Goodbye to Kumasi

Today marks the last day of the first part of our amazing adventure in West Africa. We have had the time of our lives in Kumasi, surpassing all expectations by far. We have seen so many things, were helped so many times by an amazing family who befriended us and took great care to show us all aspects of Ghanian life. Last night we went out to dinner with the entire extended family to celebrate our stay in Kumasi. The grandfather and grandmother arrived in traditional Ashanti robes, and were joined by three generations of their progeny, including the people who befriended us. It is such a large family that every time we were driving around with our friends we would inevitably pass one family member or another who was walking by the side of the road. We would stop the car and everyone would get out and introduce ud to their aunt or uncle or cousin and we would try out our few words of Twi that we learned, "otise" (how are you) and "medasi" (thank you) when they welcomed us to Ghana. Our word were always followed by peals of laughter, everyone bumping into each other and slapping hands. Of course we laughed along with them at our attempts, and shook hands and squeezed back into the car, and continued on our next adventure.

Anyway, at the restaurant there was a very formal ritual to wish us well on the next part of the journey. Our friends made formal introductions to everyone, then the grandfather said a prayer. Our friend said how much we have helped the two nations get to know each other, and we each made formal speeches about how blessed we were to know their family, and how amazed we are with the warmth and beauty of their country. We ate a delicious meal of jollof rice, fish, chicken and french fries! We had many interesting conversations including recent news about trading cocoa in Cote d'Ivoire and controlling child trafficking in the cocoa trade. The meal ended with a prayer, many hugs, photos, and promises to somehow find ways to see each other again. And even some tears. We will miss our new and dear friends in Ghana.

Next stop, Burkina Faso.