I posted new pictures on Facebook from vacation with the family.
Today is superbowl sunday, but i won't watch because it comes on at 11 pm tonight and i have classes to teach tomorrow. I hear the Who are the half time show, you'll have to tell me all about it another time.
I'm back to the teaching and it's going well. Also painting the world map on my school, that's fun. My time here is winding down, feels like i only have a little to go, its acutally about 7 months. oh man. when i come back, we should hang out.
love, Toby
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Long Vacation
I guess I'm not technically on vacation anymore, but I'm still away from site and it feels like so long since I've taught any kids anything at school. My family visit ended and all have gone back to the mighty us, overall it went amazingly well and we did a lot of cool stuff. It was so wonderful to see my family.
We took our time traveling south from Sirigu, spending a day in Bolga to go to the craft village and market and getting clothing made by Rashid. He made a cute skirt for my mom and a very colorful shirt for my dad, Jamie got some nice stuff made too. We went down to Tamale and spent some time in the market there. Mom made some people mad by taking their picture without permission, but that happens. We went out for excellent chinese and invited my ...friend Mercy and some other pcv teachers who were around to join us. It was nice to see them and my parents enjoyed meeting some of my friends. We traveled by bus and tro but the travel was hard on my fam, I knew it would be. Long legs and sore backs suffered.
In Kumasi we stayed in a hotel by a park with really big cows in it. Jamie and I went out for a pub crawl with the guys for Kyle's Birthday. Happy birthday, dork. Next day we continued on to Cape Coast where we chilled and relaxed on the beach and spent several days. My family liked the beach a lot. I feel like I have filled my beach quota for the rest of my service, but i imagine I'll end up there again anyway. I hope Lauren doesn't want to go to the beach. jk. My aunt and uncle flew in for a week and joined us in CC. We went to Kakum natioal forest and walked on the canopy walk early in the morning. It was beautiful and really high, certainly a cool place to see. We had our binoculars at the ready, but we didn't see much for wildlife, dad was a little dissapointed there. We also toured the castle and enjoyed the beach resort night life. I danced with some rastas at the beachside club, the other white people danced some too. There was one african woman present for a short time, and she wanted to dance with me, she was a good dancer but i found out later that she was married. Her husband bought me a drink.
Jamie took a tro back to Accra a week before the rents went back, and we stayed another night at a fancy beach resort, like i said, a lot of beach time. Then we traveled up to Koforidua, stayed in a nice place and visited the bead market. Dad found a good spot to watch birds by the hotel and he was happy. I watched Fight Club and Juno on satelitte TV. Then we went back to Accra and they all flew back home. Except me, I'm still in Ghana.
I'm so happy that my family was able to come see me and experience what i am doing here. I know now that I will be able to talk to them about more of the challenges I faced here and they will know what i'm talking about. The trip was a hands down success. They got sick for only a day each, nothing serious. We visited all the main places we planned. Travel was rough at times, but we got where we needed to go. They also tried most of the local food I love, although we did eat at some pretty fancy expensive places too. I feel a little spoiled on food.
Now I'm getting myself back into mindset to teach and be a poor pcv again. I'm still in Accra for VAC and won't get back to teaching until next week, but it feels more noraml for me now. It also feels like the whole experience is accelerating. Only about 7 months to go, two school terms and lots of visits and events to fill the gaps. I've got to start making serious plans about what i'm doing after this. looking for a job, maybe back to school, where should i live? anyone want to hire me? I'll get back to yall about all that, but i'm always open to sugguestions.
Love and kisses,
-Toby
We took our time traveling south from Sirigu, spending a day in Bolga to go to the craft village and market and getting clothing made by Rashid. He made a cute skirt for my mom and a very colorful shirt for my dad, Jamie got some nice stuff made too. We went down to Tamale and spent some time in the market there. Mom made some people mad by taking their picture without permission, but that happens. We went out for excellent chinese and invited my ...friend Mercy and some other pcv teachers who were around to join us. It was nice to see them and my parents enjoyed meeting some of my friends. We traveled by bus and tro but the travel was hard on my fam, I knew it would be. Long legs and sore backs suffered.
