Journal Entry 50: A Moment to Reminisce...

I've created this video in an attempt to recapture my experience in Ghana for the past seventeen weeks. Unfortunately, I didn't have all of the pictures and videos I wanted to include in time to post this, but I think it is nice as it is. While I realize that no video could ever suffice or compare to all I have seen and learned, through it I seek to hold onto a mixture of memories, emotions, and experiences that would rightfully never be forgotten, but would otherwise remain mental. Enjoy…

Journal Entry 49: Until Next Time

I didn’t realize how hard it would be for me to leave Ghana until I actually arrived in the U.S. The entire semester I craved for soul food, hot showers and good customer service but when I actually arrived, everything suddenly felt so foreign, so unreal. My life of walking amongst stray dogs and goats on dirt roads, buying items off of the street within the comfort of my car, and taking cold showers had become so normal for me. It wasn’t until I stepped foot on American soil that I realized I had changed, and that I might run into people who don’t quite understand me. It’s as if I was a lot happier in Ghana, even though the U.S. provided me with so many luxuries. I already realize that this will not be my last visit to Ghana. I think I left a piece of myself in Ghana, a piece that I may have to find every now and then when I’m lost. Until next time Ghana, I'll keep you in my heart, with hopes that you will do the same.

Journal Entry 48: Beauty is Skin Deep

I can’t believe I neglected to bring notice to something I found to be very disturbing while in Ghana (although it’s better late than never). Every now and then I’ll catch a billboard ad or a commercial that advertises some product that helps to lighten the skin. I recall sitting in a hair shop and hearing a commercial for Carotone. “For younger, brighter” skin the commercial advertised, flaunting its happier, brighter women. Although it saddens me to see that these products are being encouraged and are easily accessible in shops, I can’t say that the black community in the U.S. is doing much better. Instead of creating a more European look for our naturally darker skin, we’ve directed more of our focus on changing our natural African hair. Every time I see an ad for a product like this, I think of all the times in Ghana when I was told that I had a pretty skin color, or was asked to switch my color with someone of a darker complexion.

One time I ordered food and sat down at a table to wait for it. The other seats were taken so I chose to sit down in the only chair I saw available. It just so happens that the chair I sat on was directly under the hot sun. The woman who was about to prepare my food said to me, “Why are you sitting under the hot sun?”. “Because I want to be as dark as you” I responded. She laughed hysterically. “Oh but I like your skin color”. “But your skin is so beautiful” I said. She insisted that I switch my complexion with hers, then laughed and walked away, wearing a confused expression on her face. It scared me that she didn’t trust my admiration, but it scares me even more that there are products that can turn these forms of mental self-destruction into a permanent reality.

Journal Entry 47: A Happy Thanksgiving

This was the first Thanksgiving I had away from home, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. My exchange program invited us to celebrate Thanksgiving together at a home that belonged to one of the host parents. It was a beautiful house, and I couldn’t believe that two of my fellow exchange students were actually living there (or actually living on their own in the guest house next door).

As I anticipated, many of the exchange students (myself included) wore their Ghanaian attire to celebrate the American holiday. Because we would be leaving Ghana shortly, people had already begun to reminisce over their experiences in Ghana, which caused us to be even more patriotic as our favorite Ghanaian songs floated from the DJ’s speakers. I was very pleased to eat turkey for the first time in a long time, and appreciated the huge effort made to make us feel at home. As usual, we ended up dancing—dancing harder than we ever have before (as we have experienced so much and realized that it could be our last time dancing together).

This is the Thanksgiving that truly made me realize that I have so much to be thankful for.