Well, it was bound to happen. After a long day of visiting botanical gardens, walking around colorful markets, and playing hilarious games of Cards Against Humanity, I got my first round of sickness here in Ghana. One minute I was sitting with the group and laughing about marriage proposals that we had received (that happens a lot here), and the next thing I knew, it was two in the morning and I had been curled up on the bathroom floor for six hours.
It was about as beautiful of a sight as you’re picturing.
This morning, I struggled through a meeting with one of our employers, the Alliance for Reproductive Health Rights, but soon after we got back to the house, I planted myself on the couch and have been here almost the whole day. Even the sad looking roll that I managed to nibble on this morning is still waiting loyally by my side in case I have a sudden desire for mediocre, probably now bug-infested bread. Not likely.
On the plus side, my stomach is finally beginning to grumble after about 30 hours without a solid meal, so I think I’ll make it out alive. Hey, at least I got it over with, right?
After last night, it finally hit me that I am not just on vacation; I am in a foreign country that has different risks and dangers than America. Although I have obviously never been to Africa before, I feel an odd sense of familiarity here. Everyone seems like a neighbor or friend, and I have never felt unsafe. However, that makes it easier to let my guard down and forget about taking precautions for my health and safety.
Although I couldn’t post about them yesterday for obvious reasons, the garden and marketplace in Aburi, a region north of Accra, were breathtaking. I can’t believe the diversity of vegetation that grows here. Maybe I am actually in the new Jurassic Park movie and someone just forgot to tell me.
In other news, I got my first marriage proposal at the market yesterday from a 36-year-old named Samuel (at least I think that was his name… obviously the connection was deep and meaningful). Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s going to work out between us. I’m aiming for more of the 45-50 age range; I really dig guys old enough to be my dad.
Only joking.
Well, if all goes to plan, which it surely won’t, I will wake up tomorrow feeling refreshed and ready to take on day 5 of my Ghanaian adventure.
