End of Kumasi

Hello All!

In the internet cafe with some intense Christian Rock music playing in the background. Tonight we have a dance performance and mini party where our host families are invited for fan ice and kabobs after - should be really ridiculous and awesome. Since we have been here I have experienced so many things and have become so desensitized to so many things as well - like the herd of cattle crossing the four lane highway, the goats I watch out the window as I take tests, the lizards that are everywhere etc. etc.

Last week we went to a village to meet a priestess and she became possessed by multiple spirits that made her dress move and talk differently- it was unreal to say the least. But what was even crazier was the priest in training that was dancing to the possession drumming and began having spirits take over his body and he began seizing for around 10 minutes. It was amazing. To greet everyone they gave us a shot of the local gin that you give part of to yourself and then offer the other part to the gods. We stayed and danced and drummed and had private meetings with the priestess where she gave advice and told us answers to questions we had for her. Then we all piled back into our tro tro 23 or 24 of us in a car made for 18 or 19 it was tight but bonding and fun.

On Saturday I had plans to go to the zoo and a funeral with my friends but my mom told me no we had other plans. So we went to a funeral of her brothers wife. (Funerals in Ghana are a HUGE event- hundreds of people and often are a bigger deal than weddings. my mom said she goes to one every saturday) So I dressed in all black dress that was my moms with a black head scarf. As i was walking down the street with my mom and her sister we looked pretty awesome in all black. As we got the the funeral I stuck out only...the most. I was with none of my SIT counterparts and was the only ubroni (white person) amongst hundreds of ghanians. One man I met was a big steelers fan!! So nice and comforting! We stayed at the funeral for 5 hours with good drinks, dancing- there were 3 different bands and a DJ, and food.

AHH So much more to say but only 2 minutes left on the internet - I need to plan this better!

Tomorrow we leave for the all Twi speaking village and we are split into 3 small groups for 2 weeks. I am so excited! Hopefully I will be able to fill you in on more of my adventures!

Love love love