Our Last Week in Wiamoase...

Last week, I did not blog on Friday because I ran out of time. However, Friday was a great day. We went to the Craft Village of Ahwiaa where the wood-carvers sell their goods. When Obronis go there, though, it is a bargaining frenzy! It was definitely challenging, but I think I did alright. I also brought lots to trade because I don't want to carry everything home. They LOVED the hand sanitizer and the lotion. I have two funny stories from the Craft Village. The first one is about Tommy's present from Ghana--I had the most difficult time getting it! I actually had to beg the man in the end, and he gave it to me. It's a great story that I'll have to tell him when I give it to him. Tommy should just remember how much I love him...that's all I have to say about that. The second story is really funny. In the first shop I went to, the man kept saying that we could straight trade, meaning the trade does not involve any money at all. I told him I would come back to his shop to trade because I wanted to see all of the items in the other shops first. He tried to persuade me to come back by giving me a bracelet for free. However, after I went through all of the other shops, I had nothing left to trade except my stretched out underwear. I went back to his shop, and he was so disappointed that I didn't trade him my hand sanitizer or lotion. I told him that I could still trade him some underwear if he wanted it. He was obviously hurt, and he gave me a really super cool mask. So, I got a bracelet and an awesome mask in exchange for...my underwear...

I thought that was funny.

On Saturday, we had a group party because Margaret was leaving on Sunday morning. We gave gifts to all of the members of the host family. I was in charge of Christiana's gift...I got her cute shoes and matching earrings. We also took minerals (drank soda) and ate biscuits (cookies). It was a really fun time. Sunday was our last day at church because we will be traveling next Sunday to Accra.

Monday was a super duper fun day, even though I didn't exactly do anything, because I got to spend an entire day at a compound and saw what the actual people are doing in the casual environment of their own home. It was so fun. We went over to Deborah's house (Kayla is interviewing Deborah for her project) so Kayla and I could get our hair plaited. However, Kayla's hair ended up taking 14 hours total, so I am getting my hair plaited tomorrow instead. Deborah fed us some really good but really interesting food at her house. Who knew fish could taste so good with bananas? We also had lots of girl talk (aka Deborah was being suggestive and dirty and hilarious). Her 1 1/2 year old daughter, Perpetua, kept being a stinker and cried a lot. We had so much fun, though!

Yesterday, Michelle and I went to the only school for the deaf in the Ashanti Region. It was so incredible! I wish I knew it was there so I could have done my project at that site. All the kids were so excited to see us. They used American Sign Language, so I could communicate with them a little bit...mostly things I learned from Kasen Lindquist and working at the Provo School District.

As I said before, Thursday and Friday I will be getting my hair plaited. On Saturday, we leave Wiamoase, and on Sunday we will be going to Accra by bus. In Accra, we are hoping to go to the National Theater and the temple and Independence Square...who knows where else.

I won't be using the computer again until I get back in a week. So, this is my last post from Ghana. Have a great week, everyone!