer_rhxKH5a2HMJf_DAk4txq0dG37CA/s320/P8213084.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christina and I step out for a beer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPAm_q32dOxluJ8BfVL_jsAnxN1FXm5ktgo6KrXq4_koqDtJpVBX5U0a93kGnrJ9j66hM_tSqQF9j_eGWUjYmBqcTfrCQi2dXtimVLvccAqmc5xGRAVRE2yhjHUj1JYppnBJbbAK1UcjQ/s1600/P8213085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPAm_q32dOxluJ8BfVL_jsAnxN1FXm5ktgo6KrXq4_koqDtJpVBX5U0a93kGnrJ9j66hM_tSqQF9j_eGWUjYmBqcTfrCQi2dXtimVLvccAqmc5xGRAVRE2yhjHUj1JYppnBJbbAK1UcjQ/s320/P8213085.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then cows came home.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqFFbRmwTUq3YdYNc0dtzhyLM2zXmuEVdPiLFyDysjCUttVxAV2RDKyA44mfFwfkMzn_SOb1Uw7mBzO7tKkPG08BnhH8p1VTVAZIXCzABFneNgTeVcZxJfnplgOH4OOx5XkLrfoIOFzM/s1600/P8223086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqFFbRmwTUq3YdYNc0dtzhyLM2zXmuEVdPiLFyDysjCUttVxAV2RDKyA44mfFwfkMzn_SOb1Uw7mBzO7tKkPG08BnhH8p1VTVAZIXCzABFneNgTeVcZxJfnplgOH4OOx5XkLrfoIOFzM/s320/P8223086.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kings discusses malaria prevention and treatment, nutrition, and exercises.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JP7SCRFcVSU0dNYKsPuMZjk1_BRzRg_g6YHgX9VORdYXkD8YWZ73pXAO1fku0OVox7bzMq_U9I5X5Ha4fbMQKi8vs-gttbBn4TRk5D8HJtgMEgpr7rflxM802dISShok-_j0GcMoUeo/s1600/P8223087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JP7SCRFcVSU0dNYKsPuMZjk1_BRzRg_g6YHgX9VORdYXkD8YWZ73pXAO1fku0OVox7bzMq_U9I5X5Ha4fbMQKi8vs-gttbBn4TRk5D8HJtgMEgpr7rflxM802dISShok-_j0GcMoUeo/s320/P8223087.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sisters at our Public Health station.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6cNSdSYFUy1iAJffuoojUyKzbTNXEZVK95q5-ZGKak9DrwhFStlvH1Ce7-hZA-sgiFP7tOlcSA-9DBFI2KnX6bDtUB5y9tj9-7wSe-a7EnHLAYHYsWv65DE8H40hgIEO-t8Fy5YfPOc/s1600/P8223091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6cNSdSYFUy1iAJffuoojUyKzbTNXEZVK95q5-ZGKak9DrwhFStlvH1Ce7-hZA-sgiFP7tOlcSA-9DBFI2KnX6bDtUB5y9tj9-7wSe-a7EnHLAYHYsWv65DE8H40hgIEO-t8Fy5YfPOc/s320/P8223091.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What not to do.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOBy0JarrW2fODyQDCoSTa9oabaKUVeFyH3UgW6lLZykvKOTqN94GonewBH9q6B8up9OSF9P7Pnl8rOK1z5vP8FHqRd8oxqlp8CsDFB9TekxxaVbhlIhNw3kZ-Xv7PcplniwzRiq_t0rs/s1600/P8223092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOBy0JarrW2fODyQDCoSTa9oabaKUVeFyH3UgW6lLZykvKOTqN94GonewBH9q6B8up9OSF9P7Pnl8rOK1z5vP8FHqRd8oxqlp8CsDFB9TekxxaVbhlIhNw3kZ-Xv7PcplniwzRiq_t0rs/s320/P8223092.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People line to see a doctor. Some folks came as far as Ivory Coast. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvEGXBSNU8eObSWSAl3ojpda05kD-MGy8eLsjHpufQfox_czKXGwcXLGwD_Ql4YFN6qf2f-xTjBubTP-5p89YhET778lV2ytk1A5eKELOKMIz1yVniiZpTfx27RdniBSZ35nME9VqR78/s1600/P8223094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvEGXBSNU8eObSWSAl3ojpda05kD-MGy8eLsjHpufQfox_czKXGwcXLGwD_Ql4YFN6qf2f-xTjBubTP-5p89YhET778lV2ytk1A5eKELOKMIz1yVniiZpTfx27RdniBSZ35nME9VqR78/s320/P8223094.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made a friend while observing!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJL2EDjmi-s6MxrX3EgEGKv7NdruSjcvnOvzw-24qPd9uG9zM_Vx-rz9dGKsUjmgJKeiyjLX3obezCyvMQK8k0Bxmu2KIm0YZhH1rT1jKXA1HYc55fWwZdWSYYqyeCBdXBNtKnArXj5M/s1600/P8223095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJL2EDjmi-s6MxrX3EgEGKv7NdruSjcvnOvzw-24qPd9uG9zM_Vx-rz9dGKsUjmgJKeiyjLX3obezCyvMQK8k0Bxmu2KIm0YZhH1rT1jKXA1HYc55fWwZdWSYYqyeCBdXBNtKnArXj5M/s320/P8223095.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dental students remove a decaying tooth.