So, I have been in Ghana for about five months. I am learning to love things I never thought I'd see, like an African sunrise, like a rainstorm that comes in like the end of the world, like children with big eyes and children on their backs. This country is nothing if not beautiful, and I am reminded of it every day. Near one of my favorite local homes there are hills as green and rolling as one can find in books on Ireland, and out my window is the yellow bush or national geographic pictures.
Many people have sent me their kind thoughts and words, via Facebook, whatsap, text message and that dethroned king of communication; snail mail. Thank you all so much. I am doing the best I can to represent my country and display kindness and respect. As my projects develop I will try to keep updated, although since this is the first actual post since I got here, that may be more wishful thinking than possibility.
For those of you who have asked what to send me, I love letters. I love pictures. I am working to cover one of my walls with photos from home, and when the children are especially well-behaved I allow them into my room to look at the pictures. They love the one where I am an infant in my Grandma Cannon's arms. "Tungteeya bilyow" they request "Tungteeya baby" (they named me Tungteeya). However, if you are wanting to send things that are scarce here, that would also be wonderful. I'll post a quick list of care package items, and some tips so that customs doesn't wind up grouchy.
Thank you again for keeping in touch with me, without love and support from home this would be way less fun!
Care package ideas, tips and tricks
Ideas;
-Instant juice mix (I drink a lot of it, but I also trade it with a local nomadic tribe, the fulanis, for milk)
-Chocolate (m&ms and sixlets do well in the heat. Individual packages items are especially hlful, there is little storage, so once it's opened, I have to eat it or forget it. So having Hershey's minis or small Halloween type candy is also good)
-Instant coffee (I love the flavored kinds!)
-Tea
-Protein or granola bars
-Smarties
-Batteries (AA or AAA)
-sriracha (I didn't realize I missed it until I was sent it!)
-High quality chocolate, with high cocoa content, melts less quickly
-Dried fruit survives well
-Sauce mix travels well (if I could get Kraft cheese, just the packet of cheese, I can buy pasta here and make Mac & cheese! It saves on space)
-Probiotics or emergen-c
-Books
-Yummy spices
-cornstarch
-Instant anything (like just add water, but I don't have an oven, so there's that)
As I think more I'll continue the list
Tips & tricks
-Individually packaged or small items
-Baked goods can (apparently) be vacuum packed and sent. If you are brave and try it, it sounds better to have a bunch of small things, as customs may want to sample some
-Glass items are not recommended. Even glass spice jars, they are too likely to break
-Small bugs love food items, so packing things in plastic (like Tupperware or ziplock bags) is helpful, and then I can use them!
-For the small space left in the box, I recommend plastic bags, ziplock bags, sauce packets or anything light
-Apparently US postal service has a $30 flat fee box with a very high weight limit
