and here I am...

It is my first day in Africa and the second of my travels. I have trekked quite a while to reach a small pod of computers with internet access, just to ensure that my mum doesn't worry too much about me.

The flight was really, really long. Especially when you're left to dwell on your own thoughts. I was smooshed between strangers from Adelaide to Melbourne, from Melbourne to Dubai and from Dubai to Accra. While I did manage to sleep it was broken and uncomfortable as both of my armrests were commandeered by the people confining me. I didn't get ill on the plane and as of yet I have no DVTs, which is I am told a very good thing. The car ride from the airport to my host family, however, made my head spin and my tummy tumble and I feared my food might make a reappearance. There are so many people in the capital city and its quite hot. The heady mixture of sweltering temperatures, exhaust fumes and crowds of beggars and sellers crowding the car was just a bit overwhelming. Yet after two hours of driving and a gallant effort on my part all remained well and I arrived to meet my host family.

I'm staying in a room with 2 other volunteers. Thankfully, the place is much less rudimentary than I'd imagined. Of course there is no running water or electricity but there is an actual semi-toilet and an enclosed space for me and my bucket to have some privacy.

On the walk up here I did observe the glaring contrasts between home and here. I'm not used to stray animal- chickens, goats, cows to household pets- littering the streets. I'm even less used to the piles upon piles of people that swelled along the roads. There are stalls everywhere, with people trying to see you everything from super glue to sugary drinks. As we left the airport a woman in a wheelchair begged persistently and creepily into my side window, and it took all my effort to say no and look ahead. An experience that I must get used to as it will be very common.

Not much else has happened so until next time, adios.