In Kumasi we stayed in a hotel by a park with really big cows in it. Jamie and I went out for a pub crawl with the guys for Kyle's Birthday. Happy birthday, dork. Next day we continued on to Cape Coast where we chilled and relaxed on the beach and spent several days. My family liked the beach a lot. I feel like I have filled my beach quota for the rest of my service, but i imagine I'll end up there again anyway. I hope Lauren doesn't want to go to the beach. jk. My aunt and uncle flew in for a week and joined us in CC. We went to Kakum natioal forest and walked on the canopy walk early in the morning. It was beautiful and really high, certainly a cool place to see. We had our binoculars at the ready, but we didn't see much for wildlife, dad was a little dissapointed there. We also toured the castle and enjoyed the beach resort night life. I danced with some rastas at the beachside club, the other white people danced some too. There was one african woman present for a short time, and she wanted to dance with me, she was a good dancer but i found out later that she was married. Her husband bought me a drink.
Jamie took a tro back to Accra a week before the rents went back, and we stayed another night at a fancy beach resort, like i said, a lot of beach time. Then we traveled up to Koforidua, stayed in a nice place and visited the bead market. Dad found a good spot to watch birds by the hotel and he was happy. I watched Fight Club and Juno on satelitte TV. Then we went back to Accra and they all flew back home. Except me, I'm still in Ghana.
I'm so happy that my family was able to come see me and experience what i am doing here. I know now that I will be able to talk to them about more of the challenges I faced here and they will know what i'm talking about. The trip was a hands down success. They got sick for only a day each, nothing serious. We visited all the main places we planned. Travel was rough at times, but we got where we needed to go. They also tried most of the local food I love, although we did eat at some pretty fancy expensive places too. I feel a little spoiled on food.
Now I'm getting myself back into mindset to teach and be a poor pcv again. I'm still in Accra for VAC and won't get back to teaching until next week, but it feels more noraml for me now. It also feels like the whole experience is accelerating. Only about 7 months to go, two school terms and lots of visits and events to fill the gaps. I've got to start making serious plans about what i'm doing after this. looking for a job, maybe back to school, where should i live? anyone want to hire me? I'll get back to yall about all that, but i'm always open to sugguestions.
Love and kisses,
-Toby
Monday, January 4, 2010
The Koy Family comes to Ghana!
What a dramatic title for a blog entry!
We've been having fun and not too many snags. Here's a quick overview. Mom, Dad, and Jamie arrived in Accra after lots of bus, plane and airport time and passing through London. they got in a few hours late, so i had fun hanging out it Accra airport waiting for them (not really). We stayed in a pretty nice hotel in Osu and then went to Adda Foah for a few days, stayed at Maranatha beach camp. Dad liked the sand and friendly staff. Jamie and I danced with Antoinette, mom took pictures with her new camera.
Traveled back to Accra and struggled to get cash, missed the Forex by a few minutes and the African ATM did not agree with the people in the bank back in Stevens Point, but we got enough money to buy plane tickets. We took the flight from Accra to Tamale, GHc262 one way, about an hour flight. It was actually really nice, just like any flight. We did have to get up at 4 am but it all worked out pretty good. We saw Andy in the airport with his family, too, doing the same thing we were doing. I spent more money than i make in a month (my parent's money actually) to travel for 1 hr to a place it would normally take me 12 hrs on a bus to reach. Pretty cool. also cool to get from Accra to Sirigu all in one day.
We relaxed in Sirigu, went to the market, sat on some crocodiles and met my good friends. Bismark took us on an excellent tour of his family home, and we got a chance to see some traditional dancing at the Natunia festival. My parents stayed at SWOPA and Jamie stayed with me at my house. We tried some food. Mom likes red red. Jamie had some stomache issues one day, dad said it was from the goat, but we disagreed.
Now we are traveling back south, Bolga today, Tamale tomorrow, Kumasi and Cape Coast after that. Rashid is making us some nice ghanawear and we'll get some gifts and things in the market. maybe a basket or a pot. We'll meet more friends along the way. hope they all can handle long bus rides, we'll use STC mostly.
Love and etc to all,
-Toby
We've been having fun and not too many snags. Here's a quick overview. Mom, Dad, and Jamie arrived in Accra after lots of bus, plane and airport time and passing through London. they got in a few hours late, so i had fun hanging out it Accra airport waiting for them (not really). We stayed in a pretty nice hotel in Osu and then went to Adda Foah for a few days, stayed at Maranatha beach camp. Dad liked the sand and friendly staff. Jamie and I danced with Antoinette, mom took pictures with her new camera.
