Thanksgiving

You know it is funny to celebrate a holiday that is unique only to the US in another country. I remember the first time this happened to me was while I was in London such that right after Halloween the Christmas decorations started coming out. Makes you think about people who think that right after Thanksgiving is to soon for Christmas stuff, but the point I was getting at is that I remember asking myself what about Thanksgiving. Of course I realized that the holiday is an American creation and so that only we would celebrate it just as other countries celebrate their own Independence. But Thanksgiving here in Ghana at the US ambassadors house was great just like I had never left the states eating a turkey leg and pecan pie(no whip cream)mashed potatoes, and stuffing. The weird thing is that while yes all these things made me miss home and feel nostalgic I also realized what things I am giving up for these two years. This did not depress me but rather remind me of what I came here to do and that is the important thing because the world goes on life goes on and I know when I get back Thanksgiving will be there for me. So the real funny thing is that later that night I go and play trivia and drink a margarita as if it was cinco de mayo so really no matter the holiday what truly matters is the people you are with and despite not being with family I was surrounded by friends and really who could ask for a better Thanksgiving than that? So I hope that everyone had a great turkey day I know that the one turkey who got Obama's pardon did.

my local name

So while I have been in Ghana I have pick up some names so as of know I may be known as Austin Auzansoma Kofi Wesley McCain. So you may ask what are the meanings of these names and so here it is "Auzansoma" means all is well, all is good, with God all is good, or all is well with God. Basically all is good but with the many different variations. Kofi is simply Friday meaning that I was born on a Friday which actually I was born on Thursday but because of the time difference when I was born in Ghana it was Friday, plus I didn't like the name for Thursday. So life is good I remain in good health and have been playing soccer almost everyday since receiving a ball in the mail thanks dad. I am excited about the projects that I will start and as always my community is great they make it feel like home. I miss all of you and hope that things are well back home and sorry for no pictures this time.

Peace,

Austin

xylophones

So these xylophones are part of the funeral process one is a male and the other is a female and the songs they play all have different meanings so you have to be a talented player to play. A note on the funerals is that they last a total of three days the first normally being Friday going on all night to Saturday where also people stay up all night until Sunday when the body is buried. The activities include viewing the body crying a lot but also dancing and drinking plus eating the whole town gets involved and so it really is quite a site I haven't stayed up all three nights but normally visit during one of the days. It also depends on the person who has died if it a older person then people accept that they lived a good life I mean they are sad but not as sad as when it is a young person it is then that everyone really gets emotional because this person should still be alive. So this is the lowdown on Ghanaian funerals and depending where you are in the country you will have differences in the practice.

back yard

The view of my back yard.

update

So first of all I am well staying healthy and actually gaining weight which is strange because I have been trying to do that the past ten years so maybe it is all just catching up to me. I finally got my bike so that I can move about more easily which is really exciting because my town is really spread out and I was getting tried of people saying that I never visit them. I am also excited about all the projects that people want to do some of which are feasible and others a little less realistic for me but all the same it is nice to have an eager community that wants my help as much as I want to help. I know don’t know what else I can really say because I haven’t really gone anywhere exciting because of the lack of bike so now that will change. But until then I will just say that I am well and miss all of you back home but am constantly reassured of the positive work that I will be doing here. Until the next time Peace Love and all that Good Stuff.

Austin

just letting you know

So things are well sorry I haven't post anything in a while. People have been asking what I might like to be sent and really anything you want whether it is a hardshell candy or some game found at the dollar store all gifts are welcome. Also I have been asked about the climate and wildlife well there are only two seasons the rainy and dry right now it is in the end of the rainy and coming to the dry so it will be getting hotter so any little fanspraybottle type things would be nice. As far as the wildlife most of the animals that you might think about like monkeys hippos loins elephants and so on are in wildlife reserves. I will take pictures as I experience this things. So I am doing ok and it is always nice to hear from all of you by any means. Well sorry no pics this time I am trying to get some good ones but I have mainly just been in the village and nothing has stuck out as pic worthy. Well later hope all is well back home.

Austin

All quite on the home front

So things are going ok I have been integrating into the community meeting with various groups and having fun cooking for myself. Don't have much to report other than I am fine and healthy enjoying this cool weather from the rainy season. I will try to go to the hippo sanctuary so I can get some more good photos up for all to view. So until next time peace love and all that good stuff :)

Austin