The Many Layers of Settling In

Every couple of weeks I hit another layer of feeling like "we're finally settled". Then, another couple of weeks pass and I realize that we're settled again - at another level. I've discovered that being settled is a process a bit like peeling an onion. There is layer after layer and sometimes the act of peeling can make you cry! It's definitely been 6 months that have stretched our minds, challenged my sanity and wreaked havoc on our stomachs – especially Sophie’s But, all in all, we are settling into yet another layer of living in our new little homeland. Some of the things we've come to learn during our time here: The kids have learned that when they order food, they need to have plan a, b and c because there's a good chance what they want is "finished". They've learned not to be too tied to any particular expectation of what their food will actually be when it arrives (e.g. my chicken fajita today was a piece of fried chicken with spices and a side of fries), Xavier figured out that playing football barefoot makes your feet raw when you make 13 goals in a row. I've learned that it's more effective to use a horn than brakes or a turn signal - especially for dodging chickens and goats. I've also learned that the puppy needs to be dewormed every 2 weeks, the kids every 2 months.  We all know that at any given time, the electricity may go out, the water may stop running and the internet and/or mobile phone network will go down. The kids know all sorts of facts about Britain - from the meaning of "chamber pot" to the British involvement in WWII to referring to the mark at the end of a sentence as a "full stop" (I honestly don't think Xavier knows what a period is). Sophie has learned that she has a delicate stomach and can't eat the food at school or it will reappear during during class. I have learned to be very, very fluid and not hold too tightly to any particular thing happening at any particular day or time. I've also learned that it takes a village - not just to raise children but to simply live a life! And, we've all learned from the Ghanaians around us that people can be very happy and have hearts filled with joy even without video games, tvs, fancy cars and fancy clothes. Perhaps that is the most important layer of this particular onion…..

Riding into the New Year

Aaaah, after spending an amazing week at Axim Beach on Ghana's West Coast (near the Cote d'Ivoire border), we are getting back into the school/work routine.  The kids had a full month off due to a mis-guided swine flu scare and we (ok, I) decided that is WAY too much unstructured time.  I had a much needed break over the holidays and am starting the year rejuvenated and ready for the many project deadlines coming up in the next several months. 

The kids started horseback riding lessons a few weeks ago.  I take them to the nearby military base where I pay about $5.50 each for them to have a 1 hour lesson.  At that price, we're going twice a week!  A colleague from the US just returned from a visit to the States with new paddock boots &; riding pants for the kids - items not found in Ghana.  As I was sitting at the base, watching the kids ride, the sun set, women & kids waiting in line for water and the base camel walking around, I realized that we have officially moved from the "survival" phase (e.g. where do I get toilet paper, how do I drive here, what line do I stand in at the bank) into the "there's more to life than work/school/sleep/procuring supplies" phase.  We finally have a few signs that we are settling in - horseback riding, a new tent (currently pitched in the living room) for beach camping , dinner at a friends' house, a few key Twi phrases and my driving has progressed from "Vashon Island Casual" to "Accra Combat" - using the horn instead of the breaks.  We are practically native (ha!).