**I can't tell our daugher's name yet or show pictures until after we pass court so I am going to start referring to her as "E" - that will be much easier in writing and those of you who know her name can insert it. :)
Last night was rough. I was sick all night with the "Ghanaian revenge" and we can't really even figure out why. I haven't eaten much at all while we were here (it's a great kick start to the diet plan!) and what I have had was very safe and plain. Greg has been more adventurous and he feels fine. We've been very careful about water, even when brushing our teeth, no ice in our drinks, etc. and we are washing our hands often. So, as the sun came up I needed to decide whether or not I should leave the "safety" of the hotel today. Our plan was to pick up E and head to a mall where she could jump in some bounce houses. Luckily, our driver wasn't coming to pick us up until 10:30 (which actually ends up being 11:30 by the time they arrive ... it's called "GT", Ghana Time:) so I had some time to decide. I ended up downing some Imodium for my breakfast & going for it and I'm so glad I did.
When we picked her up she was napping and it took a long time to wake her - she sleeps tight! She was also not talking to anyone in the car ... we think she was really tired and she also said her stomach didn't feel good. On our way into Accra our guide said we would stop at the Art Center first before the mall. We had no idea what that was but we were up for it. (although we were a bit worried it was an art museum and we didn't think our crabby little girl was going to have a change of heart looking at a museum!) As it turns out, it's a big area of all little shops where we could purchase souveniers of African culture. We got out there and after a while E perked up. Imagine what you think of as an African market and that was pretty much it. People coming at you from all sides wanting you to look in their shop, excessively hot, very overwhelming, etc. But, we got some great items to bring home and even bought E an African dress she can wear for court on Tuesday if she wants to. We were very glad to have our guide from Bethany with us - she was really good at bartering. (Rod Dirkse, you'd be proud of your son today!) It was so hot there that I started to pass out - you know that feeling when you get the tunnel vision and can't hear anything? Yep, that happened. I sat down for awhile and got water and we were luckily getting into the car shortly. E was so sweet, she took out her little hankerchief and was wiping the sweat off of my face for me. :)
After the car ride to the mall I had cooled off and felt much better. On the way to the mall E has asked if we could get ice cream. ("Please Momma you get me ice cream?" in her little accent. How can you say no?) That sounded perfect to me! The 3 of us all ordered strawberry ice cream which hit the spot and seemed to sit well in my stomach. After ice cream E jumped in the bounce houses and on the trampolines there in the middle of the outdoor food court. She had never done anything like that before and she just loved it - the trampolines more than the bounce houses. (we told her that we have a trampoline in our backyard but I'm not sure she can fathom that) She was a sweaty mess jumping in those things but she didn't seem to care at all. Being there was interesting - they had workers at each station taking care of the kids for you and all of the parents sat in chairs under a tent. I'm pretty sure some of the parents even left them there and went shopping! I had started out following her around and taking some pictures and then realized that I was the only parent out there. I quickly sat down so I wouldn't stick out more than I already did. :) The children here in Ghana are amazingly well behaved and independent. E looked at me often for approval while she was jumping but quickly made friends with a few other girls there and just followed their lead and followed them wherever they went. She didn't care at all that I was sitting in the shade and just watching- thank God!
By the time E was done jumping it was getting late and was time to bring her home. On the car ride back to her place she was much more talkative and pleasant than on the way there. (although she did again complain that her belly hurt so I hope she feels ok tomorrow)
Greg & I returned to the hotel hoping the internet would be fixed. We knew the chances were slim but we had a glimmer of hope because all week they've been telling us Saturday. No luck, it's still out. And... the power is out so we are on generator power so there is no a/c again tonight. At least the water is on and we can shower after our sweaty day at the market. I'm learning to count my blessings!
Tomorrow we are going to attend EARLY church with two of the Bethany workers, they claim they are picking us up at 6:30am for a 7-9am service at a Presbyterian Church they attend. Then we'll stop back at the hotel for a little breakfast and to grab stuff for the beach. We'll go pick up E and bring her to the beach ... another first for her. (she told us once she was going to go but it was raining so she didn't) At least that is the plan ... but we go with the flow here.
A few observations about Ghana:
1. Although it is very sunny, no one wears sunglasses.
2. People prefer to shop locally at the "markets" along the streets rather than shop at big stores. And the markets never close - there are people in the streets all night it seems.
3. People are very friendly, not in a hurry, and seem happy all of the time.
4. Very few people own cars but there are taxis and small van-like buses everywhere packing the streets. I'm glad we have a skilled driver to do the navigating between all of the cars!
5. Greg spotted a Milwaukee Panthers and a Green Bay Packers t-shirt on some men in the market today. :) Go WI - keep sending your clothes, they are wearing them!
6. By US standards, the food is incredibly cheap - and the portions are enormous. We asked our guide today if it was normal for people to eat just 1 or 2 meals per day because of the portion sizes. She said no, most people eat 3. I guess walking around in this heat must burn tons of calories if they can eat like that 3x a day!
7. There are many tow trucks here and they all remind me of Mater, from Cars.
E sure has a sweet personality. We are enjoying getting to know her but we are ready to head to court on Tuesday and get the process going to bring her home to the US. Our time with her is coming to a close (a few hours together tomorrow and then Monday evening and Tuesday morning for court) but it has been great. It has been emotionally exhausting for all of us (including E) so we really feel that seeing her the 4-6 hours a day like we have been is good. I think that more than that would be hard for everyone.
Hopefully you can all meet her sometime this fall! :)
Robin
PS - Dirkse/VanderJagt Family: I needed to come to Africa in order to win a game of cards ... I have a 3 night winning streak going! :)
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