Saturday, October 8th, 2005
So, I moved in with my host family this week. I am living in a small town just outside Techiman. This is where I'll be until December 3rd. I can not tell you how awesome my family is! Seriously, I could not have asked for a better family. My host parents are Augustine and Mary. He is a builder and she runs a store in town. I have 3 sisters and 2 brothers. Cynthia (27) stays at home and takes care of everything (cooking, cleaning, etc...). Carlos (24) is in college getting a degree in Economics; he lives at home. Carl (22) and Linda (18) are both away at college. I have not met them yet, but they anxious to come home next holiday break to meet me. Abigail (8) lives at home, of course, and is in grade school. Most of them speak English but they are diligently teaching me Twi. I'm probably closest to Carlos - he and I have really bonded and really enjoy hanging out together. He reminds me of my brothers, so it's a little more like home. All of the other trainees like having him around also because he speaks English really well and he likes hanging out with all of us. My house is like the "cool" house to be. Haha :)
I live in a 4 bedroom, 1 bath house. I have electricity, running water, a shower and a toilet! I have my own room that is very spacious. My bed is comfortable - sleeping under a mosquito net is a little weird but I'm already used to it. The house is surrounded by a steel gate that is locked every night, so I feel very secure. We also have 2 dogs (who just had puppies), 1 cat, and some chickens that I'm sure will be dinner one of these nights. Haha :)
I washed clothes yesterday. It was quite the event actually. Many people in the neighborhood were coming by and laughing at me. They kept telling me I was doing it wrong and sending their kids over to offer to help me. I turned them down until Cynthia finally had enough and just kicked me off the stool to show me how it's really done.
Training is going well. It's very intense - 6 days a week!! I usually have language in the morning and afternoon and then business training in between. I eat 3 meals a day at home - absolutely no processed foods if you can imagine. We have a gas stove, but Cynthia likes to cook on a coal stove most of the time (because it's cheaper). I'm actually cooking for the family next week - I think I'm making spaghetti!!
I've been here 2 weeks now and it feels like years. I feel so comfortable here and I think I'm really picking everything up quickly. I find out my permanent site next Thursday. I'm really hoping to be close to Techiman so that I'm close to my host family.
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