Simone

If you haven’t been to Africa, you must go; at least once in your life.  I’m positive it will change your perspective on many things.

My mother used to recount her first trip to Africa with the same wisp of nostalgia each time she told the story. I dare say her virgin experience was in Morocco, but I was so young don’t quote me.  What I do remember with crystal clarity is her life was forever changed and her goal was to settle down in the Motherland.  Africa calmed and soothed her Spirit and her Soul in ways no other location could.  She felt like she belonged. She hated coming back to America and I understood that feeling for the first time ever when I had to return to this country last month after 16 fulfilling days in Ghana with my family.

My husband of 14 years is an African-American.  His mother is Ghanaian and his father is American.  He was raised in both countries and is just as comfortable speaking broken English or Fanti as he makes moves in Ghana as he is anywhere in America.  The first time he took me to Ghana we’d been together 6 years, and I remember looking at him slack jawed as he haggled the price for a TV at the local outdoor market.  I’ll share a little trivia: His family hosted my mother before we met.  His cousin, Marc was not only my mother’s designer and stylist, but he was also my best friend and he introduced me to the Family.  His sister, DaMali, was my mother’s hair and makeup person. Looking back one could say Rob and I were on a collision course.  I will expound on all of the above when I write my book……it promises to be a doozy!

This past Christmas/New Year holiday ReAnna and I joined my husband in Ghana.  The day we arrived was sunny and hot as this is now the dry season.  It felt so good to be out of America with all of its responsibilities and pressures; even if just for a little while.

While there I didn’t have to cook, clean, go food shopping (the bane of my existence), drive, deal with my mother’s affairs, or worry about our daughter.  My cell phone didn’t work because I don’t have an international plan and I didn’t bother checking e-mails having notified “the rest of the world” I would not be available…………….a real vacation!  As with all things, there’s a positive and a negative.  While I didn’t have to “do” anything, I got a good sense of why some folks get fat and lethargic when living life with all the help you could ever need. The dynamics of your life change and you have to find ways to stay in shape – but, you know what? After 47 years of “this” life, I’ll take it AND rise to the challenge; a much easier one to best than many of the “daily grind” ones that are so intrinsic to life.

We are building our first home there.  I saw it and walked through the unfinished rooms as the concrete was hardening and the many bamboo poles were in place to ensure precision and safety.  Having worked in construction while in the USAF I am very familiar with all the phases involved, and it feels good to be able to pull from that knowledge and apply it to something so personal.  I marveled how in Ghana bamboo is used in abundance during construction and made sure to take pictures just for you!
We spent Christmas in the Western Region at my mother-in-law’s house.  It was the first Christmas spent in a home she’s been building for 4 years – what a feeling of accomplishment!  Mind you, there were still some minor issues (familiar to all new structures) that had to be fixed, but who is working during the Christmas Holidays?  The water was still off during the day, so huge containers of it were sent for in order to wash dishes, flush toilets and bathe.  These “little” things are things we don’t even give a second thought to here in the US.  WHAT?  No water?  No electricity? Are you kidding?  Nope!!!!
You may be wondering why I like Ghana so much, considering.  Well, there remains a sense of community that was once so prevalent here.  When I witness how the people come together to protect and support each other, it warms my heart. The food is organic and fresh - a pineapple has so much flavor your taste buds are on overload. The weather is right up my alley – HOT! The landscape is lush and fertile.  History and a deep faith in God is everywhere.  Practically every taxi, bus, boat, and business one sees has some religious quote as its name or slogan. People of all hues abound everywhere you look. I have NEVER seen people work so hard and still be able to find joy in simply being alive.  And, things get done without all of the hi-tech equipment, just as effectively and most times much faster.  The art of masonry, carpentry, weaving, sewing, drumming, cooking et al is all around. Culture taking place without pretext or pretense and you don’t realize how much our lives lack that until you experience it.

While in Ghana, I had NO hives!!  Hallelujah!! Now THAT’S a vacation!  Ironically, the day ReAnna and I returned was not without its stresses.  Upon arriving at New York’s JFK our plane was so late we missed our connecting flight and had to stay overnight.  While waiting for our baggage my lip began to swell as the hives announced their return along with my luggage.  MESSAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fortunately, that was the last attack I’ve had.  By God’s Grace, they are gone; at least the subconscious connection has been severed and I no longer wake up with them.  I no longer have to worry about what I eat. I can wear socks and my favorite blue jeans without having a reaction when I take them off at the end of the day.  It’s such a blessing; I’m on the other side and I will never forget what it was like. Ghana, and all is offers is good for me, it calms my Spirit and Soul.

Hope your well, cuz I AM

Simone

Check my Facebook Photo Album for a HOST of pictures from this wonderful experience:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/simonesworld?v=photos&ref=ts