Blog Number 5
January 21st 2007


We had a pretty eventful weekend this weekend. On Friday Jenny ended up going home early from school because she was feeling unwell. So Friday night was very low key, more playing cards with Partey and Michael and we even taught one of the other house hands to play with us as well.
On Saturday Auntie Agnes knew a woman whose daughter was getting engaged so they were having the engagement ceremony. The engagement ceremony, for many people, is more important then the actual wedding. The engagement is all about bringing the two families together. Prior to the actual ceremony, the mans family will approach the woman’s family and metaphorically ask if their son can marry their daughter. The woman’s family will then create a list of things that the mans family will have to get for the woman’s family in order for this to happen. Once the mans family agrees to all of the things asked of them they will return to the woman’s family and set a date for the celebration. The Bride and Groom to-be are not actually allowed in the room while the exchanging of gifts is taken place. We were going to the actual celebration. Auntie Agnes instructed us to find out light, dress clothes because they always wear light clothes to these celebrations. The morning of the engagement party I woke up to find Jenny up already. She told me that she still was not feeling well and that she was just going to stay home rather then go to the party. So Auntie Agnes and I went with some of her mates from high school. We arrived about 30 minutes late and were some of the first people there. About an hour and a half later the groom-to-be’s family arrived and the celebration started. Everything took place inside of the house, and unless you were family, you were suppose to stay outside. After about a half an hour of trying to watch from outside, the brother of the bride-to-be came out to talk to Auntie Agnes. Then Auntie Agnes told me that the mother of the bride was inviting me to join her family inside so I would be able to actually see everything that was going on. This was so exciting to be invited and I immediately followed the brother indoors where not only would I be able to get some great pictures, but I could watch everything. I didn’t really understand too much because most of it took place in ga (a Ghanaian language) I thought it was very cool to see some of the gifts being brought. They ranged from multiple types of alcohol, luggage, and a watch (so that the bride could always watch her husband) , to the engagement ring and a hymn book and bible (Buy Investigate Believe Live Enjoy) The ceremony finished and everyone came outside to enjoy the traditional Ghanaian food, as well as plenty of beverages. Auntie Agnes taught me her favorite drink of beer and Fanta. So after arriving at about 9:30am we ended up leaving at 3:30pm. This was an awesome Ghanaian experience and I am so fortunate that Auntie Agnes invited me to join her.
On Sunday Jenny was feeling much better. We got up to go to church with Auntie Agnes and the kids. While getting ready for church Jenny told me that she had a confession and that she would be leaving Ghana in 3 days to head home. I questioned her and she said that this is not where she felt that she belonged. I tried to convince her opposite but she said that she has already booked the ticket.
At the protestant church we had a really good mass. At the end not only did the electricity go out, but we were asked to come forward and introduce ourselves. We also prayed as a church for a successful tournament that was starting, the African Cup of Nations.
After having a Auntie Agnes’s Traditional Sunday breakfast we headed out to the botanical gardens. It was about 30 minutes away and not the gardens that I was expecting. There were not many flowers, but rather a ton of different trees. On our way home we stopped where the traditional drums are made. I saw a gentleman carving a wood carving in the corner and ended up buying it from him for 4 Ghana cedes, unstained and just barely finished.
The start of the tournament was extremely cool. Not only did they have a whole 2-hour opening ceremony with many Ghanaian dancers and bands, but the opening game between Ghana and Guinee was so exciting. Ghana ended up winning in the end.

OK, so even though Jenny is leaving, I am actually very excited for this week. I love soccer and there is a ton of hype for this tournament so it is going to be fine. Plus my host family loves soccer so hopefully we will watch just about ever game on!

Hope life is good in the U.S!! STAY WARM!!!
:) Chelsea (: