Worn Out

Three blog entries in three days. The world is ending. Andy is here.

We had another brilliant day. I have to be honest though; we are exhausted. It gets to be pretty overwhelming to have so many intense and incredible experiences with no pause in between. Today was no exception. We started the day with the kids working on their movies. The electricity went out, so the kids started drawing more pictures to add to their movies. At eleven o' clock this morning, twelve kids and I drove over to the IOM offices in Accra. Erik stayed with the remaining kids at the center.

We had our video pen-pal day scheduled today with three groups. Two were with Lori and Claire in the Chicago area, and the other was with Peggy and Ronald's class from Lake Charles Louisiana. We started off a bit rough with the Internet, but once we established a good connection we had a ton of fun. The kids from both Ghana and America seemed in awe that they were actually talking to each other in live-time. The conversation usually started with names and ages, eventually moving into school, sports and food. The most confusing subject is the difference between "football" and "American football." I don't know why America calls football soccer. It really makes more sense to call American football "rugby version 2..." but I digress.

The kids from America then began to ask the kids here about what it was like to be trafficked. I was impressed with how open both groups of kids were. They talked back and forth (when the Internet allowed), and really got into some serious conversations. My hope is that this experience sparked a realization in both groups of kids that the world is pretty small, and no matter where you are from, you have a lot in common. It ended with the kids from America asking the kids here if they can become friends, and the response from here was a huge YES.

Whew. So after that kind of day, Erik and I came back to the hotel to realize that we have about 10 hours of work to do before tomorrow. Man... I am going to sleep for a month when I get back. As tired as I am, I only have one thing to complain about. Tonight at dinner, a group of about 15 loud and obnoxious American dudes showed up at the restaurant bar. We sat and watched as they took booze from behind the bar when the bartender wasn't looking, insulted every patron of the restaurant, and continued on to make every social and cultural mistake that is humanly possible. Luckily, it was the first group of stereotypical loud Americans that we have encountered, but they were sure a disgrace to the country. Erik and I were ashamed. If you know me, you know how much I love it when Americans are like that. Anyway... enough of them.

It seems weird to think that we are almost done with this blitz trip! Only one more country (Ethiopia). So until we write again, I will say adios.

Medawasee (Thank you in Twi - one of the languages here in Accra).

A.dog