it really is "com mek wi talk about barack obama" so no, i haven't forgotten how to spell or talk.
So Barack made his appearance in Ghana couple of days ago, and although it was only for a day, and there was no personal meet and greet with the big man like when President Bush came a year or so ago, it was still pretty DAMN awesome.
yeaaaahhhh boyeeeeee!!! VIP!
I went down to Accra the day before the big scheduled event just to make sure that I would be there in time; didn’t want to risk having my tro-tro break down and miss the Prez. So before I even talk about Obama, I want to talk about how AMAZING Accra is. I haven’t been to Accra since landing in Ghana because Accra scares me, anytime I hear stories of Accra it always involves robbery… by gun point, using machetes, or being dragged. Thus, I’ve stayed away… but I couldn’t miss this big event, so I stuffed all my money in my bra and off I went. So I guess Accra is just like any big main city in a developing country, but Accra is basically America. I walked into this place called Koalas, which is a grocery store, but I was just in amazement of all the things that they possessed inside… I literally stood with my mouth open drooling at their deli/meat department, their cheese aisle, and their bakery!! They have a coffee shop, casinos, night clubs, teppanyaki! a mall with a movie theatre, hot dog stands (unfortunately they didn’t have bacon wrapped hotdogs, I think if they did I would’ve died, literally.) and probably a million other things that I would consider amazing that you would just laugh at me about.
So Obamaaaaa!! We were to be at the US Embassy at 2 pm so we could get tickets to the event. [It was pretty cool because it was like a huge PCV reunion… seeing people from my group that I haven’t seen since training and meeting other volunteers.] Like most things in Ghana, there was a bunch of waiting; waiting to get our tickets, waiting in the bus outside the airport gates, waiting to go through the metal detectors, waiting for the big mans arrival, but seriously all the waiting, TOTALLY worth it. [Can I just add that everyone on Obama’s staff is ridiculously handsome… sure its probably their suit, seriousness, and the fact that they are secret service or something, but dammmmn. I can just imagine their pick up line… want to see air force one?] He finally arrived via helicopter and was put into a limo where he and the family made their debut!! And that’s not even the awesome part, in his speech he gave shout outs to peace corps volunteers!!
"I want to recognize our Peace Corps Volunteers who are here… you know Ghana, Ghana was the very first nation to host young people from the Peace Corps and for decades our two nations have formed vital partnerships & lasting friendships because of this program. So all of you in the Peace Corps you are doing an outstanding job & we're proud of you…”
“Young people of Africa… serve like these Peace Corps people, serve in communities, and harvest your energy & education to renew & build connections between the world.” -Barack Obama, July 11, 2009
Again, not even the awesome part… I got to see Obama and Michelle up close and personal! [And yes, he is so much more handsome in person and she is ridiculously beautiful as well!] I was too busy trying to get pictures that I didn’t even try to shake their hands, but I did try to get his attention by giving him the shaka… both unsuccessful because I was shaking so much that all the pictures are blurry and because I don’t think he saw my shaka. ): Oh wells, it was still a pretty damn awesome day and like my mom said my excitement for the year… unless going home for two weeks can upstage this?! but then again, i've matured and become a two beer queer... training for nothing... so i guess we shouldn't get our hopes up.
making their appearance, while dancers dance around them.
twi word of the day: mE ko mE shay OBAMAAA!! (i go to see obama!)
***more obama pictures to come once the internet gets faster.
so this is lake bosumtwi. i went as a chaperone (sorta) with addae and her school.
more deaf children. can't get enough of them.
yep, ghana is dirty.
these billboards were alllll over ghana. pretty awesome huh.
soooo, if anyone knows me, they know that i'm obsessed with bacon. and here, makes me think twice about eating pork in ghana. but i'm in accra again... getting my teeth checked (yea, peace corps gives you unwaxed floss... seriously, why even make unwaxed floss anymore, its horrible.) but anyways, i just had a bacon sandwich... mmmm, effen delicious!!!
