As most of you are aware today is my last day in Ghana as a VSO volunteer and what a mission it has been to complete everything before my flight back to the UK tonight, but finally after some last minute packing I am ready for home. Obviously anyone who has read my blog throughout this emotional rollercoaster nine and a half months (think I've had more ups and downs than a pregnant woman) knows exactly how my VSO experience has been. That said, I have reverted back to my good old Ghanaversary countdowns one last time to give a few summaries of the adventure that was...
Five things I am looking forward to going home to:
- My loved ones - friends and family who I have missed dearly throughout this time, but who have remained constants in my life
- The cold! Not spending 24 hours a day with a sweat on
- Toilets. Everywhere having a toilet, and a flushing one with running water at that!
- Feeling clean and being able to run my fingers through my hair
- Cinemas, restaurants, country walks, road trips, nights out, nights in (OK this one is cheating slightly as clearly I am cramming a lot into one point, but I guess the general vibe would be 'socialising and doing new things')
Five things I will miss about Ghana:
- Walking down Commercial St and around Bolga market where people greet, smile and know my name.
- All year round sunshine. It really is hard not to smile when the sun is shining all the time!
- The freedom of hopping on my moto and feeling the breeze dry my sweat as I ride.
- Jana. The little village outside Tamale that has worked its way into my heart.
- GMT. At first it was frustrating, but really it has allowed me the time to do everything I want to do.
Five things I will not miss about Ghana:
- Mosquitoes, ants, bugs, insects! Anything that can land on me, crawl on me, bite me!
- Sweat! I will not miss sweating all day everyday and sometimes even finishing a cold shower drenched in sweat!
- My moto breaking down on me ALL the time!
- MTN internet when on green light.
- Waiting for tros to fill - arriving at the tro park to find a tro has just left and the next one to fill is a 37 seater!
Five things I am looking forward to going and coming back to:
- VSO friends. For keeping me on the straight and narrow (somehow)!
- My best Jana friend Aminatu. I cannot wait to spend six months watching this little girl grow and in any small way I can, shaping her future.
- Three ceiling fans in the main room of the house. Come March and April when the heat is scorching, these will be much appreciated!
- Taxis and push bikes. No more wearing combat trousers and trainers in the boiling hot sun because I need to ride my moto everywhere! Sun dresses and skirts here I come!
- The challenge.
And on that note it is now time for me to start my journey home, Ghana I will go (small time), England I am coming...