Greetings, friends and family!
Kaylee and I arrived safely in Ghana at 9:30am this morning, after quite the JFK airport fiasco. Our plane was supposed to depart at 4:50pm, but after being asked to switch gates twice due to mechanical problems, we finally got underway at 7:50pm. We were fed a decent chicken dinner, popped two sleeping pills, and did our best to get some vertical sleep for the nine hours we would spend in the air.
Kaylee and I were a bit surprised at the weather after landing: we had both donned our warmest attire for our layover in Brooklyn and then the sub-zero cabin temperatures en route, so we thought we would roast and die after exiting the plane. Although it is warm and humid, we were prepared for much more of a sauna-like climate. This time of year in Ghana is called Harmattan, where dry, dusty wind blows down from the Saharan Desert, blocking some sunshine and canceling out some humidity. We have been informed that come mid-March, we can expect a return to the sauna we were expecting.
Professor John Dodoo welcomed us with a warm embrace as we emerged from airport customs. He is one of the happiest guys we have ever met, and has been enthusiastically sharing his knowledge with us since we arrived. After a tour of the university campus by car (which, by the way, is twice the size of the city of Marshall), he brought us to his beautiful home, where his wife and cook had made us a truly remarkable dinner. Spicy stewed pork, seasoned chicken, rice, FRIED PLANTAINS, and the sweetest pineapple we've ever had. Stuffing our faces was an excellent segue for a nice long nap.
Tonight we plan to visit John's sister-in-law for supper. We are excited to make these acquaintances (a noted quality of Ghanian people is there eagerness to befriend others), as it will help our transition to this culture. So far, so good. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers: without it we simply could not do what we are doing.
By the way, for our West Coast readers, we are actually eight hours ahead of you on the clock. Midwesterners, that would be six. And Dan, that means four hours for you. :-)
God bless you all!
Kids! I'm so happy you're there! Everything from the meal to the hospitality makes me know how much you are enjoying yourself right now! Look forward to an address and pictures! Love you both so much! Momma
ReplyDeleteA three hour delay at JFK isn't a fiasco, it is known as "getting out early."
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you made it safely and that your frost-bitten extremities are no worse for the wear. It was a bit chilly in Brooklyn but at least you missed the (relatively minor) snow we had the next day.