Introductions

I supposed jumped into things too quickly last time without giving some more general information. I realize the last post was rather short, but I hope to be posting on a more regular basis than before. I don't want to run out of things to say, so I won't drown on too long for each post. Secondly, while Ghana is a totally different developing nation, I don't forsee myself having crazy stories like I did from India. I could be wrong though! So here we go.

I'm living in Kumasi, which is the second largest ciy in Ghana after the capital Accra. It's busy... really busy. The streets are more crowded here than in China or India, which boggles the mind since the population of Ghana is burgeoning. I'm livig with a family of 5 in a house about 30min from downtown Kumasi. I'll say more about this later. As for Projects Abroad, they have volunteers in four regions throughout the country: The Hills, The Coast, Accra and Kumasi. There are about 15-20 volunteers here in Kumasi and I somehow happen to be the only guy. Most of the girls are brits and 18-19yrs old doing their gap year. I get on with them well enough, but I often find myself adrift in a sea of estrogen. Another male doesn't come till early may. He will also be my roomate. Until then I will be the only white man in Kumasi... what a responsibility. I'm currently working at a small government hospital which is rather bare bones. They only have a maturnity ward, a psych ward, a dermatologist, and a few resident doctors. They also have a small operating room, but only deal with minor surgeries. I'll talk more about my medical placement later on, after I've experienced a bit more.

That's the basics i suppose. Each country has offered a different experience. But this one feels very different from the others. I think I'm so used to being in a different culture that all the strange little quirks this place has tend to pass me by a bit. It's hard for me to keep from comparing ghana to the other countries I've been to, and even harder to relate to the other volunteers. I suppose it's just not as "fresh" for me as for them. I imagine I'll eventually settle into my own though and things will work out well. Otherwise, I have no real complaints. Hopefully somethig crazy will soon happen so i have an exciting story to relay. As for now, I hope everyone is well.