Is it still July?

I've been busy, here's the q and d.

I traveled down to Accra for Mid service Medical. It was fun, I hung out with Meghan, Corey, Kyle and Jack and relaxed (read drank). I'm healthy except for some little amoebas in my lower intestine. I took some pills so now they're probably gone. I pooped in a cup three times and had my teeth cleaned while drinking cappuchino. I haven't lost any weight to speak of, it's just redistributed a little.

Rachel arrived and I picked her up at the airport. She said it was hot but I hadn't noticed. We hung out in Accra for a day, went to Adda Foah beach near Kyle's site for a day, came back to Accra to see Obama. Rachel got food poisoning and threw up outside the US Embassy and a whole bunch of PCVs waited around for 5 hrs and finally we went to the airport and saw the POTUS, as one security guy said. Obama gave a short speach and then shook some hands. I wasn't able to shake his hand, but it was an amazing experience none the less. We cheered everytime he mentioned Peace Corps. my telling of it is brief, but feel free to ask questions.

Rachel and I traveled to Cape Coast, toured the slave castle and walked on the beach. Then we traveled to Erin's site and stayed with her for a day. Then we proceeded to Kumasi, Bolga and finally up to my house. On the way, our bus hit another truck and we delayed in Kintampo for 5 hrs and saw the falls. It was pretty cool. The other truck was pretty banged up but I didn't see any blood, so I think the driver made it. Our bus was only minorly damaged. It was a whirlwind trip for Rachel, and I was tired of traveling too, by the end. I showed Rachel around my house, then we traveled back to Tamale and I put her on a tro to Kumasi and eventually back to Accra. She made the return trip by herself, she's such a world traveler! It was great to have her visit, even for the short time she was here.

Now I'm getting back into things here at site. This week and next week are final exams for my students and then after that, holidays for over a month! I plan to stay at site and relax (read play guitar and read). I've also got plenty of small projects around the house to keep me busy.

I'll get some more pictures up, including Obama, eventually, but my pendrive is sick so it won't cooperate today. I think it has malaria.

love,
-Toby

stars photos

Here are some more photos from the STARS Conference. I've got more to come and I'll tell you all about what I've been doing in the last few busy weeks. I saw Obama...

love,
Toby

STARS and Mid Med

The STARS Conference in Kumasi was a lot of fun and I think my students, Grace and Alfred, benefitted a lot from the experience. check out the STARS website for lots more details about the event. I even wrote some of the content.

I only got a few days at site and now I'm traveling again. At the TSO, we had a little 4th party on the 2nd, and then I'm going down for an actual 4th tomorrow at the KSO. Should be a good time and fun bbq. I'm not missing anything at school, we have mid term break for the rest of the week. Actually, I'm on my way to Accra for my Mid-service Medical check up. They're gonna give me a physical, sample some body fluids, and look at my teeth, too! We are scheduled in groups to have the mid med done, so it's a chance for me to hang out with some friends in Accra for 3 days. They have fancy stuff in Accra like cheeseburgers and shopping malls.

Also pretty awesome, Rachel is coming to visit me! she gets into Accra about the time i finish with the med, so I'm gonna take her with me down to the beach and then back up to site, give her a little ghana tour.

Also, to celebrate my birthday, I gave myself a little gift. When I first got to site, I put half of my underwear away to protect them from rigorous handwashing. For my birthday, i gave myself almost new undies! They feel really nice, I'm wearing some right now! I also put a new blade in my razor. smooth.

Love,
Toby