Traveled back to Accra and struggled to get cash, missed the Forex by a few minutes and the African ATM did not agree with the people in the bank back in Stevens Point, but we got enough money to buy plane tickets. We took the flight from Accra to Tamale, GHc262 one way, about an hour flight. It was actually really nice, just like any flight. We did have to get up at 4 am but it all worked out pretty good. We saw Andy in the airport with his family, too, doing the same thing we were doing. I spent more money than i make in a month (my parent's money actually) to travel for 1 hr to a place it would normally take me 12 hrs on a bus to reach. Pretty cool. also cool to get from Accra to Sirigu all in one day.
We relaxed in Sirigu, went to the market, sat on some crocodiles and met my good friends. Bismark took us on an excellent tour of his family home, and we got a chance to see some traditional dancing at the Natunia festival. My parents stayed at SWOPA and Jamie stayed with me at my house. We tried some food. Mom likes red red. Jamie had some stomache issues one day, dad said it was from the goat, but we disagreed.
Now we are traveling back south, Bolga today, Tamale tomorrow, Kumasi and Cape Coast after that. Rashid is making us some nice ghanawear and we'll get some gifts and things in the market. maybe a basket or a pot. We'll meet more friends along the way. hope they all can handle long bus rides, we'll use STC mostly.
Love and etc to all,
-Toby
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Happy Boxing Day!
I don't actually know what Boxing Day is, or how to celebrate it normally. The guards at the office reminded me that it was a holiday today too. Happy Christmas to all yall who celebrate it. Happy Chanukah for all of you as well. Other holidays, the same. Yesterday I celebrated with friends and pcvs in Tamale, ate chinese food and candy, watched movies: most of Elf, and Love, Actually. Good stuff. Santa even came and left some beef jerky in my stocking.
The real celebration is tonight and after. My mother, father, and brother are arriving at Accra Kotoko airport anmd I will be there to meet them. I am very very excited to see my family!! It has been over a year and a half since I left and came here to Ghana and I miss them so much. We are going to travel around Ghana and have a great time. I want to show them everything and everyone that I know here and that is important to me. I just hope that all the logistics aren't too exhausting and frustrating. I'm sure i can make it work.
Enjoy yourself and those around you. give yourself a hug and kiss for me.
love,
-Toby
The real celebration is tonight and after. My mother, father, and brother are arriving at Accra Kotoko airport anmd I will be there to meet them. I am very very excited to see my family!! It has been over a year and a half since I left and came here to Ghana and I miss them so much. We are going to travel around Ghana and have a great time. I want to show them everything and everyone that I know here and that is important to me. I just hope that all the logistics aren't too exhausting and frustrating. I'm sure i can make it work.
Enjoy yourself and those around you. give yourself a hug and kiss for me.
love,
-Toby
Saturday, December 12, 2009
It's dry here now.
So, it's really dry here now. Like absolutely dry. Like Arizona dry. Not that I actually know anything about Arizona. Anyway, all the plants are dying except the trees that must have deep root systems because they stay green. The thorn trees (pronounced 'torn') actually put out their leaves during the dry season. All the water drys up, the stream becomes a sandy shallow ravine. Everyone finishes their farming and starts on dry season activities if they have any, if not, it's time to sit around and drink pito.
The aridity causes some problems for me personally although i like it overall. My heels do their best to split into little pieces, but i have plenty of moisturizer. My nose gets dry and irritated so i pick it in public, but that's not a problem here, it's the norm. It also gets really dusty and the soil is rocky and clay-y so the dust is Africa Red. After a long car ride on a dusty back road, everyone looks a little reddish. Smart people wear jackets and scarves to keep off the dust, I just wash my neck when I arrive. Also, when you finish a long ride it is quite satisfying to blow your nose and see all the dust that did not get into your lungs.
It's also been getting considerably cooler. I wrote the word "colder" but replaced it while thinking of you all buried in multiple feets of snow, I'm jealous. The temperature during the day still gets hot, but it takes longer to warm up, and the mornings are cool enough to want a longsleeve or even a light coat. My students take every opportunity to wear something over their uniforms to keep out the cold, but these days it's legit. But not at 2 pm. It is a stylish windbreaker, though.
