“Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read.”
This morning I could smell the ocean. I didn’t want to come inside, but I reluctantly pulled myself away. It rained last night as it will every day this week. Today is still cloudy but a bit lighter than it’s been, and the street is beginning to dry. Gracie found the baby possum last night. I heard her making a weird sounding bark and went outside. I rescued the possum, but I don’t know how much life it had left. It moved when I grabbed it by its tail and put out it outside the yard. Gracie had only played with it, but her paws were no match for the baby possum.
I made an appointment to get my yellow fever shot for Ghana. Though the trip is still months away, every completed detail makes me more and more excited. Forty or so former volunteers will be in-country for the 50th celebration. I noticed one who served before I did. In different postings we have been referred to as the ancients and the old girls and old boys of Ghana. A current volunteer from the Upper West has offered me her expertise. She is posted in Wa where I’d visited a few times. Bolga is now in the Upper East. Long ago the whole area was just the Upper Region.
My group was the first in Peace Corps history to train completely in-country, and I sent the story to Ghana as the 50th committee was looking for historical perspectives. The story was accepted and is now posted on the Peace Corps Ghana site. I got a chuckle that it is described as part of Stories Through the Ages. Just click on an RPCV Story 1969-1971. Here is the link: http://ghana.peacecorps.gov/ThroughAges.php
Today I will be out and about doing a few errands. I think cloudy or rainy days lend themselves to errands. I have a list. Gracie, of course, will be my navigator. When I get home, I’ll just laze and read. I can’t think of a better way to spend a damp and rainy afternoon.
Explore posts in the same categories: MusingsTags: Ghana, Gracie, Peace Corps, possum, Yellow fever
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keepthecoffeecoming.blog 
May 17, 2011 at 1:32 pm
I really like Your story! I would have loved doing something like that when I was younger! But we still have nothing like it I´m afraid.
Grey and windy here today but I don´t thin any rain has fallen. I´ve a fire in the stove and I hope there´s something worth looking at on tv 🙂
Have a great day!
Christer.
May 17, 2011 at 4:33 pm
Christer,
The story doesn’t tell of my amazement at being in Africa, actually being in Africa. I remember the sights, the smells and the crowds. I can’t believe I’ll be back there in three months!
Ugly all day today!
May 17, 2011 at 4:12 pm
It’s a good read but I anticipated something longer. It reminded me of the hassles we went through to get Rebecca her medical records and camping equipment, a long list, to have done in 30 days. But I shall never forget being a Peace Corps Dad.
May 17, 2011 at 4:31 pm
Z&Me,
It’s only about training, not all the preparations we went through before I left. I remember my mother going through the list the PC provided (camping equipment wasn’t on mine). We bought sheets, towels, sandals and enough personal stuff like deodorant for two years. I had to get my physical then we noticed the doctor hadn’t signed it so we tracked him down on a Saturday at his office where he was mowing his lawn. We also got my fingerprints done that day at the state police barracks. The officer at the desk said they seldom get requests. I would have written all that, but they wanted only the Ghanaian part.
May 17, 2011 at 7:56 pm
No Star Trek quote: “It’s no use, Captain, I Ghana do more.”
Cheers
May 18, 2011 at 12:44 pm
so exciting to hear of the beginnings of your adventure, perhaps this will encourage you to write more of your time there, i truly enjoy hearing stories of your travels, your students and the people who shared your days; it makes the world smaller and smaller.
rain rain go away come back in July
xoxoxoxoxoxox
May 18, 2011 at 5:45 pm
splendid,
I will keep a journal and post it just as I did after Morocco and the pictures will go on my picture blog.
I find it amazing that my dream of returning is coming true.
May 18, 2011 at 3:13 pm
Stand back Kat…here come my Detroit Tigers !
May 18, 2011 at 5:38 pm
My Dear Hedley,
Bats are on the ready!
May 18, 2011 at 5:44 pm
Minicapt,
Now that was quite clever!
May 19, 2011 at 10:23 am
Great read as it is everyday Kat.
Your ‘Training’ essay was just brilliant.
Thanks for sharing as always.
May 19, 2011 at 10:28 am
Thanks, Pete
I was pleased they accepted my story as a part of the 50th celebration in Ghana. Going back will be a dream come true!