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsohWIOvvSxDuwhcqyc53l1nwZNnFPQEllzf66kVxY4TaZ5tn65nMaK1avcpO_wQ6qEtbDMEvPDZyYtpc3KFl5MVt7V43JyuYi0DyM0LVm02s2HeZFvmLyjj8bvPT_DtZloTP6UK3lUfc/s1600/P8223099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsohWIOvvSxDuwhcqyc53l1nwZNnFPQEllzf66kVxY4TaZ5tn65nMaK1avcpO_wQ6qEtbDMEvPDZyYtpc3KFl5MVt7V43JyuYi0DyM0LVm02s2HeZFvmLyjj8bvPT_DtZloTP6UK3lUfc/s320/P8223099.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful babies!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11519336264859374549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8157802931119981732.post-57037314320766221122012-08-25T11:37:00.000-07:002012-08-25T12:43:30.974-07:00Akwaaba to Ghana!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
HI! My first week living in Ghana is officially behind me. To be honest, I am still adjusting to the fact that I am going to be here for an entire year. Part of me feels I will going home soon, but this is just the beginning.<br />
<br />
I would like to introduce you to the Global Brigades (GB) house! It is located outside of Mankessim, roughly two and a half hours from Accra. The house thankfully has 3 functioning bikes. Some mornings we have yoga sessions in the courtyard and others go on runs. I have been diligent about getting a ride in every day except today.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczbcnmh8F7Uu-OIqioL2svqSkYUVatn1Au85UOeSOVSsDD0mg1KzHAY9gTjsDLOGQ6t-h1Xpfq4DpcGWFCMw5MPJP1xW1HgNF7fPtD9O6-78d0voNUhsqHMq3O2EVp2Ude2oFGA_HYKs/s1600/P8253110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczbcnmh8F7Uu-OIqioL2svqSkYUVatn1Au85UOeSOVSsDD0mg1KzHAY9gTjsDLOGQ6t-h1Xpfq4DpcGWFCMw5MPJP1xW1HgNF7fPtD9O6-78d0voNUhsqHMq3O2EVp2Ude2oFGA_HYKs/s320/P8253110.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our house!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our office is also located at the house. Every morning we sign in at 9:00 AM and we get cracking. The past week I have been out to 3 communities with 3 different Medical Brigades. My goal was to observe their Public Health Stations and the door-to-door follow ups they do on their last day. Loyola (Chicago), Kings (London), and Dalhousie (Halifax) did incredible work.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoL6yeMGl9Ugqbye801-JEvSYmExJ430EokPPCCqsZWYxldgTryiT08fYVdBKyzk4tTw1atFM-r_j_6Qko-U5IAlGgln_qtPM8qadnNHhePow_qMQrOMhiO0D7e2udZsDgl61nXue9m_o/s1600/P8253109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoL6yeMGl9Ugqbye801-JEvSYmExJ430EokPPCCqsZWYxldgTryiT08fYVdBKyzk4tTw1atFM-r_j_6Qko-U5IAlGgln_qtPM8qadnNHhePow_qMQrOMhiO0D7e2udZsDgl61nXue9m_o/s320/P8253109.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The office!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Highlight of the house is the attic. It is where we chill out and occasionally do yoga. It was recently cleaned and set up anew. Pretty fancy!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdGAWV62AcZBKmZ9eKF77Ym1-rsEJb3XMOzv8MlND4FBTbBfGxhz-roWw3qR6UxMBsYmvpefTQNI1tVs9hnYUqp_Kmqp2GnQylG_kIa4gLVMFEBYVUGxK2lAqyUEEeItupSZ6g8tYShg/s1600/P8253108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdGAWV62AcZBKmZ9eKF77Ym1-rsEJb3XMOzv8MlND4FBTbBfGxhz-roWw3qR6UxMBsYmvpefTQNI1tVs9hnYUqp_Kmqp2GnQylG_kIa4gLVMFEBYVUGxK2lAqyUEEeItupSZ6g8tYShg/s320/P8253108.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The attic!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<div>
