I’m not going to lie: it’s a little scary to walk through a pitch dark, packed market, lit by only tiny flickering gas candles, pursued everywhere by the ghostly yell: Yavoo! Yavoo! White woman!
Luckily, I had Millicent’s warm hand on my arm as we wove through the shadowy stalls to buy her ingredients for the week.
When you live or travel in a country far less expensive than your own, [...Read More!]
Under the curve of Mother Africa’s head, before her long neck, the blue Volta river spills forth from Ghana and meets the Atlantic Ocean.
Today we had a free time before the Youth Creating Change holiday party tomorrow, and so American Dan, German Alexander, and I went with Ghanaian YCC Staff Member Collins to the meeting of the waters.
Seth pointed to Dan as we were leaving. “You,” he said, “you bring [...Read More!]
“Please do not be offended,” said the soldier at the Volta River roadblock, “but are you a spy?”
“No I am not.” replied Dan respectfully.
“Are you sure?” asked the soldier, eying Dan’s fancy camera.
“I am sure,” said Dan.
And thus began our epic journey to the distant hill town of Aburi to fulfill the mission of Backpacking Granny: 1) Take seed money from the U.S. to Ghana to buy hand-crafts, 2) which Dan [...Read More!]
Hello! Welcome to the last pre-programmed, 2009 Reflection post before we delve into the thrilling world of Ghana news!This here is the biggie, isn’t it: Epiphanies, or, as we teach it in Boston Public Schools: “The ‘AHA!’ Moment.”
Indeed, why do we travel but to shake up our lives and force an “Aha!” from our nose to our toes? Sure enough, the first five months of this joyous Around the [...Read More!]
It’s happy time: Love and Laughter! And as you read this pre-programmed post, I am awaking in my first full day in sunny Ghana, West Africa!Accompanying this article, please enjoy photos from in and around the famous Uffizi Museum of Florence, Italy, including, pictured left, Michelangelo’s gorgeous sole existing non-fresco painting. Look at those muscles on the Virgin Mary!
(Disclaimer: we DID see all these big-shot paintings at the Uffizi, [...Read More!]
Our plane had been circling around and around Frankfurt, Germany for an hour when the captain’s sing-song German came on the loudspeaker.
“Nice!” I smiled to myself, gazing at the bruised purple snow clouds below us that had delayed our arrival so far, “I should still be able to catch my 10:30 flight to Accra if I run!”
The captain cleared his throat and the English translation began. “Unfortunately,” he said sheepishly [...Read More!]
As you read this pre-programmed post, I am flying from Italy to Ghana! I am SO EXCITED and happy about this, and I cannot wait to see what the next three months will bring.
Now, if you’re looking for the drama, you’ve come to the right article. This list will link you directly to the eleven most scary, transformative, and adrenaline-filled moments of the past five months of the Around the [...Read More!]
Are you hungry yet? Hopefully you will be after reading this countdown. As you peruse this pre-programmed post, I’m on the train north to Milan, Italy from Florence!
Given the amount of deliciousness I’ve inhaled in the past five months, there may be some glaring gaps in this list, so feel free to weigh in on YOUR votes for best world food of 2009.
As before, please click on the blue links [...Read More!]
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
May these (totally-unrelated-to-the-article) photos from climbing the Duomo in Florence with my sweet family put you in a good mood for 2010!
Now… I resolve: For as long as the savings hold out, and perhaps longer, I will see this thing through. Travel! Writing! Connections! Crafting a career that will contribute positively to society, while keeping the passion going!
A giant THANK YOU to you for reading this blog. [...Read More!]
We all fell in love today. How could we not? Michelangelo’s David is stunning.
You see the photos everywhere, and you don’t really care. Meh– just another curly-haired naked dude, right? But listen: if you pay the ten Euro entrance fee to actually see Michelangelo’s David sculpture in person, you WILL feel as if you’ve gotten your money’s worth, and more.
Here is a smattering of guidebook facts and [...Read More!]