The cat gave birth again! She is so fertile. This time, Evander popped out two little ones, an orange stripey and a gray stripey one. Good thing too, because she was way fat and annoying. This is number 3 and 4 since i've been here. Seems she gets pregnant every 6 months, it means i've been here for a year and a half. Mama cat is my buddy, but her other kids are wild and scardy and don't let us touch them except fleetingly. It's because she hid them as babies and i didn't get to play with them. That might happen to these new ones, too. Evander gave birth in the little enclosure where the hens keep their new chicks, so the chickens, (also very fertile) are out. I'm sure mama cat will move her brood to a more secure location, like the garage.
I have some photos i wanted to post, but i forgot my pen drive at home, so next time. It's still all virusy, so i'll do my best. I'll take it to my friend at the internet cafe, but that sometimes results in a clean and empty pen drive so i'll upload the pics first.
My Mom, Dad, and Brother are coming to visit me here in Ghana. It is going to be so awesome. I haven't seen them in that long time. oh man wow.
Lots a Love,
-Toby
The aridity causes some problems for me personally although i like it overall. My heels do their best to split into little pieces, but i have plenty of moisturizer. My nose gets dry and irritated so i pick it in public, but that's not a problem here, it's the norm. It also gets really dusty and the soil is rocky and clay-y so the dust is Africa Red. After a long car ride on a dusty back road, everyone looks a little reddish. Smart people wear jackets and scarves to keep off the dust, I just wash my neck when I arrive. Also, when you finish a long ride it is quite satisfying to blow your nose and see all the dust that did not get into your lungs.
It's also been getting considerably cooler. I wrote the word "colder" but replaced it while thinking of you all buried in multiple feets of snow, I'm jealous. The temperature during the day still gets hot, but it takes longer to warm up, and the mornings are cool enough to want a longsleeve or even a light coat. My students take every opportunity to wear something over their uniforms to keep out the cold, but these days it's legit. But not at 2 pm. It is a stylish windbreaker, though.
The cat gave birth again! She is so fertile. This time, Evander popped out two little ones, an orange stripey and a gray stripey one. Good thing too, because she was way fat and annoying. This is number 3 and 4 since i've been here. Seems she gets pregnant every 6 months, it means i've been here for a year and a half. Mama cat is my buddy, but her other kids are wild and scardy and don't let us touch them except fleetingly. It's because she hid them as babies and i didn't get to play with them. That might happen to these new ones, too. Evander gave birth in the little enclosure where the hens keep their new chicks, so the chickens, (also very fertile) are out. I'm sure mama cat will move her brood to a more secure location, like the garage.
I have some photos i wanted to post, but i forgot my pen drive at home, so next time. It's still all virusy, so i'll do my best. I'll take it to my friend at the internet cafe, but that sometimes results in a clean and empty pen drive so i'll upload the pics first.
My Mom, Dad, and Brother are coming to visit me here in Ghana. It is going to be so awesome. I haven't seen them in that long time. oh man wow.
Lots a Love,
-Toby
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Novemberness
Around here it's the end of the wet season, the harvest is finishing, and people are eating well. It's the season of change, suddenly i can see 10 times as far because everyone cut down their millet. The grass is starting to get brown because it hasn't rained in a few weeks. Pretty soon it will officially be dry season. Then, no insects, no clouds, no work for most people and no water. Dry season is relaxing time unless you are a child, woman, or salaried worker (or a volunteer worker). It's the holiday season in the states, eh? We are getting together at the Tamale Sub Office for Thanksgiving and that should be fun, but otherwise, I'm focusing on teaching. I'm still teaching Science and ICT. Typing practice in the classroom and computer practicals in the afternoons in small groups since we have only 5 computers and thy are set up at the nearby catholic mission since we don't have electricity at our school. It works out, and the kids sure are excited about their computer time. So far, we have learned how to turn on the computer, use the mouse, click, double click, open and close windows, minimize and maximize windows, resize and move windows, and use microsoft paint. Paint is one of my favorite programs, and the kids are pretty excited when they realize they can draw on a computer. Mostly, though, they ask me how to erase. not sure why. The pen pal project with East Junior High in Wisconsin Rapids is going on again, too. My kids are going to write response letters to their american penpals. They love it.
Take care, love to all.
-Toby
Take care, love to all.
-Toby
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