I share a room with 2 other ladies, Caitlyn & Rebecca. Our room is located on the second floor of the house. Caitlyn is our architect for the Campus of Holistic Development (CHD) that is being built to house brigaders. Currently, students stay at Weda and Fair Hill, centrally located "hotels." Here is some information about the <a href="http://www.globalbrigades.org/wp-content/themes/Bridge/images//Construction-Administration-and-Sustainability-Technician.pdf">CHD</a> if you are curious. Rebecca is the advisor for Water Brigades and soooo much more! I met her back in May when I first came to Ghana. For me, she played a big role in my decision to return. As you can see we use mosquito nets and they have been pretty helpful. Only got a few bites and have not had to use repellent yet.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_saivFfzj77MFYkCy-BeWyaqC9LGfO-NY0sjtIT6juQ7FVtcHWZrmRTJtvrrtleL76bvATd4eD9YoGRR1_2rRsOVZn9JU8W6wgyMydQd2m4Smo7n3OPLQAgajXFuicor7mJg7b7nnDc/s1600/P8253106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_saivFfzj77MFYkCy-BeWyaqC9LGfO-NY0sjtIT6juQ7FVtcHWZrmRTJtvrrtleL76bvATd4eD9YoGRR1_2rRsOVZn9JU8W6wgyMydQd2m4Smo7n3OPLQAgajXFuicor7mJg7b7nnDc/s320/P8253106.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home Sweet Home!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Right now the house does not have running water, so using the bathroom requires some planning and it kinda gets a little stinky. We carry buckets of water up every day so we can do our daily washing. There is a second house in the back that has running water where we can shower and cook.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfgE3BcKip0ZcqVNx6DXO2Kc6fXkpPT5Vo_-cdM3JozOtp03Q4xW1bp0W9QUpnbDTzn9qDrP6K9hlCzISr7R2B4w0E3MKaCw92A1hh5E3EpTxinseH-wgNpLlJkbxzfgBNl1B2pbXfJ4/s1600/P8253107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfgE3BcKip0ZcqVNx6DXO2Kc6fXkpPT5Vo_-cdM3JozOtp03Q4xW1bp0W9QUpnbDTzn9qDrP6K9hlCzISr7R2B4w0E3MKaCw92A1hh5E3EpTxinseH-wgNpLlJkbxzfgBNl1B2pbXfJ4/s320/P8253107.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bathroom!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
I guess at some point there was a wall between the houses, but someone decided that it should come down. Great idea especially when dinner is ready!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidl56PqC-kj6gMPLojNphubp6EIIEtf0H5YNZv10JqRmFVYHEE5sDbM2xsFkfEHRzeWNSHdocSmNGXrk_8WN2mnvAEJONekmA9YfIN1SV2ML8z-d3R1pHmTVK-WLP8UW8NCwrci8FXIeg/s1600/P8253111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidl56PqC-kj6gMPLojNphubp6EIIEtf0H5YNZv10JqRmFVYHEE5sDbM2xsFkfEHRzeWNSHdocSmNGXrk_8WN2mnvAEJONekmA9YfIN1SV2ML8z-d3R1pHmTVK-WLP8UW8NCwrci8FXIeg/s320/P8253111.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting to the back house!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Right now there are 10 of us living here and we share cooking and the grocery shopping among ourselves. Food gets eaten here so quick. Partially because it is super organic and actually rots in a couple of days and because there are so many of us. A thing of ice cream was devoured in 15 minutes, if that. And if you are thinking about sending a care package, please send food! I miss hot cheetos, sriracha, cheese, dark chocolate, tortillas, pizza. Oh geez, just thinking about all that stuff makes my mouth water. Bruce, I want to personally thank you for taking me to some DEEEE-licious places before I left. Those memories are keeping me going! My address is: P.O. Box 93, Mankessim, Ghana. THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jccSUac6aL98gI-DGznQMTYi4DiSVnUlVQ9ZON5OOWJJ_tG5nMl15aqjlBIgnKCEAwwWPTUhLC_z0L8iFsvihh9HhYIW84qoCNvt174hlsL67pfEchwh9VElZCtcC1qgDA5Vu4oaSn8/s1600/P8253114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jccSUac6aL98gI-DGznQMTYi4DiSVnUlVQ9ZON5OOWJJ_tG5nMl15aqjlBIgnKCEAwwWPTUhLC_z0L8iFsvihh9HhYIW84qoCNvt174hlsL67pfEchwh9VElZCtcC1qgDA5Vu4oaSn8/s320/P8253114.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our kitchen!