Celebration of Life

Before posting about inspiring things occurring here in Ghana, I thought I\d post quickly about an experience that happens to me (and many white young women) multiple times per day... having men give me their phone numbers.  It\s hilarious, I have gotten two numbers today just on my walk home from school (which when it is light out is so pleasant, everyone waves hello and is so friendly... it\s just the way of life here).  The man will say something like \Hello, I would like to be your friend,\ and will ask for my phone number.  I will then proceed to say that I do not have a phone here, and the man insists on giving me his number and makes sure that I understand that he wants me to call him.  It is pretty funny, the men here are way too forward for anyone to think that this is an attractive gesture. Oh well! Maybe I\ll collect all the numbers and make an artwork with them at the end of the trip!
On Sunday we went to our first Ghanaian funeral, which is genuinely a celebration of life.  The whole community comes together under one of the large, beautiful trees that exist here, and play music, dance, and sing.  The celebration continues all day and into the night.  The music is repetitive and puts you into a relaxed, almost trance-like state.  It is so powerful, and in the beginning I was so captivated that I felt as if I was meditating on the vibrations.  This meditation continued but was infused with dancing, clapping, and singing... if I was guaranteed to have a funeral like this, I would be so content! Although death in America seems more scary and saddening than anything else, I feel that taking the chance to celebrate each life is such an important thing to do, and a funeral seems like the prime opportunity to bring a community together and honor life.
On Friday we are off to our second homestay in Kumasi, which is a city that is supposedly a hub for visual arts... I am so excited!  Yemi, our Academic Director, asked me what I was looking for during my next homestay.  I told him that I wanted Kids! And a loud family!  I didn\t realize how much I missed having a talkative, lively family until I was in this homestay where the family is very quiet, which is what some people prefer... but not me.  I appreciate everything they have done for me, but I am excited for my next family.  I feel that the staff of my program takes great care to make sure we are all doing well, and I feel extremely nurtured.  I really dont worry about much here, because I know if I need anything they are here to support each of us in any way we need. 
Finally, I just want to take the time to tell everyone back home to make sure to appreciate basic things like water, and electricity!  Our electricity was out for 2 days, and although bathing with a flashlight was a really funny experience, sleeping without a fan blowing the warm air around was tough!  But honestly, getting used to life here has been so smooth, thanks to my group, my program staff, and the attitude here in Ghana to go with the flow of life, and just enjoy! Love