the mosquitos' got me

so i've been in Ghana for almost 2 months now and had managed to maintain my health until today. the night mosquitos of west africa got me = i have malaria. I set out for the coast early friday monring with a bad fever and acky muscles, i knew things weren't good, but i wasn't going to let a weak body prevent me from going to Cape coast so i took some meds and actually felt fine the entire weekend. When i got back monday i decided to check it out with the doctors, just to make sure it wasn't malaria... only to find out that it was! He said that a strong immune system and well taken antimalarials i might not have known till i got home. and considering the doctors here are pros at treating it i'm actually happy i found out now rather than in a weeks time back at home! I feel totally fine and now i can say i've had the full african experience i guess!

This weekend, although started out with a high temperature was fantastic! We went to Cape Coast and stayed at the Oasis Beach Resort right on the water. It was full of other volunteers and med students so we had a wiked time. Friday we arrived and took our time checking into the hotel. Then we visited the Cape Coast Castle which was both very interesting and depressing. The Castle was used for the slave trade up until the mid 1800, a place where many Ghanaians and Africans left their home forever. The museum was really well done and very informative. But it did feel strange to be in such an impressive building with such a dark past.

Saturday we went to Kankum national park and did the Canopy walk (desinged by canadians) which was 40 meters bove the forest floor! it was incredible, and even though heights aren't my favorite thing it was so amazing! the tree's and plant life were beautiful (ashley you would have loved it). That afternoon we relaxed by the water and had cocktails with fellow volunteers at night... all in all a great weekend.

So its my last week in Kumasi, then I head to Accra on Friday, and fly home on Sunday evening. My recent decline in health is making me happy to return home, and the thought of running water and consistent electricity is starting to sound really good! i think the thing i miss most though is a washing machine... washing all your clothes by hand is a lot of work!

So i'll be back in canada for a week (march 5 - 11th) then I head to London to play marry popins for a Canadian family in London for 3 months! cheers :)

fishing villages and safaris!

the past two weeks have been so action packed i dont even know where to begin! things just keep getting better and better here in Ghana, and \i'm starting to feel unhappy about my short 2 months compared to many fellow volunteers who spend 5 or 6 months! there is just so much to see and do, and i really love it here, so it will be hard to say good bye,

so green turtle lodge, just west of Takoradi was amazing! definitly one of the most beautiful, undeveloped beaches i have ever seen. The place was so quiet and clean compared to the city life, so it was a nice break from kumasi. we went on a canoe trip up a river close to a local fishing village; first time we went our guide didn't show up, but we just explored the local village, and had a very nice morning there with the locals! then we returned a few hours later and our guide showed up! haha i've become so accustomed to people showing up late, or never here in Ghana - time has a very different meaning here, but its a nice change of pace from home.

the canoe trip was incredible; the trees grew up along the banks and their brnches stresseched over and down into the water... to the point where we were in a dome of tree's... incredible, so beautiful. i wishi could post pictures, haha when i get back to canada - the internet is too slow here!

this past weekend i went up to mole national park in the northern part of ghana with kate and some other fellow volunteers. it was a bit more pricey than i had expected - but 100% worth it. we went on two sfari walks, morning and afternoon. we saw lots of animals, but of course the most impressive was the elephants! we got so close! as well as baboons, and antilope... it was a fantastic weekend. and when we weren't out walking around the park we were having star beers around the pool hotel which looks over the watering hole... with elephants and other animals bathing and drinking = so amazing!

so i have one last weekend to travel before i head home, and have saved the best for last. kate and i are heading to cape coast - we've been told its one of the most beautiful spots in Ghana, as well it has a very rich and interesting history.

i can't believe i only have 2 weeks left - and i still have so much to do and see! i will definitly have to come back to Ghana some day, as well as visit other counties in Africa! cheers :)

Touring Kumasi...

the last week i have managed to pack in a lot of local travelling... seeing the best of what Kumasi has to offer. First and foremost it has the largest market in all of west africa, but even though its HUGE its really well organized. All the shoes in one section, another for clothing, another for meat, another for veggies... its a lot of fun to just walk through and look at everything the market has to offer.

Sunday I headed out with Femke (Dutch friend) to Bonwire, the village where the traditional kente cloth originated. It was really nice to get out of the city and experience the smaller village side of Ghana. We got to watch the locals weave the kente - with all the colours and patterns - it was incredible. I also had a hard time resisting all the beautiful bags, etc they placed in front of me and definitly spent too much, haha, but it was really fun interacting with the locals. They are always interested about where you're from, what you're doing in Ghana, and of course if you're married! my fake wedding ring has definitly saved me a few times... basically just allows you to escape without being rude.

Next we went to Bobiri forest sanctuary known for having over 300 species of butterflies and over 200 birds! Ashley you would have LOVED in there! we went on a hike through the forest, and the trees... unbelievably HUGE! it was great, such a great day.

I also started working more regularly at the hospital, and the HIV/AIDS clinic, and I really like it there. The doctor is fantastic, and the nurses are so nice. And its nice to put my education/experience to work in the health setting.

This weekend i'm heading to Green Turtle lodge just west of Takoradi on the West Coast: www.greenturtlelodge.com check it out - it looks amazing! Then I'll meet up with kate on Sunday night! cheers :)