Coming back to America felt odd. I now more appreciate things like a clean bed, cool weather, socks, cold milk, etc. I keep thinking of the conditions that we lived under in Kopeyia and that I had never before had a contrast to the "good" life of America. Now I can be a bit more thankful for the things I have. The sad thing is that the conditions that we lived under in Kopeyia were good in comparison with the rest of the country.

Personally, the experience constituted a significant break in routine and this was a source of learning within itself. Three weeks was the longest time that I had ever had outside of my home and away from the things that I am accustomed to. Upon getting home: Food tasted better, my guitar sounded better (after an initial practice), tap water tasted wonderful, friends were friendlier and roads were smoother. I cannot put into words the sensations that my body had getting back home. It was nice but I felt like I was leaving a little bit of myself behind in Ghana.

Some dynamic issues were left unresolved. Godwin’s death still was having repercussions. Anna (a student from California who became part of our group after we met her in Kopeyia) was unsure of where she would be staying and doing. The energy crisis was getting worse. The Ghanaians were feeling Nigeria’s political instability.

I will probably miss the static personality of Ghana most. Some things looked like they went on regardless of the world and would never change. The villagers are still drumming. The women that we saw cutting cassava are still cutting it. The ladies that sold bread by the side of the road are still selling it. Chickens and goats are everywhere. The flies are still bothering people for food...etc. There will always be good people and bad people. Life will go on in many ways as it always has. I appreciate this attitude of Ghana. It was quite different from the ever-changing ways that I now see in America.