Saturday, December 31, 2011

Tea Time


I wake up around 6:30 am on my own. I guess when you go to bed at 10 pm that is plenty of sleep! My throat was a little scratchy from all the smoke and dust the previous day, so I stayed in bed reading my kindle until 8:30 am.

Once I was up, Isaac and Grace insisted I have tea with them. Since I had been up for awhile I decided why not. I enjoy the company over meals so it was a nice way to pass the time.

Ghana was a British Colony prior to their independence in 1957; therefore, they put milk in their tea, similar to the British. I was told not to drink any milk here, but the only milk they drink is evaporated milk out of a can, so I added some to my tea. I made sure to check the expiration date on the can since that is one thing they do not check around here.

While I was drinking my tea, Isaac, Grace, and myself discussed African politics and geography. Isaac was telling me that the government did not pay government workers this month before the holidays. The government in the past would give them their paycheck on Dec 24th instead of the 30th of the month when they normally get paid. They still have not received their wages for the month of December. The presidential elections are in January. I was telling Isaac that a politician in the US could ruin their campaign if something like that happened. Isaac said people here are not willing to cross party lines even if the candidate is bad so the majority party will probably still win the election. I told Isaac how it is much the same in the US.

In the afternoon I accompanied Millie and her cousin to the hairdresser. They needed to get their hair done. I figured it would take about 2 hours. It takes about an hour and a half to braid the hair so they can weave the extensions into the hair. The weaving of extensions takes another hour! I lost all patience. I think the hair stylist only actually worked on their hair half the time I was there. They stopped to eat and gossip a lot. I guess its not much different than the neighborhood salon in the US, but I only get my haircut a couple times of year. It is too hard for me to sit in one place for that long!! Finally, around 5:30, I had enough and had to walk home alone.

I’m hoping Millie will want to show off her new hair tonight to celebrate new years. However, she does not like to go out in her hometown all that much. I’m not sure if Isaac and Grace stay up for new years or not. If I’m asleep by 10pm it won’t be my first new years eve in bed. Since I’m in healthcare, I’ve definitely worked a couple of new years’ days and have needed a goodnight sleep! I would like to see the festivities though!

Happy New Year!!! Feel free to call me when you our celebrating tonight! Its right around 6 am when I wake up! J

Love, Kari

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