Second weekend

This weekend was the funeral so we had to leave on Friday early to make the 6 hour bus ride. Almost everyone was in the bus and the driver decided that he needed to adjust the park job which resulted in him loosing control down the hill and crashing into the ditch. I always wait until last to get in to make sure we have everyone and that everything is ok, so watching this was pretty crazy.  Luckily everyone was ok and a few of us had to help push the van out back onto the road. We had to wait for another driver but an hour later we were finally on the road. 

1.5 hours into the ride we saw a group of children on the ride of the road and a few cars around.  Apparently a taxi driver going the other way was being reckless trying to pass someone and ran a bus full of school children off the road. We got out to help and tried to use the first aid we could to banage up wounds and I helped to get some of the kids into the taxi. It was pretty shocking how many people stopped to help and taxis that just grabbed kids, bleeding and all to take to the hospital. The driver and two children were in pretty bad shape and rushed first. Everyone was taken away before the police could arrive.  The rest of the trip was less happy and made me really appreciate the fast responses by medical personnel at home

And strict rules of the road.  It was really great to see how many people stopped to help and assist during the time of need. 

We arrived in Kamasi and had a meal. I got to try Fufu which in a vet traditional dish. After half of us went to an old fort converted into a war museum and learned a lot about the independence, military, wars, and African history.  A group of school children were also doing the tour and after wanted to take pictures with the brunies. We felt like we were part of the tour! 

We went back to the hotel to find out that  there wasn't enough water pressure to take a shower so we had to bucket shower. I got to practice for my village week coming up. 

The next day we went to the funeral. It was a very interesting experience as we were the only white people (300-400 people total) in attendance. We had traditional outfits made of the event so we looked like everyone but still turned heads. I sat back the whole time trying to see the customs, traditions, and workings of a funeral ceremony. It lasted about 2 hours and then the group went to the cemetary and we had to go check out of the hotel.  Biggest differences I noticed during the ceremony were:

1. He died 1 month ago. They normally wait to have the burial until later and when the family is ready

2. Everyone goes! He was 77 and people from all over attended showing the family support. Very close knit communities.

3. The ceremony is very family, church, career, and club oriented. They had a speaker from each aspect of his life 

4. The funeral process lasts 3 entire days.  It began Friday, was 4 am to 8 pm sat and then Sunday. 

We headed back to takoradi on Saturday afternoon and arrived after dinner. Spent the night hanging out with people in the house.

Sunday am I went on another run around town and took a few pictures:

A lot of people were at church so the roads were not very busy. 

On the final hill back to our house a few children were outside playing and wanted to run with me. We did a few hills and after started to play with them and hangout. They wanted a picture before I headed inside:

Went to a hotel for the afternoon with the group to relax and go in the beach. Even got a little studying in:

At night we went out to dinner for one of the girls birthday. I spent the entire time watching the World Cup final with the other guy from the house.