Day 2 of arriving on the ship I met an African, when I asked him where he was from he replied: "the promised land" to which I replied: "Israel?" I soon learned that Ghana is the self-proclaimed promise land of Western Africa. Over the next several weeks I was told many times that I needed to make it over to Ghana and witness firsthand the beauty of the promise land and at the end of september I had a chance to go! :)
I am standing in Togo waiting to be processed to enter the promised land, Ghana, behind me...
There were 13 of us who made the 11-hour car trek to Wli Waterfall in NorthEastern Ghana. It was SO refreshing to get out of Contonou into the mountains and fresh air. We left at 4 AM on Friday and were able to stop at a missionary hospital in Togo on the way that reminded me of the small hospital in Axum, Ethiopia that Ashley and I worked in back in 2007.... I have always heard that your sense of smell has the strongest link to memories and let me tell you when we walked into the pediatric ward I was taken back to that hospital in Axum from the smell of the unit, kind of interesting. But it was neat to meet the doctors working at the small hospital and see their passion to use their abilities to love the people of Togo and spread the gospel. Pretty amazing.
Street in Togo
Saturday we ventured out and hiked Wli waterfall, a feat that took us about 6 hours, but I have to confess it felt so good to sweat and be outside for an entire day... but it also reminded me how much work hiking can be! Took me back to my good 'ol Taurnhof days, with some tropical landscape and humidity to change it up a bit. :) We had a guide who used a machete to create a path for us in the brush and lead the way and at the end we got to swim in and under the waterfall!!! It was so awesome.
Sunday we found ourselves hiking yet again, this time to "the best caves in the world" at least that's what our tour guide said about them, I think I would have called them caverns before I called them caves, but it was a neat hike nonetheless, filled with ropes and LOTS of bats.
Bat attack!!! - This picture was taken right as a bat flew right at me in my face!!!! -
Funny come Monday I was so ready to be back "home" and it was the first time that I realized the ship really is starting to feel more and more like home.... a realization that was a little bittersweet because I am happy to say I feel like I have finally settled here, but at the same time it made me miss California and all the comfort that your real home brings even more.
Some more photos...
Our Fearless Guide to the waterfalls....
In the falls...
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