Day 14

Tuesday May 14^th, 2013

Today was a shop til you drop day.  We headed out to the wood carving area Ahwiaa.  There were shops everywhere and guys clamoring for us to come in! A lot of it was really nice mahogany wood.  I had a really fun time haggling people down.  I got a mask for myself and then a few other little items for people in the family and for some friends.  They would say anything to get my to buy an item.  They talked about Obama and that its their birthdays or that their name is Spencer.  It got really tiring after a while but I had to realize they are just trying to make money.  I felt like I had spent a lot but realizing that the conversion rate is half made me feel so much better.  Stuff here really is a steal.  Then we head to Bonwire for the Kente Fabric.  This place was really cool.  I watched them hand make fabric from string on the very large looms.  At first I didn’t know what I would use it for but it seemed pretty cool.  I ended up finding a fabric I liked and after some bartering I got the guy to sew to pieces together to make a big blanket.  I was pretty satisfied.  While he was sewing it all together I went outside and was reading with a bunch of the little kids.  I had a lot of fun doing that.  They were all so nice and so sweet.  On our way home Richard went with me to get a sim card for my phone.  I found out, luckily, that my Verizon phone comes unlocked.  So I was able to spend 20 CD which is 10 dollars.  That gives me 1.5 Gigs of internet and 30 minutes to call to America.  So freaking cheap!! I could not believe it.  We were in the phone store but they didn’t have a cutter to trim down my sim so some guy that was buying something said he would give Richard and I a ride.  So we got in his car and rode to the other side of campus.  We didn’t say one word to the guy.  We got out and said thanks.  Richard said that people in Ghana are so nice that that is common behavior.  I learned that college costs 4000 CD per year as well.  Then Richard and I got talking out our way back home.  He is such a neat guy.  He dropped out of junior high to help his mom raise his two younger brothers when their dad ran out.  He has put both brothers through college and raised a 7 year old daughter.  His dream is to finish high school and start a bus company.  He needs money for it but its so hard for him to get.  I wish I could help him out.  One day I will have the funds to do it.  He is so great and even $1000 can make a lifetime of difference to this man.  He has such a strong faith and he puts it all in Heavenly Father.  He made me promise not to forget him when I return.  That is one promise I will not break.  We got home just in time because it started to thunder and rain.  I was able to finish all my assignments for this week and I feel really great about that.  I just have one more to do and I will be done for the rest of the trip.  The power keeps turning on and off while Kevin is trying to do laundry.  Pretty hilarious kid.  I am having so much fun!