It seems as though the longer I am here the hotter it gets

Then again, as I write that title I am sitting in my room without the AC unit on. I am sweating but it isn't unbearable. Luckily, it is supposed to rain in the next few days (although Dan says that an 80% chance is really a 10% chance). This is the Savanna, and it is the dry season. Rain or not, it cooled off around 4 and by cooling off I mean it went from 98 to 90 degrees. Still, that 8 degree difference is HUGE. Today was a national holiday. Their 53rd Independence Day was on Saturday and so the government closed today in honor of the holiday. So we all took the day easy, Dan and I both had to get over jet lag (he had been in the States as well, hence the reason I could drive up with him and his wife yesterday).

Dianne is making me "American" food for the time being, she says once I am over jet lag and used to being here I can start to eat true Ghanian food. I got to go downtown today and see the market. This is truly a different world, although somewhat similar to Nicaragua.

I found out today that everything, including what I eat, is cleaned with bleached water. The water is so contaminated here, that they have to wash their vegetables and fruit in bleached water to kill any bacteria. It doesn't taste any different and it has to be done. I also realized a mistake I had made. On the way here, Dianne mentioned that Dan thought he spoiled their daughter Jiffer (pronounced Jiff-ah). When we got here, Dianne would almost bark oders at her daughter, constantly on her to clean every dish, help Dan bring in things. It was crazy. And then Dianne and I were talking tonight and she mentioned Jiffer. I found out that it had taken Dianne a long time to adjust to that behavior - the fact is that it is the Ghanian way: the women do most of the work. And, if Jiffer is to marry, her husband will expect that out of her. For Jiffer, this is nothing different or wrong, it is the way of life. Sure, her mother may be Canadian, but she is still Ghanian at heart. I had taken my own culture and superceded it over theirs!

Shock aside, I start working tomorrow at the headquarters for GILLBT. I am excited to see what will come of this!