Hello and Welcome to my Blog....if you're reading this, well done you should be :)

So, before getting to the actual landing in Ghana, thought I'd enlighten you as to an interesting incident at Heathrow Airport. So, as you know I have been in my 'Ignorance is Bliss' stage for far too long, so much so that I had not (and probably still do not) fully know how/why I am here and what exactly I will be doing. Its all good and have not been nervous/anxious in the slightest. However as I got closer  to the airport the nerves were  kicking in. I was fine in the departure lounge then as soon as my Gate was called, the full realisation of what I was getting myself into well and truely kicked in and my whole body felt lasia and felt tears welling up. Sat down and in the lamest attempt ever to calm my nerves I popped a Strawberry Mentos in my mouth......What a fail of epic propotions. No sooner had the mentos entered my mouth that my erratic breathing had caused me to choke on my own salivia and I began to choke. Now I am not exaggerating for comic effect... I was proper, red in the face, gagging for air, tears streaming down my face - choking. Ran to the toilet where I had a major coughing fit, composed myself and got in the line to board. Lesson: Do not use Mentos as a calming method, it will only result in you looking like a flustered weirdo whilst boarding a plane full of judgemental strangers,

Arrived in Ghana and my god the heat! It is quite literally like being behind a bus 24/7 - levante ain't got nothing on this! Anyways was greeted by my leader - Emily and we wasted no time in getting acquainted. Went straight from the airport to a local bar where they initaited me into the MAD tribe with a 'springbox' shot - which I commented was exactly like a 'Quick Fuck' in Gib and shall therefore henceforth be known as such...making a difference already! :) After a few beers and more quick fuck's with the Chief we headed to a bar/club where we drinked, danced and bonded the night away. Strolled into the Hostel at 4am with a smile of my face knowing the next 4 months are going to be ones to remember :)

Spent the next 3 days road tripping along the Ghanian coast, with Emily and the Chief. Lapping in luxury staying in nice resorts on double beds with aircon, running water and flushing toilets. Even visited Elmina Castle - a fort where slaves were kept before being shipped off to the New World. I'd done a module on this in university and never thought I'd see it in real life - was an unexpected highlight of the road trip. 

Yesterday arrived in Ho, the villiage where I will be volunteering in for the next 6 weeks. The house is lovely and Emily and I already have big plans to make it even more homely - planning on getting paint this weekend and leaving our mark by 'hi fiving' the wall (my idea of course!)

Visited a few orphanages yesterday as well as the project site where we will be building and cannot wait to get stuck in! Every villiage we go to, little kids follow us yelling "Javu Javu!" which means "white person" ...its so cute.

Oh and Africans are extremely forward, I've already been stalked for pictures (I'm a regular celebrity here!), suggested I became Queen Mother of a local villiage, as well proposed to by a police officer when we were pulled over for speeding. The Chief paid the fine and as he got back into the car I get a tap on my window, roll it down and he gives me his number "in case I ever want to chat".....right :s

Missing you all muhcly, Much Love,

Caf aka "Javu"

xxxx