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our fridge is a joke compared to the ones back in the states. Oh the luxuries we are fortunate to have!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCD42cfYWzYhMdH7a0usJczjOFNFfy1Skr1PfFJxisIyY39F9V9tOPnfE3Rje_F07YIRVEv5cKTqCn9NOZeKFmFB08vMfckXPII7J4y9dHA52FDA-0c48Zx_jPw4M3kBXIwoOjCju6TY8/s1600/P8253113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCD42cfYWzYhMdH7a0usJczjOFNFfy1Skr1PfFJxisIyY39F9V9tOPnfE3Rje_F07YIRVEv5cKTqCn9NOZeKFmFB08vMfckXPII7J4y9dHA52FDA-0c48Zx_jPw4M3kBXIwoOjCju6TY8/s320/P8253113.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby fridge!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you are wondering where everyone is because no one is in any of the photos it's because they were either napping or out in Aboano, a community we work in. Last night we went to Salt Pond's festival. It was ridiculous. We danced and drank and ran into interpreters that work for GB. Our accoutant, Aikens, made sure to show us a good time. Azonto is a popular dance style in Ghana that is really fun. It is my sincere hope to come home and somehow be good at it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/GTUIlOudlHI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div>
<br />
<div>
<div>
So now that you know where I am staying and what it kinda looks like you are probably asking yourself what I am doing here. Well, I finally found out! As Program Developer for Public Health, my goals are pretty straightforward.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>Improve Medical Brigades' Public Health station.</li>
<li>Provide support to Water and Medical Brigades in their work with selling <a href="http://www.vestergaard-frandsen.com/lifestraw/lifestraw">Life Straws</a>, filters that remove bacteria and parasites from water.</li>
<li>Improve the follow up conducted at door-to-door.</li>
<li>Ultimately, develop 10 day Public Health Brigade.</li>
</ol>
<div>
While it is pretty clear what I am to do the work all lies in the HOW. In the next month, I am working on having a comprehensive understanding of Public Health in Ghana as well as in Central America. I am researching project ideas with Kyle and Rachel for a UCLA brigade that is coming in December. Kyle and Rach are advisers for Medical and are super excited to help out. I am couldn't be more pleased to be working with them and to have their input. </div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am really excited because I have the opportunity to put the knowledge I gained while piloting gender empowerment workshops in Honduras. I definitely learned quite a bit about engaging community members, facilitating discussions about change, and empowering others to take ownership of their well being. I am a little rusty, but I think in a month's time we are going to have a wealth of knowledge at our disposal. And thankfully, I can share all that I am learning and doing with YOU! I miss you and can't wait to see you when I visit in February. I hope we keep in touch until then. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAv4RZrynPpPnpmeuqV1DlL3IcIkTDBkp0HC_foTli4EIlEuO8WUZeELIY_nYye8DCjSVdACktcDYzLbIzO4Ber6cwMtNsqmHCZbz3G5k-dUVrUCC2nV5L0GgrMl4PwRMGGi15d2mRc58/s1600/P8253105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAv4RZrynPpPnpmeuqV1DlL3IcIkTDBkp0HC_foTli4EIlEuO8WUZeELIY_nYye8DCjSVdACktcDYzLbIzO4Ber6cwMtNsqmHCZbz3G5k-dUVrUCC2nV5L0GgrMl4PwRMGGi15d2mRc58/s320/P8253105.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My view as I write to you.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11519336264859374549noreply@blogger.com2Mankessim, Ghana5.2693302 -1.01830415.2673537 -1.0207716 5.2713066999999993 -1.0158365999999999