Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello there!

I am down to my last few days in Ghana and I wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! I leave this Saturday and it'll take me a few days to get to Dakar. Once there, I will spend a week seeing my host family and friends before I finally fly home.

I first want to send a shout-out to my lovely mother, Pam, who is celebrating her 30th birthday (again) on Sunday! I will be in transit so I can't promise she'll hear from me on her actual birthday. But I will be thinking of her on Sunday from a hot, sweaty bus somewhere in West Africa.

I also want to spend a moment in the spirit of the holiday for there are many things that I am thankful for this year.

I am so thankful for safe travels ( so far) and so many wonderful experiences during my time in Africa. I have learned so much and met a multitude of awesome people.

I am thankful for Lucy and my Ghanaian family.

I am very thankful for my family and friends back home who have supported me. It has been immeasurably helpful to have people that believe in me during this adventure.

Thanks go out to Ethel, Nelly, Zachary, Shark Tooth, Nancy, Giggles, Ivy, PP, Abigail and all my creche babies who somehow make the stress of a long day melt away with their tiny wonderfulness.

And for some conclusion to my stay in Ghana...

Things I love about Ghana:

Sunny days

Ethel
Red-red

Lightning

Plantains

My star students: Lily, Grace, Emmanuel, Sarah, Dau-Mensah

Lucy
Awesome sunsets

Lizards and geckos
Being so close to the ocean
Dinner, showers, reading, etc. by candle light.
The children

Frogs

Things I don't love about Ghana:

Cockroaches
The (over-friendly) men
Kenkey
Rain
The humidity
Power outages
Mosquitoes

Being called "Obruni"

My trouble-makers: David, Prince, Lieon, 4th grade

The children

Anyway, it has been a hell of a stay here but it is time for me to move on. I have learned a lot and this experience has certainly deepened my respect for teachers. I will miss all the great people I have met and become close to here but I am ready to head home after nearly a year away.

I'll be back on US soil in no time and I can't wait to see all of you!

Cheers.